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| Turpin case: California couple deny torturing 'shackled siblings' | Turpin case: California couple deny torturing 'shackled siblings' |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The parents accused of holding their 13 children in shackles at a California home have pleaded not guilty. | The parents accused of holding their 13 children in shackles at a California home have pleaded not guilty. |
| David Turpin, 56, and Louise Turpin, 49, are facing charges of torture, abuse and false imprisonment. | David Turpin, 56, and Louise Turpin, 49, are facing charges of torture, abuse and false imprisonment. |
| They were arrested after their daughter escaped from their home where police found some of her siblings chained to their beds and severely malnourished. | They were arrested after their daughter escaped from their home where police found some of her siblings chained to their beds and severely malnourished. |
| The couple appeared in court hours after prosecutors detailed the horrific abuse allegations against them. | The couple appeared in court hours after prosecutors detailed the horrific abuse allegations against them. |
| Riverside County District Attorney Mike Hestrin said the couple had allegedly punished their children by tying them up - first using ropes and later chaining them to their beds with padlocks. | Riverside County District Attorney Mike Hestrin said the couple had allegedly punished their children by tying them up - first using ropes and later chaining them to their beds with padlocks. |
| He said the alleged punishments would last weeks or months, and intensified over time. | He said the alleged punishments would last weeks or months, and intensified over time. |
| The 'happy family' charged with torture | The 'happy family' charged with torture |
| Prosecutors said circumstantial evidence showed the children were not released from their chains to go to the toilet. | Prosecutors said circumstantial evidence showed the children were not released from their chains to go to the toilet. |
| The children, who are aged between two and 29 , have been treated in hospital since being freed on Monday. | The children, who are aged between two and 29 , have been treated in hospital since being freed on Monday. |
| Mr Hestrin detailed some of the gruesome allegations against the parents at a news conference on Thursday. | Mr Hestrin detailed some of the gruesome allegations against the parents at a news conference on Thursday. |
| Among the shocking claims: | Among the shocking claims: |
| The 2-year-old was of normal weight but the other children were severely malnourished, authorities said. | |
| The 12-year-old weighed as much as an average 7-year-old and the 29-year-old weighed only 82 lbs (37kg). | |
| Several of the children have cognitive impairment and "neuropathy, which is nerve damage, as a result of this extreme and prolonged physical abuse," Mr Hestrin said. | Several of the children have cognitive impairment and "neuropathy, which is nerve damage, as a result of this extreme and prolonged physical abuse," Mr Hestrin said. |
| Though little is known about their education, some of the children were able to read and write. Mr Turpin also registered a private school in their California home, known as Sandcastle Day School. | Though little is known about their education, some of the children were able to read and write. Mr Turpin also registered a private school in their California home, known as Sandcastle Day School. |
| Police have obtained hundreds of journals that the children were allowed to write in and are looking through them for evidence. | |
| Before moving to California, the family lived in Texas. | Before moving to California, the family lived in Texas. |
| At one point, the parents allegedly lived in a different house from their children and would drop off food from time to time, officials said. | At one point, the parents allegedly lived in a different house from their children and would drop off food from time to time, officials said. |
| If found guilty of the dozens of charges against them, the couple face 94 years to life in prison, Mr Hestrin added. | If found guilty of the dozens of charges against them, the couple face 94 years to life in prison, Mr Hestrin added. |
| Mr Turpin also faces one count of "lewd act on a child under 14 years of age". | Mr Turpin also faces one count of "lewd act on a child under 14 years of age". |
| Can anyone open a school at home in California? | Can anyone open a school at home in California? |
| The 13 children were found in an emaciated state in their filthy, foul-smelling house, police revealed earlier. Officers had at first thought all the children were minors but later realised some were frail and malnourished adults, they said. | The 13 children were found in an emaciated state in their filthy, foul-smelling house, police revealed earlier. Officers had at first thought all the children were minors but later realised some were frail and malnourished adults, they said. |
| Mr Hestrin said that when officers arrived, three of the couple's children were chained to their beds. | Mr Hestrin said that when officers arrived, three of the couple's children were chained to their beds. |
| The charges against David and Louise Turpin: | The charges against David and Louise Turpin: |