Chilling details emerge of YouTube influencer mum's crimes after guilty plea
Once-famous YouTube mum-of-six, Ruby Franke, who was known for giving parenting advice through videos on her channel "8 Passengers", admitted to abusing her own children in a chilling confession.
Ruby Franke stood in prison clothes and took a deep breath before admitting guilt to each of her first three charges. On the fourth, she fought back emotion before confessing: "With my deepest regret and sorrow for my family and my children, guilty."
In her unnerving so-called parenting "strategies," she tried to convince her two youngest children they were evil, possessed and needed to be punished to repent.
Franke described a string of horrifying actions against her children, particularly her 11-year-old son and nine-year-old daughter, committed over four months in Washington County, Utah, in her conviction statement.
The first count revealed the physical torment of her son, who was made to carry out strenuous tasks such as wall-sits, carrying heavy loads of books and outdoor work without shoes under summers hot sun.
Baby boy has spent his life in hospital as doctors are 'scared' to discharge him
Read more: YouTube mum Ruby Franke ADMITS child abuse after boy found with legs tied with duct tape
Franke during a virtual court appearance (AP)The boy was forced to work in the sun leading to severe sunburns with blistered and peeling skin. He was also denied water, and was punished when he tried to drink secretly. While the rest of the family enjoyed regular and tasty meals, the boy was given plain food and sometimes deprived of it entirely.
The statement goes on to say that the child was kept away from others and wasn't allowed any entertainment, including books, notebooks, and electronics.
After the boy tried to escape in July, his hands and feet would be tied up, sometimes with two sets of handcuffs, causing injuries to his wrists and ankles. These were treated with "homeopathic remedies" and covered with duct tape.
According to the plea, Franke would kick her son while wearing boots, and even held his head underwater, smothering his mouth and nose, while telling him it was all from a place of love.
For all the latest news, politics, sports, and showbiz from the USA, go to
On social media, Franke gave the impression of a happy family (8 Passengers/Instagram)On the second count, the documents state that the boy suffered severe emotional harm throughout the summer due to the increasing abuse. Franke, tried to brainwash the boy, convincing him that he was evil and possessed, needing obedience to avoid punishments. Punishments were portrayed as acts of love and necessary for repentance.
The third charge detailed the "severe emotional harm" experienced by Franke's youngest daughter, similar to her brother. This included isolation, physical tasks, exposure to the outdoors, and denial of food and water. The girl was repeatedly told by her mother that she was evil and possessed, with punishments deemed necessary for obedience, repentance, and improvement.
Ruby Franke during the hearing, where she admitted to the charges (AP)Franke also admitted to a fourth charge of abusing her nine-year-old daughter who was was made to work barefoot outside in the scorching summer heat, and run barefoot on dirt roads for extended periods. When examined on August 30, she was found to have injuries apparent by scabs, blisters, and sloughing skin.
Under Utah law, second-degree aggravated child abuse is when that person knowingly or intentionally inflicts serious physical injury to a child or causes or permits another to inflict serious physical injury to their child. Each charge carries a sentence of one to 15 years in prison.
Disabled woman paralysed after falling from wheelchair on plane walkway dies
Police move in to arrest Franke (ABC/Springville Police Dept)An attorney for the mother said in a statement that the abuse occurred while Franke was influenced by Jodi Hildebrandt, a relationship counsellor and Franke's business partner, who led her to "a distorted sense of morality."
"Ruby Franke is a devoted mother and is also a woman committed to constant improvement," said Winward Law in a statement. They added that Franke initially thought her co-defendant "had the insight to offer a path to continual improvement," but claimed that Hildebrandt "took advantage of this quest and twisted it into something heinous."
Franke and Hildebrandt were arrested on 30th August after Franke's 12 year old son escaped from Hildebrandt's house in Ivins, southern Utah. The boy asked a neighbour to call the police, according to a 911 call released by the St. George Police Department.
Ruby Franke, a former YouTube star who ran a channel teaching about strict parenting, has pleaded guilty to child abuse charges (Instagram)The caller reported that the boy was emaciated and had duct tape around his ankles and wrists. "I think he's been ... he's been detained," the caller said, his voice breaking up. "He's obviously covered in wounds."
The boy and Franke's daughter, who was also found at Hildebrandt's house, were taken to the hospital. Eventually, all four of Franke's youngest children were taken into state custody.
* An AI tool was used to add an extra layer to the editing process for this story. You can report any errors to [email protected]
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
