"We came close to dying many times." Two sisters tell for the first time the hell and torture of the house of horrors

By Minyvonne Burke -

Two of the Turpin sisters, who along with their 11 brothers were held captive for years before escaping in 2018 from the so-called

in Perris, California, have told for the first time the nightmare of abuse and torture they suffered locked up for their parents, David and Louise Turpin.

"

" said one of the sisters in a preview of a special edition of the

television show

with Diane Sawyer on ABC.

Disturbing details about the case came to light in January 2018, after one of the daughters managed to escape her home and called 911 using a mobile phone she had brought with her.

The girl, who was 17 at the time, told police that her brothers and sisters were being held by their parents and that

, investigators said.

The Turpin sisters during their interview with journalist Diane Sawyer Capture via NBC News

The officers who came to the scene initially thought it was a girl rather than a teenager because she was emaciated and emaciated.

When police arrived at the home, they

," according to investigators.

Some of the children were tied to their beds and furniture with chains and locks.

Many of them told police they were "

" according to the Riverside County Sheriff's Department.

In the interview, the girl who called 911 talks about the courage she gathered to escape after years of torture.

"

" he said.

“It was literally now or never.

If something happened to me, at least I died trying, "he added.

Riverside County Prosecutor Mike Hestrin said the abuse began as neglect during the 17 years the family lived in Fort Worth, Texas, and escalated when they moved to California in 2010.

The couple's youngest son was the only one who appeared not to have been abused.

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According to prosecutors, the children received only one rationed meal a day and were allowed to shower once a year.

They were punished for things like playing in the water while washing their hands;

without access to the bathroom for months.

David and Louise Turpin also cooked cakes and did not let children eat, and bought toys but refused to allow children to open them.

The children spent most of their time at home, but occasionally took family trips, including one where they went to Las Vegas, Nevada, for their parents' vow renewal.

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Authorities said that

, but always accompanied by his mother.

In 2019, parents each pleaded guilty to 14 counts of torture, abuse of dependent adults, endangering of children and illegal detention.

They were sentenced to life imprisonment.