Turpin family: Parents in court shackled together and ordered to stay away from children

The children were tied up with ropes after one escaped the parents used chains, it is claimed.

They would often be left chained up for months. 

David and Louise face close to 40 counts, which include torture, false imprisonment, abuse on a dependent and child abuse. 

The order prevents the couple from coming within 100 yard of their children or of making electronic contact with them. 

District Judge Emma Smith said in court: “You must not harass, strike, threaten, assault, follow, stalk, molest, destroy or damage property of or disturb the peace of, keep under surveillance or block the entrance of the people listed in the order.”

The pair tried to hide their chains with their lawyers insisting the video cameras in court did not show their metal shackles. 

The mother of the family, Louise, was even seen smiling when she was talking to her attorney Jeff Moore. 

All of the children had been found to have been subjected to “prolonged abuse” and not allowed to shower more than once a year. 

They were also forced to stay awake all night and sleep all day and their only allowed activity was to keep journals. 

The parents have pleaded not guilty to their charges and are due back in court in February. 

The 13 escaped children will not live together, but the six minors will be split up into two foster homes. 

The seven who are now adults, all of which have developmental issues, will be sent to an assisted living facility. 

Authorities were made aware of the shocking situation when a 17-year-old girl escaped from the house and called police using a mobile phone.

The 17-year-old is said to have been working on the plan for two years. She brought one of her siblings with her, but they got scared and turned back.

Officers thought she was a young child at first because she was so emaciated.

They assumed all the other siblings were children too but were shocked to discover seven of them were aged between 18 and 29. 

Each parent faces 94 years in prison if they are convicted.