TUCSON (KGUN9-TV) - Family and friends of Sophia and Fernando Richter testified during day five of the child imprisonment trial.
The Richters are accused of abusing Sophia's three daughters by keeping them in deplorable conditions, including not allowing them out of their rooms with no free access to the bathroom or shower, and feeding them only scraps.
Both Sophia's mother, Paula Kammon, and her sister, Michelle Pulido, testified that they had not seen any of the girls for a few years prior to their escape in November 2013.
Kammon and Pulido said Sophia told them she, Fernando and the girls moved to San Diego.
Pulido said Sophia was very convincing when they would talk over the phone. "She made us believe that she was living there, and how nice it was and just, you know, how they lived, and the girls were in programs, things like that," said Pulido.
Even people who saw the Richters all the time were blindsided to find out what they were doing behind closed doors.
Laura Templin testified she saw Sophia at least once a week. She said Sophia cleaned her house and Templin would take her grocery shopping. Templin said Fernando would come by to visit as well.
However, Templin said she had no idea the Richters had three children.
Templin also testified that she thought it was odd on their grocery trips when Sophia would buy bread and noodles in bulk, but only two steaks.
Testimony will continue Tuesday. The doctor who examined the girls after their escape is set to take the stand.
To read more about this story, including testimony from the three girls, click here.
