NEWS
Parenting YouTubers Ruby Franke, Jodi Hildebrandt Arrested On Suspicion of Child Abuse
Courtesy of moms_of_truth via Instagram
A once-popular parenting YouTuber in Utah was arrested on suspicion of child abuse on Wednesday along with another YouTuber with whom she collaborated, police said.
Ruby Franke, whose former YouTube channel “8 Passengers” featured her family offered parenting advice, was arrested late Wednesday in Ivins, in southern Utah. She was apprehended at the home of Jodi Hildebrandt, owner of counseling service ConneXions Classroom, who was also arrested.
According to a statement from the Santa Clara–Irvins Public Safety Department, police and EMS were dispatched at around 10:50 p.m. to respond to a report of a juvenile asking for help, including food and water. According to a police report, it was Franke’s 12-year-old son.
The caller said the child appeared “emaciated and malnourished, with open wounds and duct tape,” around his wrists and ankles, officials said. EMS transported the child to a hospital due to the severity of his condition.
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 minor children of Franke were taken into DCFS custody.
Franke rose to prominence several years ago for her parenting advice channel, which featured her husband, Kevin and six children, though 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 has appeared on Hildebrandt’s channel, where the pair offer parenting, relationship, and other life advice they say centers the value of honesty. Just days before their arrests, the pair of women appeared in their latest YouTube video together.
Both women were arrested on two counts of aggravated child abuse–intentionally or knowingly. Both women were denied bail and remained in custody Friday, according to the Washington county Sheriff’s Office.
Daughter Shari Franke, 20, commented on the arrest on Instagram, saying “finally.”
“Me and my family are so glad justice is being served. We’ve been trying to tell the police and CPS for years about this, and so glad they finally decided to step up,” Franke said.
“Kids are safe, but there’s a long road ahead,” she said. On Thursday, she asked her followers to share any “concerning ConneXions or 8Passengers videos.” She also encouraged her followers to report their Instagram accounts.
TMX contributed to this article.
