Main Information
Former vlogger Ruby Franke admitted to the torture and starvation of her two children in a Utah court on Monday as part of a plea agreement that resulted in her pleading guilty to four counts of second-degree felony aggravated child abuse, according to multiple reports, amid claims that her business partner manipulated her and made her “systematically isolated” from her family while they worked together to build an audience on YouTube.
Key Information
Hildebrandt and Franke were arrested and charged with child abuse in August. Few details about the case are available, but the duo was detained after Franke’s 12-year-old son, who was wrapped in duct tape around his ankles and wrists, crawled out of Hildebrandt’s house and ran to a neighbor’s home, which he told police appeared “thin and malnourished, bearing open wounds and having duct tape around his limbs.”
Crucial Quote
“For a long time, Hildebrandt isolated Ruby Franke from her extended family, her older children, and her husband Kevin Franke. This prolonged isolation led Ms. Franke to develop a warped concept of morality, shaped by Hildebrandt’s influence,” according to a statement from Winward Law. “We strongly believe that Ms. Franke is a devoted mother, but unfortunately, she was misled.”
Background Information
The “8 Passengers” channel, which documented the lives of Ruby and Kevin Franke along with their six children, had over 2.2 million subscribers before it was abruptly removed earlier this year. The channel had been a recurring target of criticism for how the Frankes disciplined their children, including accusations that they starved their 6-year-old daughter after the child forgot to bring her lunch to school, and Franke refused to take her to school. In 2020, viewers contacted local child protective services after a teenage son claimed that his room was taken away as punishment and that he slept on a bean bag for seven months. Last summer, Franke and Hildebrandt created the “ConneXions” account, which was also criticized by viewers for being extreme and victimized. The now-removed channel aimed to “help those who are lost and stuck in the darkness of distortion.” It remains unclear how Hildebrandt and Franke met and how long they have known each other. Shari Franke, 20, the oldest of Franke’s children, posted on Instagram after her mother’s arrest to say that she and her family had worked for years to get the attention of child protective services. The arrest warrant alleges that Franke was “aware of the torture, starvation, and neglect” of the children in Hildebrandt’s home, as reported by Business Insider, where she filmed videos in the home just two days before the arrest.
Additional Details
Hildebrandt and Franke have been held without bail for over three months, with Hildebrandt voluntarily surrendering her counseling license in September, and Kevin Franke, Ruby Franke’s husband whose parenting style was documented on the “8 Passengers” account alongside his wife, filing for divorce in November. Hildebrandt is scheduled to attend a court hearing on December 27, and lawyers for Franke and Hildebrandt did not respond to Forbes’ request for comment on Monday.
Conclusion
Vlogger Ruby Franke and her business partner Hildebrandt face serious charges of torture and starvation of her children. They were arrested and charged with felony child abuse. Franke’s attorney believes that Hildebrandt exploited her and isolated her from her family, leading to a distorted sense of morality. The “8 Passengers” channel that documented the family’s life was removed from YouTube and was heavily criticized by viewers for its child discipline methods. Controversial family vloggers are seen as problematic, being criticized for violating children’s privacy and exposing them to exploitation.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/maryroeloffs/2023/12/18/family-vlogger-ruby-franke-will-reportedly-plead-guilty-monday-heres-what-to-know-about-the-child-abuse-charges-against-her/
Leave a Reply