A family vlogger who gained a substantial following on YouTube by providing parenting guidance has been sentenced to four consecutive terms of one to 15 years in prison for severely mistreating her own children.
Ruby Franke, a mother of six, tearfully admitted to aggravated child abuse of two of her kids before the court. If she receives the maximum penalty, Franke could potentially face 60 years behind bars, with the Utah Board of Pardons and Parole determining the final duration.
Prior to her sentencing, Franke expressed deep remorse, stating, “I was led to believe this world was an evil place filled with church leaders that lie and molest…and children who need abuse. My choice to believe this led to criminal behavior.” She emphasized her love for her children and ex-husband Kevin.
Franke’s former business partner, Jodi Hildebrandt, also pleaded guilty and received a similar sentence of four consecutive terms of one to 15 years.
Franke confessed to subjecting her two youngest children to a cruel regime of abuse, convincing them that they were evil and needed to be “punished” to seek repentance. This included forcing her son to toil outdoors under scorching conditions until he suffered blistering sunburns. Additionally, both children were deprived of adequate food and water, often receiving plain meals.
The abuse came to light when one of Franke’s sons managed to escape to a neighbor’s house, prompting a 911 call. The emaciated 12-year-old boy was found with duct tape around his ankles and wrists, indicating signs of detainment and mistreatment.
Following the arrests of Franke and Hildebrandt in August 2023, Franke’s four youngest children were taken into state custody for their protection.
In a plea agreement, Franke admitted to torturing her son by engaging in various forms of physical and psychological abuse, including denying him basic necessities, restricting his movements, and inflicting physical harm under the guise of love. Similar mistreatment was acknowledged towards her nine-year-old daughter.
The Franke family faced public scrutiny for their YouTube channel, “8 Passengers,” where controversial parenting decisions were showcased, such as extreme punishments and questionable disciplinary measures.
The channel, which started in 2015, ceased operations after seven years of content creation.