Parenting YouTuber Ruby Franke and her business partner, Jodi Hildebrandt, have been sentenced to prison after pleading guilty to child abuse charges related to an incident where one of Franke’s children escaped Hildebrandt’s house seeking help.
Franke, known for her “8 Passengers” YouTube channel, and Hildebrandt, who operated ConneXions Classroom, each face up to 30 years in prison, the maximum penalty under Utah law.
The charges initially included six counts of aggravated child abuse, with each count carrying a potential penalty of one to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
The sentencing includes four consecutive prison terms for both Franke and Hildebrandt, and the actual prison time will be determined by the Utah Board of Pardons and Parole.
State prosecutor Eric Clarke compared the environment in Franke’s household to a “concentration camp-like setting” and accused Franke of committing “horrible acts of child abuse.” He referred to Hildebrandt as a “significant threat” to the community.
Both women addressed the court before sentencing. Hildebrandt expressed willingness to “submit to what the state feels is an appropriate amount of time served.”
Franke admitted to inflicting injuries on her children, stating that she had been led to believe the world is an “evil place” and emphasized that Hildebrandt was not her business responsibility but a paid mentor. Franke acknowledged the charges as just, offering safety to her family and accountability to the public.
The sentencing follows a disturbing incident where one of Franke’s children escaped Hildebrandt’s house, seeking help from a neighbor. The incident led to charges and legal proceedings, bringing attention to the parenting advice Franke provided on her YouTube channel.
The severity of the sentences underscores the gravity of the child abuse charges and the impact of their actions on Franke’s family. The Utah legal system aims to hold individuals accountable for their actions and ensure the safety of the children involved.
