'Close to death': Children from Turpin 'house of horrors' speak for first time
Children who grew up in the Turpin family's infamous "house of horrors" have spoken about their years in "hell" for the first time.
California couple David and Louise Turpin were jailed for life in 2019 after pleading guilty to torturing and imprisoning their children for years.
Their shocking abuse was only ended when their then-17-year-old daughter Jordan managed to escape the house and call 911, in January 2018.
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Jordan Turpin is set to speak about her escape from her parents' California "house of horrors" for the first time. ABC US
Now, Jordan and one of her sisters have spoken to ABC US in a special set to air this month.
In a preview of the special, Jordan speaks about the moment she made the call that changed her and her siblings' lives.
"My whole body was shaking," she said, tearing up.
"I couldn't really dial 911 because ... I'm sorry.
READ MORE: California's 'House of Horrors' couple jailed for life as kids speak out
David and Louise Turpin were charged in January 2018 with torture, false imprisonment, child abuse and cruelty of their 13 children.The US couple's crimes were exposed after one of their emaciated children escaped out a window and called police.The Turpins only allowed the children – aged between 2 and 29 - to shower once a year, shackling them to furniture, restricted their toilet use and repeatedly beat them. The couple were sentenced to life in prison in April this year. Supplied
"I think it was coming so close to death, so many times."
She said it was a "now or never" situation.
"If something happened to me, at least I died trying."
Jordan can also be heard talking to a police deputy en route to the house.
"My two little sisters right now are chained up," she said.
"Where are they chained up at?" the officer asks.
"On their bed," Jordan replies.
READ MORE: House of Horrors children didn't understand what medicine was
David and Louise Turpin have been jailed for life in California. AP
Asked what her parents will do when they find out she left, Jordan said, "they're going to want to literally kill me".
Bodycam footage is also shown of the police entrance into the home.
As revealed shortly after the rescue they found 13 of the Turpins' children, showing signs of malnourishment and living in putrid conditions.
READ MORE: Inside the 'filthy' home where 13 siblings were 'tortured'
The Turpin family home, where the children were tortured. Supplied
Police initially believed all the captives were underage due to their condition, and were shocked to find out some were adults.
Shackles, chains and cages were also found in the home.
The ABC special will air in the US on November 19.
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