David and Louise Turpin were mum and dad.
They kept their children (all 13!!) imprisoned, chained to beds, starved, allowed to shower once a week, and abused for so many years.
In the sentencing hearing (clip below), they both said they “love” their children, regret abusing them, and “pray for their children”.
What I don’t understand is ... they seem genuine at court.
But how can you “love” your kids but dish out all this barbaric inhuman horrors?
As parents, there must be some part of them that actually loves their children (in the normal way)!?
I don’t get it.
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Documentary — “Inside the depraved world of David and Louise Turpin | 60 Minutes Australia”
I worked in Protective Services for many years and saw hideous situations, although not quite as horrid as the one you describe. Weren't the brutal child-control behaviours noticed before by teachers, neighbours or hospital staff? If endless reports were indeed made to authorities, did the police or courts not respond? With 13 children, why weren't the government or charitable organisations helping out at least with food.
ReplyDeleteI coped well with 2 children, although I did become tired often enough. But who could cope with 13 children! Those poor suffering children will carry their pain into the future.
The parents seemed not to send kids to school even. They just disappeared off the system and no-one had contact with them.
DeleteDisgusting behaviour from these parents. I don't understand how they could do that either. Does an abused person become an abuser - seems so at times as her sister said in the video.
ReplyDeleteIndeed, disgusting.
DeleteDiscipline and control taken to extreme limits and justified as keeping the children safe from the evils of the world. Horrendous.
ReplyDeleteHumanity is nasty.
ReplyDeleteManiacs
DeleteAfter I completed my art studies and my first career I joined my local authority and worked for 8 years in Childrens Services and Social Services until I retired. The worst case of child abuse that went on unnoticed for years was within a Plymouth Brethren family. I saw many situations of neglect and near starvation that went unreported by schools who one would have thought would have been first in line to see the neglect. And what of Victoria Climbie who was subject to horrific treatment but missed by all social workers and the school. There is a programme The Reunion on BBC Sounds where all involved discussed it. I was so shocked I had to stop the car because I was driving at the time. I think it should be compulsory listening for all involved in children's services.
ReplyDeleteHi Rachel.
DeleteI don't think we can always catch these maniac parents. If they're determined to abuse and get away with it, then they'll find loop-holes.
What I just don't get is why hurt and abuse your OWN kids to that extent. All parents are supposed to love their own at least - even if not others.
Horrid stuff.
Horrible
ReplyDeleteI'm also at a total loss to explain how human beings can become so cruel and sadistic. And yes, how come nobody seemed to notice what was happening until one of the daughters escaped and went to the police? The couple must have been very good at putting up a false front that fooled a lot of people.
ReplyDeleteHi nick
DeleteIf you watch the documentary they would put elaborate performances for people outside the family, then afterwards return to evil.
Poor kids. They need decades of mental help and support.
I definitely don't understand it either. I don't get how you can say you love your kid and treat them badly.
ReplyDeleteIt's biological fact that children whose emotional/ social needs are not met in infancy, the ones who are really seriously neglected or abused, just never are able to love. It would seem to me that these parents are some of those. Or maybe one was coerced by the other.
ReplyDeleteIt's horrific and the only way to stop these things is to identify who is at risk very early. Which I suspect is harder than it sounds