Shivangi Sinha
In 2018, the Turpin siblings’ escape became possible because of Jordan Turpin’s extraordinary courage. After years of severe abuse, she fled the family home in Perris, California, and contacted authorities, which set the rescue of her siblings in motion. While her actions brought freedom, life afterward was far from easy, as Jordan later endured mistreatment within the foster care system as well. In 2021, she spoke publicly for the first time about her experiences, breaking her silence. Her role in securing her siblings’ freedom and the challenges that followed have since been highlighted in ABC’s ‘The Turpins: A New House of Horror.’
Jordan Turpin Fled Her Home to Get Help For Herself and Her Siblings
Jordan Turpin was born on November 16, 2000, while her parents, David and Louise Turpin, were living in Rio Vista, Texas. She had seven older siblings at the time, and five more children were born after her, but the household was anything but stable or nurturing. Jordan later described extreme and prolonged abuse, recalling that she and her siblings were often left alone for weeks without food. When food was provided, it was dropped off only once a week and was rarely sufficient. At times, her meals consisted of little more than ketchup, mustard, or ice.
The children were frequently restrained with chains, and even minor disobedience resulted in severe punishment. Basic needs, including bathing, were tightly controlled. By 2018, the family was living in Perris, California, and Jordan said the abuse had intensified. When her parents began planning another move, this time to Oklahoma, she realized she had to act. She had been quietly forming an escape plan for nearly two years. On January 14, 2018, Jordan fled the house late at night with one of her younger sisters. Although her sister became frightened and returned home, Jordan continued on alone.
She carried a cellphone taken from an older sibling and placed a call for help only after she could no longer see the house. A dispatcher stayed on the line with her for about 20 minutes as Jordan described how her siblings were chained and abused. Police soon found her; she was terrified and told them her parents would kill her if they discovered she had escaped. She also spoke about the unbearable conditions inside the home, including the overwhelming stench that sometimes made it hard to breathe. Within hours, in the early morning, Jordan and her siblings were rescued. She was 17 years old.
Jordan Turpin Helped in the Investigation Against Her Former Foster Parents
Jordan Turpin, along with most of her siblings, was immediately hospitalized after their rescue. She later recalled that her first meal there was macaroni and cheese with chicken nuggets. Because she was still a minor, Jordan was placed in foster care with Marcelino and Rosa Olguin, but it was not the fresh start she had hoped for. She experienced abuse in that home as well. She described it as confusing and frightening to endure trauma again alongside her siblings. After turning 18, Jordan was finally able to begin school. Although an assessment placed her at a third-grade level, she progressed quickly and caught up.
She also made friends for the first time outside her family. She shared that her friends often protected her when others asked questions and told others that she was too shy to respond to their questions. In April 2021, Jordan was moved to another foster placement, where she alleged she was cut off from her younger siblings and later forced out after visiting an older sister. While court records stated she was in college and living independently, Jordan has alleged this was untrue and that she was homeless at the time. Eventually, she regained stability, secured her own apartment in California, and enrolled in college.
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Jordan Turpin is Making a Name For Herself as a Content Creator Today
Jordan Turpin made her first public appearance in an interview with Diane Sawyer in November 2021. She was among the siblings who reported abuse within the Olguin foster household and assisted investigators, which ultimately led to the family’s arrest that same month. Since 2022, Jordan has been living in Southern California and remains deeply connected to her siblings. In October 2024, she and several of them filed a civil lawsuit against Riverside County, ChildNet, and Foster Family Network, which is still awaiting resolution.
Jordan has since built a stable and independent life. She launched a career as a content creator on platforms such as TikTok and Instagram, where she has amassed a large following of around 355,000 on Instagram alone. She frequently expresses gratitude to those who supported her and has shared her hope of becoming a motivational speaker to help others through her story. Jordan has also worked as a model, collaborating with agencies including Supermodel Sun Limited. On her 23rd birthday in November 2023, she launched Braveness, a merchandise line, with plans to expand into larger mental health–focused projects. She shares a particularly close bond with her sister Jennifer and has been equally supportive and encouraging of her other siblings as well.
