Ruby Franke and her business partner, Jodi Hildebrandt, both prominent parenting and lifestyle influencers, faced arrest and subsequent charges of child abuse on Wednesday, as confirmed by Utah officials.
Their recent YouTube video, which delved into topics of victimhood and responsibility, was uploaded merely three days prior to their arrest on their channel named ConneXions. The arrest transpired on August 30, following a distress call to the Santa Clara police in Utah at approximately 10:50 p.m.
The police discovered a juvenile who appeared malnourished and emaciated, with “open wounds and duct tape around the extremities,” according to a Thursday press release. The severity of the juvenile’s condition necessitated immediate hospitalization, as stated by the police.
A subsequent search of a residence led to the discovery of another child, bearing a striking resemblance in condition to the first. This child, too, was promptly hospitalized. The police also found evidence that aligned with the markings on the juvenile.
The investigation took a graver turn when a search warrant executed on the home led to the rescue of four children in total. Both Franke and Hildebrandt were taken into custody soon after.
“Hi all. Today has been a big day,” Shari Franke, one of Ruby Franke’s daughters, penned in an Instagram story. “Me and my family are so glad justice is being served. We’ve been trying to tell police and CPS for years about this, and so glad they finally decided to step up. Kids are safe, but there’s a long road ahead. Please keep them in your prayers and also respect their privacy,” she added.
Shari Franke, at the age of 20, manages her own YouTube lifestyle channel, which showcases videos spanning various topics, from school and travel to dating experiences.
Ruby Franke’s sisters took to Instagram to voice their concerns. They had chosen to remain silent about Ruby for a span of three years, primarily for the well-being of her children. “Behind the public scene we have done everything we could to try and make sure the kids were safe,” they asserted. The arrests of Ruby and Hildebrandt were both necessary and overdue, ensuring the safety of the children.
Ruby Franke and Hildebrandt’s joint venture, the YouTube page ConneXions, formerly known as Moms of Truth, aimed to guide their 4,650 followers on how to adeptly navigate life. Their most recent video, part of a series addressing victimhood, was uploaded on Tuesday.
“As a quick recap, ‘victim’ means I drop my responsibility,” Franke elucidated in the video. “So because I’m a human and I have responsibility, and when I decide through my agency — through my choices, to let go of being responsible … I am in a state of victim. Victim is a place where I live … because I don’t want to be responsible for me,” she added.
Earlier videos, sans Hildebrandt, feature Franke expressing her grievances about various subjects, ranging from her children’s school utilizing TikTok for teaching dances to the perils of sleepovers and bullying. Some videos even feature her husband, with topics such as a “live couples workshop” focusing on financial management.
Before the inception of ConneXions, Franke managed a popular YouTube parenting channel named “8 Passengers.” Here, she shared her experiences of raising her six children alongside her husband. The channel’s description, now deleted, read, “Things can get crazy with six active kids, but we can find true joy in the journey if we love and support each other.”
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