YouTube mom admits to torturing her children under therapist’s influence

Youtube Mom Ruby Franke has pleaded guilty to four counts of aggravated child abuse, and agreed to testify against her therapist. and business partner who allegedly manipulated her into abusing her children.

This article will closely examine this breaking abuse case. We will go through the details in the plea agreement, alleged participation of Jodi Hildebrandt, and more. Read on!

Fundamental Background

“8 Passengers” in Ruby Franke’s family

Ruby Franke’s YouTube channel – 8 Passengers, which started in 2015 and had over 2.5 million subscribers, featured videos of her family’s daily life and parenting tips. Some of the videos sparked controversy and criticism online for showing Franke’s harsh punishments and discipline of her children. These include banning them from their bedroom, refusing to take them lunch, and threatening to cut their toys.

Franke entered her plea on Monday at the Washington County 5th District Court in Utah as this woman has admitted to inflicting severe physical and emotional harm on her two youngest children, a 12-year-old boy and a 9-year-old girl, from May to August this year. She can face up to 15 years in prison for each charge. She will remain in jail until her sentencing on Feb. 20.

What Incidents Led To Youtube Mom Ruby Franke’s Arrest?

The abuse came to light on Aug. 30, when Franke’s son escaped from Hildebrandt’s house in Ivins, Utah, and ran to a neighbor’s home for help. The neighbor called 911 and reported that the boy was emaciated and malnourished, with open wounds and duct tape around his ankles and wrists. The police arrived and found Franke’s daughter in the same condition at Hildebrandt’s house. They arrested Franke and Hildebrandt and charged them with six counts of aggravated child abuse each. They also placed all of Franke’s four minor children into state care.

Kevin Franke – Franke’s husband, filed for divorce in September. He said his wife had separated him from his children for over a year. And, he had no knowledge of the alleged abuse. He did try to contact his children; however, but Franke and Hildebrandt had resisted all his efforts. In addition to helping his kids recuperate, he claimed he desired custody of his kids.

Franke’s sisters, Julie Griffiths Deru and Bonnie Hoellein were not aware of their sister’s actions. They said they were shocked and heartbroken by the case. Also, they hoped that their sister would get the help she needed. Besides, they would support her through the legal process.

Franke’s attorney said she was “committed to taking responsibility for the part she played” in the abuse, and that she was “actively engaged in an introspection” that allowed her to “understand the full weight of her actions.” He said she was also communicating with her family members “to mend relationships and contribute positively to the healing journey of her family.”

The Alleged Participation of Jodi Hildebrandt

According to multiple resources, Franke said her co-defendant Jodi Hildebrandt influenced her. For your information, Jodi is a therapist and the founder of ConneXions. This is an organization that claims to offer personal growth and healing through honesty, responsibility, and humility, according to its website. 

Franke sincerely pleaded ‘guilty’ as the judge went over her charges.

Franke’s attorney, LaMar Winward, stated Hildebrandt “took advantage of Franke’s quest for constant improvement and twisted it into something heinous.” He said Hildebrandt isolated Franke from her family, older children, and husband, and subjected her to “a distorted sense of morality.”

Hildebrandt also faces six counts of aggravated child abuse, and has not yet entered a plea. The court accused her of putting the ropes on the children’s ankles and wrists, and using cayenne pepper and honey to treat their injuries. Until the allegations are resolved by state licensing officials, she has agreed not to see patients. Her next court is set on Dec. 27.

Details In the Ruby Franke Plea Agreement

The following are some of the details that were revealed in the plea agreement, which contains descriptions of the abuse, and the news reports that covered the case.

• Franke forced her son to do physical tasks such as wall sits, planks, push-ups, and carrying boxes full of books up and down stairs for hours. She also made him work outside in the summer without adequate water, sunscreen, or shoes. He suffered from dehydration, heat exhaustion, and severe sunburns that blistered and peeled. He was also denied food or given very plain meals, such as oatmeal or rice. Franke would punish him if he secretly drank water or ate food from the garbage. He lost a significant amount of weight and became emaciated and malnourished.

• Franke bound her son’s hands and feet with ropes and handcuffs, sometimes using a technique called “hog-tying” . She used the ropes to connect the handcuffs that secured his hands and feet. As he lay on his stomach, lifting his arms and legs off the ground and causing pain and injury to his wrists and ankles. The handcuffs cut into his skin and caused wounds and infections. Franke and Hildebrandt used cayenne pepper and honey to dress the wounds, and covered them with duct tape. They then put the bindings back on top of the duct tape, making the wounds worse.

• Franke kicked her son while wearing boots, causing bruises and injuries to his body. She also held his head under water in a bathtub or a sink, and smothered his mouth and nose with her hands, making him feel like he was drowning or suffocating. She did this to punish him or to make him confess to things he did not do.

• Franke tried to convince her son that he was evil and possessed by a demon, and that he needed to repent and be obedient to avoid the punishments. She told him that everything that she did to him were acts of love, and that he deserved them. She also told him that he must not talk to anyone, including his siblings, his father, or his grandparents. She isolated him from other people and did not let him have any books, notebooks, or electronics. As a result, his mother has extremely harmed his emotional well-being. About Franke’ daughter, she had to suffer the same punishments. Obviously, severe emotional trauma was inevitable.

Conclusion

As part of the plea agreement, Youtube Mom Ruby Franke agreed to testify against Hildebrandt. Prosecutors said Franke’s testimony would be crucial to prove Hildebrandt’s guilt and hold her accountable.

Since Franke awaits sentencing scheduled for February and Hildebrant prepares for her next court hearing in December, this case will surely continue to unravel. It is understandable as the abuse has shined a stark light on the complexities surrounding issues of abuse, accountability, and the blurred lines between public personas and private lives.

Franke’s case has drawn national attention and raised questions about the role of social media, therapy, and parenting in child abuse. It has also sparked outrage and sympathy from the public, especially from the fans and followers of Franke’s YouTube channel.