ulissa Turpin, one of 13 siblings rescued from California’s infamous abuse case, says the children removed from an Ohio home will face enormous challenges…but believes they can build new lives

As the heartbreaking allegations in Ohio’s so-called “House of Horrors” case continue to unfold, many are drawing comparisons to another devastating child abuse case that shocked the nation: California’s infamous Turpin family case, in which 13 siblings endured years of horrific abuse and neglect.

One of the surviving Turpin children says the 16 children rescued from the Ohio home accused of severe abuse face a difficult road ahead…but one she believes they can overcome.

In an exclusive interview with NewsNation senior reporter Brian Entin for Elizabeth Vargas Reports, Julissa Turpin, one of the 13 Turpin siblings rescued from years of abuse and captivity in Perris, California, reflected on the similarities between her family’s case and the ongoing prosecution involving the Siders family in Vinton County, Ohio.

“I think that that is really dumb,” Turpin said when asked by Brian Entin, about Ohio mother Elizabeth Siders’ claim that she, too, was a victim of abuse by her husband and whether that should affect her efforts to regain contact with her children. “I do not think I’ve seen people saying, ‘Oh, she’s the victim,’ or whatever. It’s OK if she can be a victim, but that does not give her any slack whatsoever. I believe my mom was a victim, but that does not give her any excuse to do what she did to her kids.”

The Ohio case has drawn national attention after authorities removed 16 children from a Hamden home in June, alleging they endured years of severe neglect and isolation. Elizabeth Siders, along with her husband and in-laws, have pleaded not guilty to numerous child endangerment charges. She has also sought contact with her children while the criminal case against her proceeds to a grand jury.

Turpin said she understands firsthand how difficult the healing process can be after years of isolation.

“It literally is, like, so hard to adjust,” she told Entin. “For these kids in Ohio, them coming out into this world when they’ve been isolated their whole life is…it’s gonna be hard. As much as I wish I could be, like, ‘It won’t be that hard, it’ll be easy.’ That’s not the case. It’s gonna be really hard to adjust, but it’s definitely possible, and it’s definitely possible for them to get the healing and everything that they need.”

Turpin also recalled the overwhelming emotions she experienced after escaping her own family’s home in 2018.

“When I got out, it was a little bit intimidating, but I was so happy,” she said. “Just being able to see a tree, just being able to breathe in fresh air, that literally felt like heaven to me.”

She described how years of confinement left her unfamiliar with many aspects of everyday life, including friendships and simple social interactions.

“I thought that people having friends and neighbors talking to each other—I thought that was fake, or just stuff that’s in the movies,” Turpin said. She added that hearing strangers ask, “How are you?” felt foreign because she could not remember adults in her childhood ever asking about her well-being.

Turpin also spoke candidly about the emotional toll of seeing her mother, Louise Turpin, during court proceedings after the rescue.

“I didn’t ever know my mom,” she said. “The only time I ever saw her face pretty much was when she was coming towards me to abuse me or beat me up.” She said attending court hearings made it difficult to begin healing because each appearance brought renewed anxiety.

Despite those painful memories, Turpin said recovery is possible with the right support. Her message to the Ohio children was one of hope: while adjusting to life outside years of alleged abuse will not be easy, she believes healing is achievable.

SOURCE: https://lamag.com/crimeinla/turpin-survivor-says-ohio-house-of-horrors-children-face-difficult-road-but-healing-is-possible/