In an exclusive interview with Dr. Oz, Louise Turpin’s sister and cousin revealed that their childhood was filled with sexual abuse–and that the adults responsible for their well-being did nothing to stop it.
Turpin’s sister, Elizabeth Flores, and her cousin, Patricia, will appear on The Dr. Oz Show Tuesday to talk about their troubled home life. The pair claimed they and Louise were routinely abused by a trusted family member and that they were met with disbelief when telling their parents.
“Yes. So, a family member, a very very close family member that we’re with daily, abused all the cousins and it was just swept under the rug, I guess? You don’t talk about,” Flores said.
“If it comes up, it was like we were lying or something…so we just didn’t talk about it, and we were made to be around this person daily.”
However, Flores explained that mother didn’t intervene because she was also abused by the same family member and that she also depended on him financially. She believes the two factors might’ve also influenced her decision to not get involved.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, Riverside County police arrested David and Louise Turpin on January 15 after their 17-year-old daughter reportedly escaped from their Perris, California, home through a window and called police using a deactivated cell phone.
Authorities have accused the parents of withholding food, limiting the children’s use of the bathroom, and allowing them to shower only once a year. Authorities reportedly said the 13 Turpin children, who range in age from 2 to 29, have suffered physical and cognitive impairments due to the years of neglect.
Dr. Oz later asks Louise’s relatives what they would like to tell Louise if she were listening right now.
“There’s forgiveness for everybody,” Flores tells Dr. Oz, with Patricia adding that there’s “no excuse” for Louise’s alleged actions.
“I want her to know that she’ll always be my sister…I remember the old Louise I just want to know what happened. I want answers.”
[Featured Image: The Dr. Oz Show/Sony Pictures Television]
