It has been years since Jordan Turpin climbed out of a window in Perris, California, and changed everything. You probably remember the photos. That 2018 headline felt like a movie script, but it was a nightmare for thirteen siblings. People often ask about the turpin kids now because the story didn't end when the handcuffs clicked on David and Louise Turpin. Life after a decade of literal chains isn't a straight line. It's messy. Honestly, it’s a miracle they are standing at all.
They were starved. They were beaten. Some didn't even know what a pill was or what a police officer did. When they were rescued, the world cheered, assuming the government would just... fix it. That's not what happened. The transition from a "house of horrors" to the real world was paved with new traumas, bureaucratic failures, and a shocking lack of basic support.
The System Failed Them Again
Let’s be real. The "happily ever after" narrative was a lie for a long time. After the rescue, several of the younger Turpin children were placed in a foster home where they were allegedly abused again. Think about that. You escape your parents only to be placed with people who are now facing charges for chillingly similar behavior. It’s infuriating.
Riverside County officials faced massive scrutiny after an ABC News 20/20 investigation revealed that the siblings were living in squalor even after their rescue. Some of the older siblings were literally homeless. They were "cast into the wind," as one advocate put it. They had millions of dollars in donated funds sitting in a trust they couldn't access. They were hungry. Again.
It took a whistleblower and a massive public outcry to get the ball moving. Melissa Donaldson, the county’s director of victim services, admitted on camera that the system broke.
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Where the Turpin Kids Are Today
So, how are they actually doing?
Jordan Turpin is the name you see most often. She’s become something of a social media star. She has millions of followers on TikTok. She dances. She smiles. But she’s also very open about her "sad days." She has spoken about how she still struggles with the basics of social interaction. Imagine being 30 years old but having the social experience of a 10-year-old. That’s the gap she’s trying to bridge.
Jennifer Turpin is also finding her voice. She’s released music. She’s trying to build a career in the public eye. It’s a way of reclaiming the identity that was stripped from her for decades.
- The older siblings: Some have graduated from college. Some are working regular jobs. They are fiercely private, which makes total sense. They spent their whole lives being watched or trapped; they deserve some anonymity.
- The younger ones are still in the system or with kinship care, and their identities are protected.
- They all still see each other. That’s the most important part. They have a bond that nobody else on this planet can understand.
The Struggle for "Normal"
You can’t just flip a switch. When the turpin kids now walk into a grocery store, it isn't just shopping. It’s an sensory explosion. For years, they ate one meal a day—usually frozen PB&J sandwiches. They weren't allowed to wash their hands above the wrist. They weren't allowed to play.
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Healing is slow.
One of the older brothers reportedly spent years catching up on education. He was highly motivated. He wanted to be a software engineer or a lawyer. He wanted to understand the systems that failed him. That kind of resilience is rare. But the trauma remains. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) isn't something you "get over." You manage it.
The siblings have had to learn how to manage money, how to drive, and how to tell who is a real friend versus someone who just wants to be near a "famous" victim. It’s a lot for anyone, let alone someone who was chained to a bed for months at a time.
Why We Are Still Talking About This
The Turpin case changed how California looks at homeschooling. Before the rescue, David Turpin "registered" his house as a private school. No one ever checked. No one ever walked inside. No one saw the chains.
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There are still gaps in the law.
People follow the turpin kids now because they represent the ultimate survival. It’s not just about the horror of the past. It’s about the fact that Jordan can post a video of herself eating a peach—a fruit she maybe never saw fresh for 20 years—and it feels like a victory for everyone.
What You Should Take Away
The story of the Turpin siblings is a reminder that the "system" is only as good as the people running it. It’s a call to look closer at your neighbors. It’s a lesson in the power of the human spirit.
If you want to support survivors of similar situations, look into organizations like Childhelp or the National Center for Victims of Crime. These groups deal with the fallout when the cameras go away.
Actionable Steps for Awareness:
- Understand Mandatory Reporting: If you see something that looks like extreme isolation or neglect, don't assume someone else has called it in.
- Support Foster Reform: The Turpin kids' second trauma happened because of a lack of oversight in foster care. Support local legislation that increases the frequency of unannounced home visits.
- Respect Their Privacy: While Jordan and Jennifer are public, the other eleven are not. Avoid digging for their personal lives. Let them heal in peace.
- Educate on Trauma-Informed Care: If you work in education or healthcare, learn how to recognize the subtle signs of long-term confinement, which often look different from "standard" abuse.
The Turpin siblings are no longer just "the kids in the house." They are adults, students, artists, and survivors. They are living proof that your past doesn't have to be your ending, even if the road to get there is incredibly broken.