One of the Turpin siblings has said she awakes crying almost every day, following her escape from the ‘House of Horrors’ almost five years ago.
The 12 children made headlines around the world after they were discovered at their Californian home, after years of horrific abuse by their parents, David and Louise Turpin.
Investigators found that the siblings had been starved and often were shackled to their beds, with one stating that she still struggles to cope with daily life.
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Jordan Turpin bravely spoke about her ordeal in an interview with Elle magazine, and how it continues to affect every aspect of her life.
She admitted that she cries as she wakes up most days, telling the publication ‘I usually cry’ when describing her morning routine.
Now a TikTok influencer, she has focused using her days to build her brand and pushes herself to make content.
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“I try to get myself to eat. And then I start to do my makeup, but I cry, so I have to do it over,” she explained.
She continued: “And then I try to do a TikTok, but I'm like, 'Oh, people are going to say this and that about me. Then I'm like, 'Maybe I should get some air. I'm gonna go outside' . . . and then I just cry again.”
The trauma has deeply affected Jordan, who was just 17 years old when she fled through a window and raised the alarm.
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Despite leaving the family home over five years ago, the teenager still struggles with flashback and PTSD like symptoms.
Jordan confessed that she’s struggled to socialise with others after being isolated from the outside world as a child.
Describing herself as ‘scared of everyone’, Jordan found it difficult to adjust to life away from her foster home.
Although she eventually enrolled in community college and began a part time job at Taco Bell, she said that others wouldn’t understand.
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“I am super gentle. They would laugh and be like, 'Why is she like that?' I might have been annoying,” she said, speaking about her co-workers.
Just as she was beginning to build her confidence though, the pandemic struck – forcing her and her siblings back into isolation.
It then that Jordan found TikTok, with survivor quickly amassing an almost 1 million strong following thanks to clips of her performing viral dance routines.
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While life has been far from easy, Jordan is now considering a career in music after a chance meeting with Hailey Bieber and Charli D’Amelio.
“Right now, I kind of need a break from my past. I just want to start slowly,” she added.
Meanwhile, her siblings are still struggling with the lingering effects of their abuse as they build a life away from the horrors of their past.
In 2021, ABC news reported that her older siblings had nearly been brought to the ‘brink of homelessness’ after being denied access to over $600,000 (£498k) in public donations.
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During the investigation, Riverside County district attorney Mike Hestrin said that the children had 'been victimised again by the system'.
Around the same time, a foster family housing one of the Turpin siblings was investigated for alleged mistreatment of children.
Topics: True crime, Crime, US News, TikTok
Katherine Sidnell