The 13 emaciated children were discovered “shackled to their beds with chains and padlocks in dark and foul-smelling surroundings”.
Police were called to the home in Perris, California, after a 17-year-old escaped and called the police after finding a mobile phone in the house.
California torture family: Who are the Turpin family and were the children tortured?
The parents were led away in handcuffs after police swooped on their large bungalow at around 7.30am on Sunday morning.
It is believed the Turpin children – aged between two and 29 years old – had been held captive at the House of Horrors since they moved to the area in 2010.
The seven adults were reportedly so severely malnourished they resembled teenagers when they were found on Sunday.
But it can now be revealed that less than 12 hours before they were arrested, David Turpin, 57, and Louise Turpin, 49, told friends they were “getting ready to leave town”.
A source told Mirror Online: “I saw them about 7 or 8pm on Saturday. They said they needed to say ‘goodbye’ because they were getting ready to leave town.
“They didn’t say where or when they were going.
“I couldn’t believe it when I saw their pictures on the TV two nights later.”
Another source said: “It raises the question of whether the Turpins were saying ‘goodbye’ for another city, or whether they were plotting to end their lives entirely.”
The Turpin family had been battling debt problems for years – having been forced to flee their last homes in Texas after banks repossessed their properties over outstanding payments.
Father David also lost his lucrative job with Lockheed Martin in 2010, as credit card debt mounted – forcing them to declare bankruptcy in 2011.
The couple are believed to have had around £175,000 in unpaid debt.
David and Louise were arrested and charged with nine counts of torture and 10 counts of child endangerment.
Riverside County Sheriff Department Captain Greg Fellows said there is “no indication of mental illness” in relation to Mrs Turpin but repeatedly stressed the investigation is ongoing.
He also confirmed the authorities had “no previous contact” with the Turpin family.
But he revealed “at least a couple” of the victims were chained to furniture when police arrived and the Turpins could offer no explanation as to why this was the case.
Captain Fellows also commended the “bravery” of the teenager after she climbed “through a window” in a desperate bid to help rescue her brothers and sisters.
He said: ”I am very saddened to report on such a heartbreaking case. Just before 6am a 17-year-old called deputies from a deactivated phone.
“Deputies responded and she explained she had escaped through a window.
“She also showed some photos which proved what she was saying was accurate.”