Once known for running the popular 8 Passengers family YouTube channel, Ruby Franke, a mother of six, and her business partner Jodi Hildebrandt are facing serious charges. They’ve been accused of six counts of felony child abuse each.
Three months after being arrested and accused in Utah, family YouTuber Ruby Franke has been found guilty of two out of the six severe child abuse charges brought against her.
The mother of six, along with her business partner Jodi Hildebrandt, who herself faced allegations of serious child maltreatment in September, when Franke’s 12-year-old son was reportedly seen escaping from Hildebrandt’s house window, appearing “malnourished and neglected.”
According to the Santa Clara-Ivins Public Safety Department, the police were called by a concerned citizen who reported open wounds and duct tape “around the hands and feet” of a child. The child was also said to be asking for both food and water.
“The condition of the juvenile was so severe that they were seen by Santa Clara-Ivins EMS and transported to a local area hospital,” stated the release. Subsequently, police discovered Franke’s 10-year-old daughter in a similar condition at Hildebrandt’s residence.
Franke and Hildebrandt were arrested on August 30. Ultimately, four of Franke’s children were taken into custody.
During a court appearance on Monday, Ruby Franke made her pleas. For the fourth plea, she added, “With my deepest regret and sorry for my family and my children, guilty.” She pleaded not guilty to the final two counts.
As part of her plea agreement, Ruby Franke provided additional details about the abuse her youngest two children endured, including attempts to convince them they were possessed and deserving of punishment.
She revealed that since her arrest on May 22, her son had been physically abused for hours without sufficient water, resulting in “repeated and severe sunburn,” causing blisters. He was isolated, deprived of meals, books, and electronics. After attempting to escape in July, Franke said that her hands and feet were regularly restrained.
Ruby Franke described restraining her son by tying his hands and feet, lifting his limbs off the ground, and injuring his ankles and toes while lying on his stomach. She also admitted that as per the agreement, she hit him with shoes, held his head underwater, and did much more, stating that these were “acts of love.”
The former social media star acknowledged similar mistreatment with her daughter, who was coerced to work outside, denied food and water, and was told she was “evil and possessed,” justifying the punishment as “necessary.” As per the agreement, the girl was “assured” that what her mother said was true.
Judge John J. Walton accepted Franke’s plea deal. Her case will now proceed to sentencing scheduled for February 20. According to the AP, Franke has agreed to spend time in jail, and the sentences will run consecutively.
According to a statement obtained by NBC News, each count carried a sentence of up to 15 years in jail and a fine of up to $10,000. The sentencing will depend on Judge Walton.
According to the AP, in a recent statement provided by Franke’s law firm on December 15, numerous abuses were attributed to the influence of Hildebrandt. It stated that the relationship counselor led Franke towards a “distorted sense of morality.”
In the statement, Vinward Law mentioned, “Ruby Franke is a dedicated mother and a committed woman to continuous improvement.” He further stated that Franke believed Hildebrandt provided insight into the “path of continuous improvement” but, in reality, it turned into something “exploitative” and “twisted.”
As per her plea agreement, Franke has been “actively engaged in self-reflection, resetting her moral compass, and understanding the full weight of her actions.” Additionally, she is “committed to taking responsibility for her role in the events leading up to her incarceration.”
As for Hildebrandt, according to an AP report, she agreed not to see husbands until state licensing officials resolve the allegations. Her next court hearing is scheduled for December 27. Her attorney did not immediately respond to AP’s request for comments on Franke’s allegations.
Regarding Ruby Franke’s arrest, her eldest daughter, Shari, said the family is “glad justice is being served.” She mentioned they had been “trying to tell the police and CPS for years.”
She stated that her siblings are “safe,” but there is still a “long road ahead” for them.
Shari is one of the six children of Ruby Franke and estranged husband Kevin Franke, including Chad, Abby, Julie, Russell, and Eve. The entire family was featured in videos on the 8 Passengers channel, which launched in 2015 and closed earlier this year.
According to insider, some viewers criticized Franke’s parenting style, feeling it was inappropriate, while some comments were deemed controversial. After the removal of the 8 Passengers channel, she and Hildebrandt launched their Conscious Podcast, which also faced criticism.
In a brief statement provided to Page Six after the arrest, attorney Randy S. Castor said that his client Kevin Franke is “solely focused on keeping his children together under his care.” According to the AP, he has filed for divorce.
It is not clear whether Ruby and Kevin were together at the time of Ruby’s arrest. Ruby has not posted anything on social media with Kevin since February 2022, although content related to their podcast with Hildebrandt was transferred to her page from her family photos.
After Ruby’s arrest, her three sisters, who are influential themselves and have over two million YouTube subscribers, released a joint statement saying that the arrest was “necessary.”
They wrote, “For the past 3 years, we have remained silent on the subject of our sister Ruby Franke for the sake of her children.” “Behind the public view, we have done everything we could to ensure the safety of the children.”
They further stated, “Ruby has been arrested, which was necessary.” “Jodi has been arrested, which was necessary. The children are now safe, which is the top priority.”