Ruby Franke, a mother of six from Utah who previously offered parenting guidance to a wide audience through a once-popular YouTube channel, delivered an emotional apology to her children for the physical and emotional mistreatment they endured. This apology came prior to a sentencing hearing where she faced the possibility of a lengthy prison term.
During the court proceedings, Franke expressed her acceptance of whatever sentence Judge John J. Walton deemed appropriate, refraining from seeking leniency. She took a moment to express gratitude towards local law enforcement, medical professionals, and social workers whom she referred to as the “angels” that intervened to protect her children. Franke attributed her actions to the influence of her former business partner, Jodi Hildebrandt, a mental health counselor initially hired to assist Franke’s youngest son before their professional collaboration took a dark turn. Hildebrandt, too, received significant prison sentences as a consequence of their actions.
Despite being sentenced to a maximum of 30 years behind bars under Utah’s sentencing regulations, Franke and Hildebrandt may have their terms reconsidered based on their conduct while incarcerated by the Utah Board of Pardons and Parole.
The charges against Franke and Hildebrandt stemmed from instances of aggravated child abuse, where they coerced Franke’s two youngest children into believing they were malevolent and in need of punishment for supposed transgressions. Their arrest followed a harrowing incident where Franke’s 12-year-old son managed to escape their residence, seeking help from a neighbor and alerting the authorities to their ordeal.
Investigations revealed the appalling conditions in which the children were kept, with one child found physically restrained and maltreated. The prosecution likened the environment created by Franke and Hildebrandt to a “concentration camp-like setting,” drawing a chilling parallel to the atrocities committed during the Holocaust.
While Franke has displayed contrition and cooperated with legal proceedings, Hildebrandt has been less forthcoming, displaying a lack of remorse and attempting to shift blame onto the victims. Despite Hildebrandt’s plea deal resulting in the dismissal of certain charges, both women face significant prison terms running consecutively for their crimes.
The pair’s professional endeavors, including their joint YouTube channel “8 Passengers,” came to an abrupt halt following their arrest. Ruby Franke’s involvement in the online parenting community had previously sparked controversy due to contentious parenting practices showcased in their videos. The fallout from these revelations led to the termination of the YouTube channel and Kevin Franke, Ruby’s husband, initiating divorce proceedings.
As the legal process unfolds, Franke and Hildebrandt retain the option to appeal their sentences within the stipulated 30-day window.