Aiexpress – Parenting YouTuber Ruby Franke and her business partner Jodi Hildebrandt, who admitted to child abuse charges following an incident in which one of Franke’s children fled Hildebrandt’s residence in August seeking assistance from a neighbor, have been sentenced to prison. According to the prosecutor, both individuals could face a maximum of 30 years in prison, which is the harshest punishment allowed by Utah law.
Franke, as reported by CBS News affiliate KUTV, has received a sentence of four consecutive prison terms. Each term could range from one to 15 years. The Utah Board of Pardons and Parole will be responsible for determining the length of his prison time. Franke has a window of 30 days to appeal this decision.
Hildebrandt is facing the same sentence of four consecutive prison terms, as reported by KUTV. Each term could range from one to 15 years. Just like Franke, Hildebrandt’s prison time will be decided by the Utah Board of Pardons and Parole.
Franke, who used to offer parenting advice on her YouTube channel “8 Passengers,” and Hildebrandt, who ran a counseling business called ConneXions Classroom, were originally charged with six counts of aggravated child abuse, which is a second-degree felony. Each count had the potential for a penalty of one to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
While reading the sentencing recommendation, state prosecutor Eric Clarke compared Franke’s children’s situation to a “concentration camp-like setting,” claiming that Franke “committed horrible acts of child abuse.” Clarke described Hildebrandt as a “significant threat” to the community in response to her charges.
Both women spoke to the court before they were sentenced. Hildebrandt expressed her willingness to abide by whatever sentence the state deemed appropriate. Franke admitted responsibility for causing harm to her children and acknowledged that she had been influenced by the belief that the world is a dangerous place. She also mentioned that she had hired Hildebrandt to be her mentor, not considering her as a personal responsibility. Franke expressed gratitude towards the public safety officials who rescued her children, referring to them as “angels.”
“I believe my charges are fair,” stated Franke confidently. “They not only provide protection for my loved ones but also ensure transparency and responsibility to the community.”
What did Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt do?
In December, Franke pleaded guilty to four counts of child abuse and admitted to torturing her children, including the now 12-year-old kid who escaped Hildebrandt’s house. In the plea deal, which included graphic accounts of abuse, Franke stated that her son was frequently shackled and that her nine-year-old daughter was forced to perform physical labor outside in the blazing sun with no water or shoes. Both youngsters were repeatedly taught that they were possessed and that their punishments were essential to help them.
According to court documents acquired by KUTV, the kid told officials that Hildebrandt tied him up and used home remedies to treat wounds from the restraints.
As part of her plea agreement, Franke consented to serve a prison sentence and that her sentences would run consecutively. She also consented to testify against Hildebrandt.
Only days after Franke, Hildebrandt pleaded guilty to four counts of child abuse. Her plea deal said that she either tortured the children or was aware of their mistreatment. According to the agreement, Hildebrandt “either physically forced or coerced” Franke’s daughter to “jump into a cactus multiple times.”
According to Washington County Attorney Eric Clarke, their religious conviction was a driving force behind the crimes.
“This is a case about religious extremism. The defendants appear to have fully believed that the abuse they inflicted was necessary to teach the children how to properly repent for imagined ‘sins’ and to cast the evil spirits out of their bodies,” Clarke said. “Hildebrandt regularly stated that God communicated directly with her and gave her directions. Franke accepted Hildebrandt as her leader and followed her instructions and guidance.”
Where is Ruby Franke’s family now?
Franke faced criticism on YouTube for her strict disciplinary actions towards her children, which included a notable incident where she prohibited one of her children from entering his bedroom for a lengthy period of seven months as a consequence of pranking his younger brother. Her YouTube channel, which had a seven-year run and started in 2015, eventually came to an end.
Kevin Franke, the husband of Ruby Franke, has initiated divorce proceedings. In early September, an attorney representing Kevin Franke stated that he is focused on ensuring the well-being of their children and cannot provide any comment regarding Ruby Franke’s arrest.
Kevin Franke, accompanied by Franke’s two eldest children, made an appearance in court on Friday. During her testimony, Franke expressed remorse and offered an apology to her former husband. According to KUTV, she stated, “You are the love of my life. The dissolution of our marriage is a heartbreaking event.”
Franke’s parents and brother have submitted statements to the court prior to her sentencing on Tuesday, placing the blame for her actions on Hildebrandt’s influence. Franke’s brother, Beau Griffiths, revealed that he, too, had been enrolled in Hildebrandt’s ConneXions program.
According to Griffiths, under the continued influence of Ms. Hildebrandt, Ruby intentionally distanced herself from everyone she knew, including Griffiths, their siblings, parents, close friends, her husband, and even her own children. Griffiths firmly believes that Ruby has been manipulated and brainwashed by Ms. Hildebrandt, who has taken advantage of her vulnerability.
Franke’s sisters, Julie Griffiths Deru and Bonnie Hoellein, who are also YouTubers, recently posted videos where they discussed Franke’s separation from the family. In these videos, they expressed their surprise and stated that they had no prior knowledge of her actions.
According to Franke’s parents, Chad and Jennifer Griffiths, they had limited communication with their daughter for a period of three years. During these interactions, Franke would accuse them of things that never actually occurred or greatly exaggerate the events that did take place.
