Child abusers Ruby Franke and Jodi in sexual relationship, niece suggests

28 December 2023 , 14:36

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Franke (right) has accused Hildebrandt of leading her to “a distorted sense of morality.” (Image: youtube)

Convicted child abusers Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt could have been in a romantic relationship, family have suggested.

The two worked together at Hildebrandt’s counselling company, ConneXions Classroom, offering parenting seminars, launching another YouTube channel and publishing content on their shared Instagram account, “Moms of Truth.”

Together, they doled out advice and promoted honest lifestyles, using their brand as parenting role models to conceal what was happening behind the scenes.

But Hildebrandt's niece Jessi speculated that their relationship might have been something more and that her aunt, Jodi, may be 'queer'. Speaking on Mormon Stories, Jessi Hildebrandt said: "I thought that since I was a kid, that potentially she (Hildebrandt) was queer... She did say something to me when I was living with her that was very strange because I've known I was queer since I was seven."

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Child abusers Ruby Franke and Jodi in sexual relationship, niece suggests

Jodi Hildebrandt has been charged with six felony counts of aggravated child abuse (AP)

Jessi continued: "She knew about that and it was very bad and very evil. But then she said something to me... She said something to the effect of yes being gay is evil, pleasures of the flesh, yada yada. But if I were to have sexual relationships with my friends, it would be different because there's a deep emotional connection there and that's different.

"We were sitting in someone's living room and she said this and I was just like: ‘What?! That's called being gay. What do you think gay relationships are like, they are emotional and deep and connective.’"

This comes as Hildebrandt and Franke pleaded guilty days apart to charges of aggravated child abuse for physically and emotionally abusing Franke’s children.

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Franke with some of her children (8 Passengers/Instagram)

Ruby's sister-in-law Jennifer Franke has previously told the DailyMail.com that many of her family were suspicious of Hildebrandt. She said: "From what I understand Ruby really started to change when she became mixed up with Jodi Hildebrandt," adding: "A lot of the family is starting to believe that Ruby and Jodi may have more than a professional relationship."

On Aug. 30, Franke’s 12-year-old son escaped through a window of Hildebrandt’s house in the southern Utah city of Ivins and asked a neighbour to call the police, according to a 911 call released by the St. George Police Department. The boy was thin, covered in wounds and had duct tape around his ankles and wrists. He told investigators that Hildebrandt put ropes on his limbs and used cayenne pepper and honey to dress his cuts, according to a search warrant.

The abuse came to light after one of the boy's escaped from Hildebrandt's house (youtube)

Hildebrandt’s attorney, Douglas Terry, said his client pleaded guilty Wednesday instead of waiting until a later date because she did not want Franke’s children to have to testify.

“She takes responsibility, and it is her main concern at this point that these children can heal, both physically and emotionally,” Terry said.

The two women were arrested at Hildebrandt’s home and were each charged with six felony counts of aggravated child abuse. Hildebrandt pleaded guilty to four counts, and two counts were dismissed Wednesday as part of her plea deal. Franke also pleaded guilty to four of her six charges and not guilty to two at a Dec. 18 hearing. Each charge carries a prison sentence of one to 15 years, which could run consecutively.

Franke pleading guilty to the charges against her (FOX 13)

Judge John J. Walton set a Feb. 20 sentencing date for both women after accepting the plea agreements. Franke and Hildebrandt have agreed to serve prison terms, and their sentences will be decided by the judge.