Advertisement

'House of horrors' teen's secret YouTube videos uploaded before escape

The teenage girl who escaped her parents' "house of horrors" and raised the alarm for her and her siblings to be saved had a secret YouTube account.

The 17-year-old, who was one of 13 children living under the roof of parents David and Louise Turpin's home in Peris, California, had a YouTube account under an alias and uploaded a number of videos, some of which have been unearthed by Good Morning America.

Most of the clips are of the young girl singing songs she wrote herself. One video shows a pile of dirty clothes on the floor with some dirt staining the door. The family's two dogs are also seen entering the room.

Investigators said the two dogs were treated better than the children.

The teen sings from inside the Turpin home in California. Source: Good Morning America
The teen sings from inside the Turpin home in California. Source: Good Morning America

Good Morning America said the 17-year-old's last video on the account was uploaded just a week before she fled.

The Turpin parents were arrested on January 14 at their home which is located about 113 kilometres east of Los Angeles, after an emaciated teenage girl climbed out of a window of the house and called police.

Officers responding to the scene found her 12 siblings ranging in age from 2 to 29 inside, suffering from malnourishment, muscle wasting and other signs of severe abuse.

The family's two dogs seen in one of the YouTube videos. Source: Good Morning America
The family's two dogs seen in one of the YouTube videos. Source: Good Morning America

The Riverside County District Attorney's Office charged both parents with 12 counts of torture and numerous additional counts of abuse and false imprisonment. Mr Turpin is also facing a single charge of a lewd act against a child by force or fear.

Prosecutors last week added three counts of child abuse against both suspects and one new account of assault against Louise Turpin, according to the Desert Sun.

The Turpins are facing life sentences for multiple counts of torture and other felonies.

  • How the 'House of Horrors' kids are embracing their freedom revealed

  • Boarded up window and stained carpets: Inside the former home of US 'house of horrors' family

  • Chilling details emerge from journals of tortured 'house of horrors' children]

  • 'A case of human depravity': Court hears shocking details on treatment of 'house of horrors' children

  • Revealed: Inside Christian family whose children were found chained to their beds

A pile of clothes seen on the floor of a room in the home. Source: Good Morning America
A pile of clothes seen on the floor of a room in the home. Source: Good Morning America
The children with their parents at Disneyland. Source: Facebook/DavidLouise Turpin
The children with their parents at Disneyland. Source: Facebook/DavidLouise Turpin

Their parents have pleaded not guilty to all charges, including the new ones.

The preliminary hearing for the trial is set for May 14.

The family pictured at a wedding vow renewal ceremony. Some neighbours said they were unaware there were children in the house. Source: Facebook/David-Louise Turpin.
The family pictured at a wedding vow renewal ceremony. Some neighbours said they were unaware there were children in the house. Source: Facebook/David-Louise Turpin.
David and Louise Turpin appear in court. Source: AAP
David and Louise Turpin appear in court. Source: AAP