YouTuber Ruby Franke, Known for Parenting Advice, Arrested for Alleged Child Abuse

Ruby Franke, a Utah resident who gained popularity through her YouTube channel dedicated to parenting advice, is facing arrest on suspicions of aggravated child abuse following a distressing incident involving her son. Authorities reported that her malnourished child managed to escape through a window and seek assistance from a nearby residence.

The now defunct YouTube channel “8 Passengers,” which used to chronicle Franke’s family life, was the platform through which she provided parenting insights. The arrest transpired in Ivins, a city in southern Utah, and occurred at the residence of Jodi Hildebrandt, who runs a counseling business focused on promoting honesty, responsibility, and humility to enhance individuals’ lives.

Recently, Ruby Franke had been featured in videos on Hildebrandt’s ConneXions Classroom counseling business, as displayed on YouTube. The unfortunate incident unfolded when Franke’s 12-year-old son managed to escape from a window at Hildebrandt’s Ivins residence. The child then sought refuge at a neighbor’s house, where he requested food and water. Disturbingly, the boy’s ankles and wrists were found bound with duct tape, prompting the neighbor to contact law enforcement.

Upon law enforcement’s arrival, the child was taken to a medical facility due to injuries sustained from being restrained with rope and severe malnourishment. Franke’s 10-year-old daughter was also discovered to be malnourished within Hildebrandt’s residence and was subsequently hospitalized. In a grave turn of events, two other children belonging to Franke were taken into the custody of child protection services.

Both Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt are currently under arrest on suspicion of committing two counts of aggravated child abuse, though formal charges have not yet been filed. Franke opted for legal representation and refrained from communicating with law enforcement. Meanwhile, her husband’s attorney, Randy S. Kester, refrained from commenting on the situation, focusing on advocating for the well-being of the children.

Efforts to reach Hildebrandt’s counseling business for comments remained unanswered as of the reporting. A judge subsequently denied bail for both Franke and Hildebrandt, citing the severity of the injuries sustained by Franke’s children and their current custody status. While Franke’s children were found at Hildebrandt’s residence, evidence from a YouTube video indicated Franke’s presence at the location and her awareness of the alleged abuse, malnourishment, and neglect.

The case is still under investigation, and further developments are awaited.

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