Social Media Outrage Over Ruby Franke’s 60-Year Sentence for Child Abuse
The online community was stunned by the news of Ruby Franke, a prominent YouTuber, receiving a maximum 60-year prison term for child abuse. The Utah district court handed down four separate one-to-15-year sentences to the vlogger on February 20, 2024. Likewise, Franke’s business associate, Jodi Hildebrandt, faced an identical sentence.
According to Utah prosecutor Eric Clarke, Franke’s children, aged 9 and 11, endured conditions akin to a “concentration camp.” Allegations included withholding food, water, and proper sleeping arrangements from the children, along with restricting their access to digital entertainment.
During the sentencing, Ruby Franke became emotional and expressed regret to her children, stating:
“I was so disoriented that I believed dark was light and right was wrong. I was led to believe that this world was an evil place, filled with cops who control, hospitals that injure, government agencies that brainwash, church leaders who lie and lust, husbands who refuse to protect and children who need abuse.”
The public response on social media was swift, with users sharing their shock and dismay over the situation. One individual even cautioned against trusting online personalities, emphasizing the dangers of blind faith in internet figures.
Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt were apprehended in August 2023 after one of Franke’s children escaped through a window, sought help from a neighbor, and requested food. Law enforcement reported finding the child with injuries consistent with being restrained.
The disturbing nature of the allegations against Ruby Franke has reverberated across social media platforms, prompting widespread condemnation. As Franke admitted guilt to four counts of aggravated child abuse, users flooded online spaces with their reactions.
Ruby Franke, known for her YouTube channel “8 Passengers,” which chronicled her family life, amassed a substantial following before her channel’s abrupt deletion following her separation from her husband in 2022.
Transitioning to a new venture as mental health advocates, Franke and Hildebrandt collaborated on an Instagram project named “Moms of Truth.”
The repercussions of Franke’s actions have sparked outrage and discussions online, underscoring the importance of accountability and responsibility in the realm of social media influencers.