Former YouTube personality Ruby Franke, known for her family-oriented content, was handed a maximum 30-year prison term for aggravated child abuse on February 20th. Franke admitted guilt to four charges stemming from separate abuse incidents, each carrying a potential sentence of 1-15 years consecutively. However, under Utah law, the total consecutive sentence cannot surpass 30 years.
The case unfolded in early September 2023 when Franke’s 12-year-old son sought help from a neighbor, prompting a distress call to 911. The youngster was discovered with wounds, starving, and bound with duct tape around his ankles and wrists. Another distressing discovery was made at the residence of Franke’s business associate, Jodie Hildebrandt, where a 10-year-old child was found in a similar state. Subsequently, Franke’s four youngest children were placed under state care.
Both Franke and Hildebrandt faced six felony charges of child abuse related to the two affected children.
Franke rose to prominence through her family vlog, 8passengers, amassing over 2.6 million subscribers over time, albeit amidst significant public scrutiny. Her authoritative parenting approach sparked concerns among viewers, prompting a 2020 petition on Change.org urging Utah Child Protective Services to investigate the family.
Prior to her legal troubles, Hildebrandt, a former mental health counselor and the mind behind ConneXions Classroom—an online mental health program—collaborated with Franke. Initially hired to counsel one of Franke’s sons in 2019, Hildebrandt evolved into a mentor for Franke, leading to their joint ventures on the @moms_of_truth Instagram page and ConneXions YouTube channel. Through these platforms, they shared parenting and mental health guidance from a religious standpoint.
In December 2023, Franke struck a plea deal, resulting in the dismissal of two out of six charges in exchange for her testimony against Hildebrandt.
In her confession, Franke detailed disturbing acts of physical and emotional abuse, such as submerging a child’s head underwater, restraining them with handcuffs, and subjecting her children to grueling labor under harsh conditions. She also confessed to manipulating a child into believing that punishments were justified due to being “evil and possessed.”
Hildebrandt, too, reached a plea agreement. Although Franke couldn’t address the court during Hildebrandt’s trial, she expressed remorse and exposed the toxic influence Hildebrandt had on her, fostering a cult-like environment.
Franke acknowledged her role in succumbing to paranoia instilled by Hildebrandt, leading to criminal behavior. She accepted responsibility for her actions, emphasizing a distorted worldview that fueled her misconduct.
Both Franke and Hildebrandt received identical sentences, ranging from four to 30 years, pending review by the Utah Board of Pardons and Parole.