CRIME
Disgraced Mommy Vlogger Ruby Franke Pleads Guilty To Child Abuse
Moms_Of_Truth/Instagram
Utah mother Ruby Franke, who once doled out parenting advice on her YouTube channel 8 Passengers, pleaded guilty on Monday to four felony counts of second-degree aggravated child abuse.
Franke was charged in September with six felony counts connected to abusing and starving two of her six children. She was arrested along with her business partner and fellow YouTuber Jodi Hildebrandt in August after one of her children escaped confinement.
Franke’s 12-year-old son escaped Hildebrandt’s home in Ivins, in southern Utah, on Aug. 30, and asked neighbors for help, food and water. The neighbor called 911 and reported the child appeared emaciated and malnourished, with open wounds and duct tape, around his wrists and ankles.
The boy told police that the women used ropes to tie him up, and they dressed the wounds with cayenne pepper.
Investigators learned that there were other children in similar condition. When officers arrived at Hildebrandt’s home, they found Franke’s 10-year-old daughter in similar condition, and she was also transported to the hospital.
The public safety department said that the Department of Child and Family Services was contacted, and in conjunction with the Springville Police Department, four or Franke’s minor children were taken into DCFS custody.
Both women were denied bail.
Franke’s attorneys at Winward Law released a statement on Friday that she intended to make a plea agreement taking responsibility for the part she played in the events leading up to her incarceration, but largely blamed Hildebrandt for the abuse.
“Ruby Franke is a devoted mother and is also a woman committed to constant improvement,” the law firm said in a statement. Franke believed that Hildebrandt “had the insight to offer a path to continual improvement,” but Hildebrandt “took advantage of this quest and twisted it into something heinous.”
Hildebrandt “systematically isolated Ruby Franke from her extended family, older children, and her husband, Kevin Franke,” the statement said. This prolonged isolation resulted in Ms. Franke being subjected to a distorted sense of morality, shaped by Ms. Hildebrants [sic] influence.
The statement also said that Franke is aware her husband has filed for divorce.
“She acknowledges and understands his anger and reasoning,” the statement said. “Despite the pain, she respects his decisions and remains hopeful that, with time, she can contribute to rebuilding trust and fostering understanding within their family.”
Franke rose to prominence several years ago for her parenting advice channel, which featured her husband, Kevin, who has not been charged, and their six children. Some viewers reported them over the years for what many considered overly strict parenting. The channel, which had more than 2 million subscribers, was removed from YouTube earlier this year.
Since then, Franke had appeared on Hildebrandt’s channel, where the pair offered parenting, relationship, and other life advice they said centered the value of honesty. Just days before their arrests, the women appeared in their last YouTube video together.
Judge John J. Walton accepted Franke’s plea agreement and scheduled sentencing for Feb. 20. Hildebrandt’s next court appearance is scheduled for Dec. 27.
TMX contributed to this article.
