Family vlogger Ruby Franke faces 6 charges for allegedly starving, abusing kids
Ruby Franke, a Utah mother of six who documented her family’s life on the now-defunct YouTube channel “8 Passengers,” has been charged with six counts of child abuse, along with her business partner Jodi Hildebrandt.
The pair were arrested last week after Franke’s 12-year-old son escaped Hildebrandt’s home and asked a neighbour for food and water, police said. When emergency responders found him, he was injured, emaciated and had duct tape on his wrists and ankles.
Franke’s 10-year-old daughter was also found in a similar condition when police searched the home, and she required hospitalization alongside her brother.
The Washington County Attorney in Utah confirmed to multiple outlets that Franke and Hildebrandt have been formally charged with felony child abuse.
“There are two juvenile victims in these cases, and each defendant is accused of causing or permitting serious physical injury to the victims in three different ways: (1) a combination of multiple physical injuries or torture, (2) starvation or malnutrition that jeopardizes life, and (3) causing severe emotional harm,” the county attorney told NBC and People.
Franke and Hildebrandt could face 15 years in prison and a fine of up to US$10,000 for each count of child abuse, the prosecutor told NBC.
The Washington County Attorney’s Office did not immediately return Global News’ request for comment.
In total, four of Franke’s children were removed from her care and taken in by the Department of Child and Family Services. Her other two children are adults, NPR reports.
According to online inmate records, Franke and Hildebrandt have remained behind bars since their arrest on Aug. 30. Both are expected to appear in count on Friday.
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