The shocking case of Ruby Franke, the once-popular YouTube mommy vlogger, and her co-defendant Jodi Hildebrandt, has captivated the internet. The pair was arrested in August 2023 on charges of aggravated child abuse after two of Franke’s youngest children were found severely malnourished and injured in Hildebrandt’s home.
While the legal proceedings have concluded with both women pleading guilty and facing significant prison sentences, the release of previously unseen video footage by the Washington County authorities has provided disturbing insights into their behavior. In this analysis, we delve into the nonverbal cues exhibited by Franke, Hildebrandt, and Franke’s estranged husband, Kevin, with the help of renowned body language expert Susan Constantine.
Jodi Hildebrandt: Guarded and Calculating
Upon the arrival of police officers at her home, Jodi Hildebrandt’s body language immediately displayed a heightened sense of awareness. Standing behind her front door, arms tightly crossed, she held her phone at the ready, suggesting anticipation of the impending confrontation.
Jodi Hildebrandt standing in the doorway of her home
“She stays inside the door, a form of self-protection. Her arms are crossed, phone out, indicating preparedness,” observes Constantine. “This wasn’t guardedness; it was self-preservation.”
Hildebrandt’s demeanor, however, remained surprisingly relaxed, suggesting she was not entirely caught off guard. “She was already on the phone, anticipating trouble,” notes Constantine.
During her police interview, Hildebrandt exhibited further signs of guardedness and potential deception. Her rigid posture, frequent lip-licking, and fleeting moments of digital flection (the curling inward of fingers) all pointed towards an attempt to suppress stress and anxiety.
Jodi Hildebrandt sitting at a table during a police interview
Despite maintaining her innocence, Hildebrandt’s body language betrayed a desire to unburden herself. Constantine believes that a different approach from law enforcement, one that fostered trust and rapport, might have prompted a confession. “Every person wants to release incriminating information; it’s about managing the cognitive load,” she explains.
Ruby Franke: Dissociation and Defiance
Unlike Hildebrandt, Ruby Franke remained eerily silent when confronted by authorities. This lack of response, however, didn’t necessarily indicate innocence. As observed in later jailhouse phone calls, Franke had been instructed by her legal counsel to remain silent.
At the police station, Franke’s body language spoke volumes. Her rigid posture and blank expression pointed towards a dissociative state, a coping mechanism to distance herself from the overwhelming situation.
Ruby Franke sitting in a chair during a police interview
“She detached from her being, entering a dissociative state,” explains Constantine. “Her body is rigid, her facial expressions flat, but her eyes dart around, seeking confirmation.”
Despite her silence, Franke’s occasional head nods and subtle shifts in posture revealed a calculated response to the interrogation. “She processes each question, deciding whether to shake her head yes or no,” says Constantine. “She’s playing the long game, refusing to budge.”
Furthermore, a distinct defiance could be detected in Franke’s demeanor. Her tone of voice, at times, turned sarcastic, and her mouth would tighten into a disapproving frown. “She was dismissive, unwilling to be swayed by authority,” observes Constantine.
Kevin Franke: Suspect Deception?
While Kevin Franke has not been charged with any crime and maintains his ignorance of the abuse, his body language during a police interview raised red flags for Constantine.
Kevin Franke sitting at a table during a police interview
His frequent shoulder shrugs, furrowed brows, and tendency to keep his hands hidden beneath the table hinted at deception. “These are classic signs of suspect behavior,” explains Constantine.
Furthermore, Franke’s emotional responses appeared incongruent with the gravity of the situation. While expressing shock and disgust at the description of his son’s condition, his body remained relatively still, lacking the natural gestures of disbelief and despair one would expect.
“The emotional affect was off,” notes Constantine. “The timing, the duration, the lack of anchor shifts—it was all out of sync.”
Franke’s repeated pronouncements of love for his family, while possibly genuine, also raised concerns for Constantine. “Love should encompass discipline and protection,” she says, hinting at the possibility that Franke’s understanding of love has been warped by the “religious cult environment” he and Ruby were involved in.
Conclusion: A Chilling Glimpse into a Troubled Family
The video footage, analyzed through the lens of body language, offers a chilling glimpse into the dynamics of a deeply troubled family. While the full extent of Kevin Franke’s knowledge and complicity remains unknown, the nonverbal cues suggest a more complex narrative than he presents.
Jodi Hildebrandt’s calculated attempts to control the narrative and Ruby Franke’s chilling detachment paint a picture of manipulation and abuse. The scars of this tragic case serve as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and critical thinking, especially in the age of curated online personas.
