Marcelino Olguin, a 65-year-old California man, has been sentenced to seven years in prison for abusing foster children placed in his care, including some who had previously suffered torture at the hands of their parents.
Olguin pleaded guilty to lewd acts on a child, false imprisonment, and injuring a child. His wife, Rosa, and adult daughter, Lennys, also pleaded guilty to child cruelty and received four years of formal probation.
Riverside County District Attorney Mike Hestrin stated, “Today’s sentencing marks a significant step in delivering justice to the victims who endured unimaginable abuse. These children were placed in a position of vulnerability after surviving intense trauma, only to be further exploited by someone who was entrusted with their care.”
The Olguin family was tasked with caring for the children after they were rescued from their parents, David and Louise Turpin, who pleaded guilty to torture and abuse in 2019. The Turpin parents were sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 25 years.
A victim’s advocate read a statement from one of the Turpin children, who had stayed in the Olguins’ home, saying, “All I wanted was to finally have a loving family and to recover from my trauma, but unfortunately I did not receive that.”
The victim is still recovering and learning to trust but forgives the family in an act of faith.
Attorneys representing some of the Turpin children filed a civil lawsuit against Riverside County, alleging the Olguins abused minors in their care. The lawsuit claims the couple physically and emotionally abused the children, including hitting them with sandals, pulling their hair, and forcing them to eat their own vomit.
Paul Grech, Marcelino Olguin’s lawyer, said, “My client saved his family,” referring to the plea arrangement that spared the women prison time. Kia Feyzjou, Lennys Olguin’s representative, noted that some allegations may have been exaggerated, but winning the case would have been difficult due to public scrutiny.
Doug Ecks, Rosa Olguin’s representative, stated, “When there was a resolution that involved no custody, that seemed in the best interest of everybody.”
The Epoch Times/NGG
