The California parents accused of shackling and starving their 13 children appeared stone-faced and disheveled in court on Thursday afternoon.

David Allen Turpin, 57, and Louise Anna Turpin, 49, both pleaded not guilty to a slew of charges including torture and child endangerment for the heinous conditions their children allegedly suffered.

“There are 38 counts, so it’s a very serious case,” David Turpin’s lawyer, David Macher, said after the arraignment at Superior Court of Riverside County.

“My estimate is they could spend the rest of their lives in prison, so that’s a very serious business.”

The lawyer also said that his team will “provide a vigorous defense” for David.

“Our clients are presumed to be innocent and that’s a very important presumption,” Macher added.

“The case will be tried in court. It will not be tried in the media.”

Louise Turpin was defended by Jason Moore.

Both agreed to wave their rights to a preliminary hearing following the next court date, which will be a felony settlement conference on Feb 23.

Bail was set at $12 million.

The horror story from their southern California home was revealed this week after their 17-year-old daughter escaped from the house and called 911.

Police said they arrived to discover 12 other malnourished and captive siblings inside the home.

Additional reporting by Joe Tacopino