Former YouTuber Arrested for Child Abuse; Sisters Express Concern
A former YouTuber, known for giving online parenting advice, has been arrested on suspicion of aggravated child abuse. The sisters of Ruby Franke, who once ran the 8 Passengers YouTube channel, have spoken out about their efforts to protect her children before her arrest.
Franke’s 12-year-old son managed to escape from a window in Ivins, Utah, and sought help from a neighbor, asking for food and water. The boy had duct tape on his wrists and ankles. Concerned, the neighbor contacted law enforcement, leading to Franke’s arrest.
The boy was hospitalized due to injuries caused by being tied up with rope and malnourishment. Franke’s 10-year-old daughter was also found malnourished and hospitalized. Two other children were taken into custody by child protection services.
Franke’s business partner and collaborator, Jodi Hildebrandt, who founded the controversial organization ConneXions Classroom, was also arrested. The duo creates advice videos criticized for promoting harsh parenting methods.
Franke’s sisters expressed their concerns, emphasizing their efforts to ensure the children’s safety. In a deleted YouTube video, one sister mentioned their legal efforts to protect the kids and expressed support for each other during this challenging time.
A day before the video was posted, another sister shared a statement on Instagram, stating they had done everything possible to ensure the kids’ safety and had maintained silence about their sister’s situation for three years for the children’s sake.
Franke’s bail was denied due to the severity of injuries suffered by her children. The Department of Child and Family Services had taken custody of four of her children, and an investigation was ongoing.
Ruby Franke and her husband had gained popularity through their family YouTube channel, 8 Passengers, which focused on parenting and the upbringing of their six children. The channel had millions of subscribers, but the family faced criticism in recent years.
The arrest of Ruby Franke and her partner has raised concerns about the safety of her children and the content they shared online.
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