Horrors at home

The stomach-churning story of the Turpins, a seemingly normal smalltown American couple who imprisoned, tortured and starved their 13 children for years, has opened up a conversation about homeschooling in the US

David Turpin, 57, and his wife Louise, 49, with their 13 children who were beaten, starved and held captive in their home Pic: Rex

Until last Tuesday, Perris, California was just another unremarkable example of small town America, unknown except for its 90-acre Railway Museum where aficionados can enjoy jaunts in exquisite old wood-panelled train cars, pulled by steam locomotives that date back to the 1830s.

There are other attractions – skydiving from the local privately-owned airport, and hot air balloon rides that soar over Lake Perris and the San Jacinta mountains. The area around the man-made ...