Parenting YouTuber Ruby Franke and her business partner Jodi Hildebrandt have been sentenced to prison after pleading guilty to child abuse charges. The charges stemmed from an incident where one of Franke’s children escaped Hildebrandt’s house and sought help from a neighbor. Each could face up to 30 years in prison, the most severe penalty under Utah law.
Franke received four consecutive prison terms, while Hildebrandt received the same sentence. Each term could range from one to 15 years, with the Utah Board of Pardons and Parole determining the actual prison time. Franke has 30 days to appeal the decision.
Initially charged with six counts of aggravated child abuse, both women faced potential penalties of one to 15 years in prison and fines up to $10,000 per count. State prosecutor Eric Clarke described the environment Franke’s children endured as “concentration camp-like,” accusing Franke of committing “horrible acts of child abuse.”
Both women addressed the court before sentencing. Hildebrandt expressed willingness to accept an appropriate sentence, while Franke admitted to causing injuries to her children, attributing her actions to a belief in the world’s evil nature and her payment to Hildebrandt as a mentor.
In December, Franke pleaded guilty to four counts of child abuse, acknowledging the torture inflicted on her children. She agreed to testify against Hildebrandt and serve consecutive prison terms as part of her plea deal.
Hildebrandt also pleaded guilty to four counts of child abuse, admitting to either participating in or being aware of the abuse. The crimes were motivated by religious extremism, according to Washington County Attorney Eric Clarke.
Franke’s harsh parenting methods had previously attracted criticism on YouTube. Her channel, “8 Passengers,” ended after seven years. Her husband, Kevin Franke, filed for divorce, expressing concern for their children’s well-being.
During sentencing, Franke’s family members blamed Hildebrandt for influencing her actions, describing Franke as brainwashed. Franke’s sisters, also YouTubers, shared videos discussing their separation from her.
Franke’s parents stated they had minimal communication with her, attributing her behavior to delusion and deep brainwashing.
The case of Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt
In conclusion, the case of Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of child abuse and the influence of religious extremism. It underscores the importance of recognizing and addressing such issues to protect vulnerable individuals and prevent future tragedies.
