Former YouTuber Faces Aggravated Child Abuse Charges
A former YouTuber known for sharing parenting advice online is facing serious legal trouble. Ruby Franke, who once ran the popular 8 Passengers channel that documented her family life, now faces six counts of aggravated child abuse. This comes after authorities discovered that two of her six children were subjected to abuse and malnourishment.
Ruby Franke was apprehended in the state of Utah, USA, last week at the residence of Jodi Hildebrandt, who runs a counseling business aimed at helping people enhance their lives. Shockingly, Hildebrandt herself has been arrested and charged with the same six counts of child abuse.
Prosecutors assert that Franke and Hildebrandt either directly caused or allowed someone to inflict harm on Franke’s 12-year-old son and her 10-year-old daughter. Both children endured not only physical harm but also emotional distress as they were deprived of proper care and sustenance.
Court records reveal that both Franke and Hildebrandt are being held in custody without the option of posting bail.
The disturbing incident came to light when Franke’s 12-year-old son managed to escape through a window and seek help from a neighbor. The boy, who was clearly in distress, asked for food and water. A court filing by the Santa Clara-Ivins Public Safety Department reported that the neighbor noticed duct tape on the boy’s wrists and ankles and promptly contacted the police.
Subsequently, Franke’s 10-year-old daughter was found to be malnourished and also required medical attention.
Neighbors in the community had previously raised concerns and alerted child services about the situation. One neighbor expressed relief, saying, “Everyone is just breathing a collective sigh of relief because we thought they were going to come out of that house with body bags.”
While the abused children were discovered at Hildebrandt’s residence, incriminating evidence suggested that Franke was aware of the abuse, malnourishment, and neglect. A YouTube video filmed at Hildebrandt’s house and posted just two days prior to the arrests indicated Franke’s presence at the scene. Arrest records point to her knowledge of the distressing situation.
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