Turpin Siblings Break Silence in The Turpins: A New House of Horrors
Diane Sawyer sits down with Julissa, Jolinda, and James Turpin for ABC’s true-crime special, The Turpins: A New House of Horrors. The program marks the first occasion some of the siblings have publicly spoken about the abuse they endured at the hands of their parents, David and Louise Turpin, and about the foster care placement that followed. The project is part of a wave of fresh true-crime documentaries arriving on Hulu and Disney+ in the United States starting February 4.
The Turpin saga began to unfold in January 2018 when 17-year-old Jordan Turpin escaped the Perris, California home and called authorities to report the abuse faced by the Turpin children. Investigators found a disturbing scene: malnourished kids, some bound to beds for extended periods.
In February 2019, David and Louise Turpin were charged with 14 felonies, including child abuse, torture, and false imprisonment. They were each sentenced to life in prison and will not be eligible for parole until 2044.
A New House of Horrors isn’t Sawyer’s first dive into the Turpin story. She previously spoke with Jennifer and Jordan Turpin in 2021 for Escape from the House of Horror. In October 2019, she also spoke with three younger siblings—James, Julissa, and Jolinda—about their childhoods and the abuse several Turpin children faced from a foster father.
Many Turpin siblings have since reached adulthood and live independently after leaving the foster system. Julissa and Jolinda recalled their time with abusive foster parents, Marcelino and Rosa Olguin, who had adopted six Turpin children, including Julissa, who was 11 at the time.
Julissa told Sawyer that Marcelino once called her “sexy” and later subjected her to physical assault. She described feeling unsafe and uncomfortable in the home, explaining how the situation left her with a lasting sense of insecurity.
In 2024, Marcelino pleaded guilty to lewd and lascivious acts against a child under 14 and received seven years in prison, while Rosa received four years of probation.
Jennifer Turpin, now 37, tied the knot in 2024 with her longtime partner Aron in California, sharing the news with a celebratory Instagram post about finding “the most amazing guy.”
Jordan Turpin, 25, has built a following as a TikTok influencer with about 1.7 million followers, posting fashion content and participating in viral trends. She remains close with Jennifer, with recent photos together at Disneyland in August 2025.
James Turpin, also 25, told Sawyer he still longs for a normal upbringing but has learned to adapt. “I’ve always wished for normal parents or someone I could rely on, but I’ve got the internet now, so it’s okay,” he said.
For more true-crime updates, you can explore related pieces like The Secrets We Bury, the cancellation of To Catch a Predator, and the current status of Tyria Moore.