The harrowing case of former YouTuber Ruby Franke and her business partner, Jodi Hildebrandt, has sent shockwaves across the internet. The pair, once known for their parenting advice channel “8 Passengers,” are now convicted child abusers facing serious prison sentences.
In August 2023, Franke’s 12-year-old son, identified as RF, escaped from Hildebrandt’s home in Ivins, Utah. Emaciated and bearing duct tape on his wrists and ankles, RF ran to a neighbor’s house, desperately pleading for help.
Security camera footage of RF, Franke's 12-year-old son, approaching a neighbor's house for help.
His escape led to the discovery of his nine-year-old sister, EF, in a similarly horrifying condition inside a closet-like room in Hildebrandt’s house. The children’s emaciated state and the evidence of restraints painted a grim picture of prolonged abuse.
The subsequent investigation unearthed even more disturbing details. Police body camera footage showed RF’s shocking condition upon their arrival. Interviews with Franke and Hildebrandt revealed a chilling lack of remorse and disturbing justifications for their actions.
Police bodycam footage shows RF with duct tape on his wrists.
Renowned defense attorney Ben Shu fame, known for representing Johnny Depp in his defamation trial, shared his insights on the case. “There’s no defense for that,” he stated, visibly shaken by the evidence of abuse. “If you look at him, he’s so emaciated, he’s wasted away to nothing. How anybody could torture a little boy like that or a little girl, because the girl was also treated horrifically, it’s beyond comprehension.”
Franke, initially silent and stoic during her arrest, later claimed in jailhouse phone calls that she had been brainwashed by Hildebrandt. She described a distorted reality where she believed the world was evil and her children needed to be “fixed.”
However, Shu fame expressed skepticism about Franke’s claims of manipulation. “These are her children, and she had the ultimate responsibility,” he argued. “She and her husband had the ultimate responsibility over their well-being.”
Hildebrandt, a self-proclaimed therapist, displayed a similar lack of remorse. In jailhouse phone calls, she appeared to justify their actions, even blaming the children for their own suffering.
Both Franke and Hildebrandt eventually pleaded guilty to four counts of aggravated child abuse. While they avoided trial, their sentencing hearing provided further insights into their disturbing mindset.
Franke, attempting to appear remorseful, claimed she had been led astray by a “dark delusion.” Hildebrandt, however, continued to deflect blame, emphasizing her love for the children and desire for their healing.
Despite their pleas, the evidence against them was overwhelming. The harrowing images, videos, and audio recordings left an undeniable mark on those following the case.
The judge, while acknowledging the horrific nature of the abuse, was bound by Utah law to sentence Franke and Hildebrandt to consecutive prison terms of one to 15 years for each count. The final decision on their release now rests with the Utah Board of Pardons and Paroles.
The Ruby Franke case serves as a stark reminder of the hidden horrors of child abuse. It underscores the importance of vigilance, support for victims, and holding abusers accountable for their actions.
