Living conditions better since Turpins complained to ABC’s Diane Sawyer, attorney says – Orange County Register

The living conditions of adult Turpin children have improved since three of them went on national television in November to blame Riverside County for their trouble finding housing, training, and education. life skills and adequate food, their lawyers said on Thursday, January 13.

“I think it’s still in the works,” said Jack Osborn, of the law firm Brown White & Osborn, appointed by the Riverside County Superior Court to oversee the legal interests of seven adults. “The attention that has been given has helped them. Maybe some of the wheels are spinning now that weren’t before.”

County officials were unwilling to answer most questions about the care of the 13 Turpins, who have lived in terrible conditions because of their parents for years, citing privacy concerns and an independent investigation.

At some point, the county conservatorship of the Turpins ended. By law, conservation relations are supposed to be as restrictive as possible. If someone under conservatorship is incapable of making good choices, the judge can intervene.

Osborn spoke after a hearing in the Court of History, where Judge Kenneth J. Fernandez said he was inclined to ABC News to recommend unpublished records in the Turpin case, excluding medical records. and psychology, current and past addresses. At least five of Turpin’s adults wanted some or all of the information to be kept private.

The hearing, which only hears adult Turpins, continues until March 10. ABC News plans to submit additional arguments to dissect past addresses, its attorney said. .

In an interview, Osborn would not provide specific details about its customers to protect their privacy. But adults are allowed to make a lot of choices, he said. For example, the Turpins chose where to go to school and where to work.

“The thing to keep in mind is that their goal has always been to be independent, not to live somewhere they don’t want to live,” Osborn said. “In the early stages, they don’t have a choice for a lot of reasons. They need medical care, they need all sorts of things to get around on their feet.

“When they move from one situation to another, it is their choice,” he said. “Whether they’re the best places, that’s what they’ll have to tell you.”

“They are very strong thinkers and with that comes a lot of choices that can change their mind,” he said.

The Turpin case terrified many people In January 2018, it came to light: 17-year-old Jordan Turpin sneaked out of his home in Perris in the middle of the night – the day before the family was due to move to Oklahoma – and used his cell phone. her son to call 911.

Searching Turpins’ home, the sheriff found 12 of her siblings, ages 2 to 29, filthy, malnourished, some chained to beds, and all of the youngest children stunted in physical and mental development due to lifelong abuse. In the end, parents David and Louise Turpin each pleaded guilty to 14 felonies and were convicted up to 25 years life in state prison.

The seven grown Turpin siblings are placed in a county-supervised administration, with the minors going to foster homes.

In November, three members of a Perris family have been charged with the physical and psychological abuse of nine adopted children, five of whom, based on court records, appear to be members of the Turpin family.

On November 19, 2021, in an interview recorded in July, Jennifer, Jordan and Joshua Turpin told ABC’s Diane Sawyer on “20/20” that they were unable to receive life skills training, other services, and adequate housing and food from the Riverside County Public Guardian, who was designated adult conservator and supervisor. trusts control is said to have hundreds of thousands of dollars in it from public contributions.

Riverside County District Attorney Mike Hestrin, also on the same program, said adults are living in “criminal neighborhoods” and in “deserted places.” He said the system damaged the adult Turpins.

Hestrin also unwilling to answer most questions about the care of the Turpins.

Osborn emphasizes that the adults in Turpin are very happy.

“They are happy because they are independent,” he said. “That should be remembered – that they have improved a lot since the first day when the officer knocked on the door. It’s easy to focus on the bad, but our clients want people to understand they (don’t want to be seen as) the victim. “

Retired federal judge Stephen Larson has was hired by the county to investigate the care of the Turpins, with his report by March 31.

“The public has a right to understand what the broad issues here are,” Osborn said. “What goals did the district set and did they succeed?

“My view is that when you see all of that, you’ll be pleased that the county has done well in many ways, at least with adult children.”