A powerful new television special hosted by legendary anchor Diane Sawyer is set to shed further light on the harrowing and ongoing plight of the Turpin siblings, whose case shocked the world in 2018. The programme, titled The Turpins: A New House of Horror – A Diane Sawyer Special Event, premieres on Tuesday, 3rd February 2026, at 10 p.m. Eastern Time on the ABC network.
Revisiting a Notorious Case of Abuse and Neglect
The Turpin family first captured global headlines eight years prior, when authorities conducted a dramatic rescue of 13 siblings from their family home in southern California. The children, whose ages ranged from just two years old to 29, were discovered living in conditions of extreme squalor and deprivation. Investigations revealed a pattern of severe abuse, including starvation, prolonged confinement, and being shackled to furniture as punishment. Tragically, 12 of the 13 siblings were found to be malnourished and had suffered both physical and sexual abuse at the hands of their parents.
New Testimonies Highlight Systemic Breakdown
While Diane Sawyer first interviewed two of the Turpin siblings in 2021, this latest special promises to deliver even more devastating revelations. For the first time, three additional siblings will speak publicly about their experiences after being placed into the state's foster care system. Their testimonies are expected to detail a profound failure of the very social services structures designed to protect vulnerable children, alleging that they faced further abuse and continued to live in horrible conditions despite being removed from their family home.
This development underscores a deeply troubling narrative of systemic breakdown. Reports indicate that, astonishingly, some of the children were still "living in squalor" years after their rescue, despite an influx of public donations totalling approximately $600,000 intended for their care and welfare. The special will explore how these donated funds were managed and why the promised safety net appears to have failed them so catastrophically.
Broadcast Details and Availability
Following its initial broadcast on ABC, the one-hour interview special will be made available for streaming from the following day, Wednesday 4th February. Viewers will be able to access it on popular platforms including Disney+ and Hulu, ensuring the story reaches a wide audience. The programme aims not only to document the siblings' ongoing trauma but also to provoke a serious national conversation about accountability and reform within child protection services.
