Lawyers for the seven adult Turpin children have given an update on their progress following their escape from the ‘house of horrors’.
CBS News reports that the seven adults – who along with their six younger siblings were tortured and starved by their parents – are being exposed to modern day joys such as Harry Potter movies and iPads.
According to the news website, the adult children are being treated at a California medical centre, while the younger children have been split between two foster homes.
Their parents, David and Louise Turpin are due to appear in court again for a procedural hearing almost six weeks after they were arrested and charged with torturing and starving their 13 children.
Lawyers Jack Osborn and Caleb Mason are representing the adult children and say they are learning to make decisions on their own for the first time.
“That in itself is a new experience for them, understanding that they do have rights and they do have a voice,” said Mr Osborn. “That’s a big deal, deciding what they’re going to read, deciding what they’re going to wear, these are all things that are decisions they make every day that are new and empowering.”
Corona mayor Karen Spiegel said staff talk about “how warm and loving these kids are and so appreciative.”
“Some of them have never really seen a toothbrush before. … Things that we just take for granted mean so much to these kids.”
It is believed that the 13 siblings have not reunited since they escaped the house of horrors but communicate using Skype.
The older siblings are to said to have asked to go to the beach, the movies or the mountains and some have expressed interest in attending university.
“I just want you to understand just what special individuals they are,” Mr Osborn said. “They all have their own aspirations and their own interests and now they may have an opportunity to address those, which is really exciting.”
The Turpin parents have been charged with 12 counts of torture and David has also been charged with forcefully performing a lewd act on a child under the age of 14.
They have denied all charges.
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