A 42-year-old woman, Ruby Franke, known for offering online parenting advice on a YouTube channel, has been handed four consecutive prison sentences for aggravated child abuse charges. The sentencing, which took place on Feb 20, saw the judge ruling that each prison term ranges from one to 15 years.
In December, Franke had pleaded guilty to the charges brought against her. Her associate, Jodi Hildebrandt, who collaborated with Franke, also received a similar sentence on the same day. The particular duration of their sentences will be decided by the Utah Board of Pardons and Parole, with the goal of ensuring that none of them exceeds thirty years, which is the maximum amount of time that can be serving consecutive sentences according to state law.
During the sentencing hearing, Mr. Eric Clarke, the Washington County attorney, revealed disturbing details of Franke’s actions from May to August 2023. Franke, a mother of six, subjected two of her children, aged 9 and 11 at the time, to what was described as a “concentration camp-like setting.” She deprived them of adequate food, water, entertainment, and proper sleeping arrangements while keeping them isolated from others. Additionally, Franke forced her children to perform physically demanding tasks in intense heat without basic necessities like shoes, socks, or water. The children were subjected to standing on scorching concrete for prolonged periods, enduring beatings, and being regularly bound by their hands and feet, resulting in severe injuries that required hospitalization.
Mr. Clarke emphasized the severity of the situation, stating that one of the children had to escape and seek help from a neighbor to alert the authorities. Franke, who previously showcased her strict parenting methods on social media, was arrested alongside Hildebrandt on Aug 30, 2023. Law enforcement officers noted signs of malnourishment and physical abuse on Franke’s children, including open wounds and duct tape restraining their ankles and wrists.
Franke’s YouTube channel, “8 Passengers,” where she shared insights into her family life and disciplinary techniques, was subsequently removed from the platform. With nearly 2.5 million subscribers, the channel depicted Franke’s parenting approach, which included using food deprivation as a form of punishment.
Addressing the court during the sentencing hearing, Franke expressed regret for her actions, attributing her behavior to a misguided belief in a hostile world filled with deceitful authorities and harmful influences. She acknowledged her responsibility for the choices she had made, admitting to following misguided advice that led her down a destructive path.