Salt Lake City, Utah – A harrowing tale unfolds as the malnourished and badly bruised son of a popular YouTuber, known for her parenting advice, bravely seeks help from a neighbor in southern Utah. This distressing incident came to light when the boy’s mother and her business partner were arrested on child abuse charges.
The 12-year-old son of Ruby Franke, a mother of six who shared parenting tips with millions through her YouTube channel, managed to escape through a window and reached out to neighbors for assistance, according to recently released documents from the Washington County Attorney’s office. It was later revealed that religious extremism fueled the women’s actions, leading to horrific abuse of Franke’s children.
In a shocking turn of events, Ruby Franke and her business partner, Jodi Hildebrandt, were sentenced to up to 30 years in prison after pleading guilty to four counts of aggravated child abuse. These charges included subjecting Franke’s two youngest children to unimaginable conditions, such as manual labor, days-long fasting, and what authorities described as “concentration camp-like” circumstances.
The women, identified as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, were apprehended last August in Ivins, a suburb of St. George, sparking outrage among the Mormon community. Notably, their actions drew condemnation from other Mormon parenting bloggers who felt the women misrepresented their faith and community.
Through body camera footage and interrogation tapes, a grim picture emerges of the abuse inflicted on the children. The young boy, found emaciated and injured, revealed disturbing details of how he was bound and subjected to cruel treatment by Hildebrandt. Similarly, Franke’s handwritten journal entries shed light on the systematic abuse endured by her children.
As the investigation unfolded, more disturbing details came to light, including instances of starvation, isolation, and physical punishment inflicted on the children. Franke’s journals revealed her belief that her son was possessed by the devil, justifying her actions as necessary measures to “save” him from evil.
Despite the shocking revelations, defense attorneys for Franke and Hildebrandt have remained tight-lipped in the face of mounting evidence. The fallout from this tragic case has also led to Kevin Franke, Ruby’s husband, seeking custody of their minor children, who were placed in state custody following the arrests.
The story of Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt serves as a stark reminder of the dark realities that can lurk behind seemingly idyllic facades. As the legal proceedings continue and the victims seek justice, the community is left grappling with the aftermath of a heartbreaking saga that has shaken them to their core.