California: The couple who tortured their children in "the house of horror" was sentenced to life imprisonment

A California court sentenced on Friday to life imprisonment of the couple who, for years, confined and tortured 12 of their 13 children at home.

Judge Bernard J. Schwartz pronounced sentence against David Turpin, 57, and Louise Turpin, 50, at a hearing attended by two of their biological children, victims of abuse and abusewho reads the testimonies of the senses.

The Turpin had declared guilty on February 22 of 14 crimes, including torture, child abuse and kidnapping, and his life arrest was scheduled.

"My parents have taken all my life, but I'm recovering"said one of the girls, identified as Jane Doe 4. "Everything is going for a reason and what could be very bad has made me stronger."

"I can not describe in words what we experienced growing up"said another of the children who identified as Joshua. "Sometimes I have nightmares about things we've experienced, my brothers being chained, but it is the past and it is the present. "

"I love my parents and I forgive them for all that they have done to us, "he continued.

David Turpin, wearing a brown shirt and a purple tie, and Louise, dressed in black, they cried while listening to the testimonies.

The couple was arrested in January 2018 after one of her daughters, then aged 17, managed to escape the "house of horror", located in Perris, southeast of Los Angeles, and call the police.

Both they will be able to apply for parole in 25 years.

The parents were accused of torture, kidnapping and child abuse to 12 of their 13 biological children, who beat and strangled, in addition to keeping them malnourished, to enable them a shower a year and never take them to the doctor or dentist.

"I'm really sorry for everything I've done to my children, I love them very much"she said holding back tears in a statement before hearing her sentence.

"I never wanted to hurt them"he said. "I pray that you stay together and take care of each other because dad and mom can not be here."

The 13 brothers are in the care of the County protection services for children and adults.

The prosecutor said that he had asked the Turpin to plead guilty to prevent the 12 children from testifying against their parents.