The woman who touted her parenting ways in a vlog will 4 to 60 years behind bars for child abuse.
People magazine reported that Ruby Franke was sentenced Tuesday, according to TODAY, KSL 5 and KUTV.
The Utah mother and her former business partner were charged after the abuse came to light when Franke bound a child’s hand and feet with two sets of handcuffs after he tried to run away.
Franke was a popular “momfluencer.” Her YouTube channel — 8 Passengers” — centered around her family life with six children.
A “famous” parenting YouTuber has been arrested for child abuse.
— dara faye (@darafaye) August 31, 2023
She allegedly used rope&duct tape to tie up 2 of her daughters (10&12yrs), starved & abused them, leaving them emaciated. The older one escaped through a window & went to a neighbor for help.
Meet Ruby Franke. pic.twitter.com/gSztSHeq7j
In a plea agreement, Franke admitted she “kicked her son, Russell, held his head under water and covered his mouth and nose with her hands so he could not breathe,” People reported.
Jodi Hildebrandt, a therapist and Franke’s former business partner, also was sentenced to 4 to 60 years, according to the outlets. Both pleaded guilty to four counts each of aggravated child abuse.
“Under the plea agreement, two more charges of aggravated child abuse for each woman were dropped, Tania Mashburn, a spokeswoman for Utah State Courts,” confirms to People.
“For years, viewers raised concerns about Franke’s controversial parenting methods, like “cancelling” Christmas for two of her six children. Court documents have revealed that what went on behind the scenes was far worse than anything people saw on her YouTube channel,” Today reported.
