Six siblings from the Turpin family will share a $13.5 million legal settlement after alleging that they experienced harm while placed with foster caregivers approved by Riverside County and a contracted foster family agency.
The settlement, reached near the end of 2025, resolves a civil lawsuit filed against Riverside County and ChildNet, the private agency responsible for overseeing the foster placement. Court documents show that Riverside County will contribute $2.25 million, while ChildNet will pay $11.25 million.
The agreement was obtained by Southern California News Group and confirmed by county officials. Five of the six siblings are now adults, and each will receive an equal share of the settlement before attorney fees are deducted.
County representatives stated that Riverside County’s portion of the settlement is not covered by insurance.
Background of the Turpin Case
The Turpin siblings first came to national attention in 2018, when law enforcement intervened at their family home in Perris, California, after one of the children sought help from authorities. Thirteen siblings were removed from the home and placed under county supervision.
Following their rescue, the children became dependents of the county’s child welfare system. Six of the siblings were later placed together with foster caregivers approved through ChildNet, a nonprofit agency contracted by Riverside County to manage foster placements.
At the time of that placement, all six were minors.
Foster Placement and Subsequent Legal Action
According to court filings, the six siblings were placed with foster caregivers in mid-2018, approximately three months after being removed from their parents’ custody. Over time, concerns emerged regarding their treatment in that home.
In 2022, attorneys representing the six siblings filed a civil lawsuit alleging that both Riverside County and ChildNet failed to adequately protect them. The lawsuit claimed that warning signs were missed and that oversight mechanisms did not function as intended.
The legal action named both the county and the foster family agency, asserting that their shared responsibilities included monitoring placements, responding to concerns, and ensuring that children in care were safe.
Criminal Proceedings Involving Foster Caregivers
Separate from the civil lawsuit, criminal proceedings were brought against members of the foster household.
Court records show that in 2024, one foster caregiver was sentenced to state prison after pleading guilty to multiple felony charges involving inappropriate conduct with minors. Two other household members entered guilty pleas to charges related to child mistreatment and were sentenced through alternative custody programs.
Authorities have confirmed that these criminal cases are final and are not part of the civil settlement, though the outcomes were central to the lawsuit’s claims.
Settlement Details and Distribution
Under the terms of the settlement, the six siblings will each receive approximately $2.25 million before legal fees. Attorneys representing the siblings described the agreement as a measure of accountability rather than a resolution of harm.
The settlement does not include an admission of wrongdoing by either Riverside County or ChildNet.
A spokesperson for Riverside County said the agreement allows all parties to avoid prolonged litigation while enabling the county to focus on improving its child welfare systems.
Media Interview and Public Disclosure
Public awareness of the settlement increased following a televised interview in which three of the siblings spoke about their experiences in the foster home. The interview aired shortly before the settlement was publicly confirmed.
In that interview, the siblings described an environment they said felt unsafe and emotionally damaging. Their statements were presented as personal accounts and not as findings of the court.
Attorneys for the siblings stated that the interview helped highlight broader concerns about foster care oversight and the importance of listening to children placed in protective systems.
Dispute Over Oversight and Records
Attorneys involved in the lawsuit stated that obtaining records from ChildNet during the litigation process was difficult. According to legal filings, county officials and investigators also encountered resistance when requesting documents related to the foster placement.
Riverside County later ended its contractual relationship with ChildNet following the revelations that emerged during the investigation and court proceedings.
ChildNet, in a written statement, acknowledged the hardship experienced by the siblings but denied responsibility for harm occurring after the foster care case was closed.
ChildNet’s Position
In a statement provided to Southern California News Group, ChildNet said that during the period when the siblings were officially under its supervision, no formal complaints or substantiated allegations were recorded regarding the foster placement.
The agency stated that the children received services, participated in treatment planning meetings, and demonstrated progress in academic and emotional development during that time.
ChildNet further asserted that oversight responsibilities ended after the foster caregivers adopted several of the siblings, at which point the agency no longer had legal authority over the household.
Attorneys’ Response to Agency Claims
Attorneys representing the siblings strongly disagreed with ChildNet’s characterization.
They argued that concerns about safety were raised during the foster care period and that the structure of caseworker visits made it difficult for children to speak freely. According to the lawsuit, interviews were sometimes conducted in environments where the children did not feel comfortable expressing concerns.
The attorneys contended that these conditions undermined the effectiveness of welfare checks and contributed to failures in early detection.
County Review and Systemic Findings
In response to public criticism, Riverside County previously commissioned an independent review of its handling of the broader Turpin case. The review was led by former federal judge Stephen Larson, who issued a detailed report examining county actions.
The report concluded that while county agencies provided certain services, there were systemic shortcomings in communication, coordination, and follow-up. The findings prompted the county to announce a series of reforms aimed at preventing similar failures.
Reforms Implemented by Riverside County
In a statement released alongside confirmation of the settlement, Riverside County outlined several changes implemented since the Turpin case, including expanded staffing, reduced caseloads, and improved coordination between child welfare services and law enforcement.
County officials said decision-making responsibilities are now shared across teams rather than assigned to individual workers. Interview protocols have also been revised to ensure children can speak privately without fear of being overheard.
The county reported that the number of caseworkers in its Children’s Services Division has increased significantly since 2022, and foster care placement options have been expanded.
Current Status of the Siblings
All six siblings have since been placed in supportive environments. Only one remains a minor. The others have completed high school, and some are pursuing higher education. One sibling has married.
In public statements, several of the siblings have expressed hope that their legal action will contribute to meaningful change within child welfare systems.
They have emphasized that their goal extends beyond compensation and includes preventing similar experiences for other children.
Broader Implications for Foster Care Oversight
Child welfare advocates say the case underscores the importance of rigorous oversight, transparent record-keeping, and trauma-informed practices when working with children who have already experienced harm.
Legal experts note that settlements of this magnitude often reflect institutional recognition of systemic risk, even when formal admissions are not made.
The Turpin settlement adds to ongoing national discussions about foster care accountability and the need for continuous evaluation of contracted service providers.
Conclusion
The $13.5 million settlement reached between six Turpin siblings, Riverside County, and ChildNet marks a significant moment in one of California’s most closely watched child welfare cases.
While the agreement does not erase the experiences described by the siblings, it brings formal closure to years of litigation and has already led to structural changes within the county’s child welfare system.
As Riverside County continues to implement reforms, advocates and officials alike say the lasting impact of the case will be measured by whether future children in care are better protected.
Sources
- The Press-Enterprise
- Southern California News Group
- Riverside County public statements
- California court records