Newly released video footage reveals the heartbreaking moment when police discovered the children of controversial YouTuber Ruby Franke. The footage, part of a large amount of evidence recently released by officials, provides a disturbing glimpse into the conditions Franke’s children were subjected to, leading to her arrest and lengthy prison sentence for felony aggravated child abuse.
Franke’s arrest, alongside her then-business partner Jodi Hildebrandt, was prompted by a harrowing incident involving Franke’s 12-year-old son. The boy, emaciated and bearing open wounds, was found with duct tape around his body after escaping Hildebrandt’s home and seeking help from a neighbor.
Ring camera footage shows the young boy, noticeably thinner and without shoes, approaching the neighbor’s door. This starkly contrasts with his appearance in earlier vlogs posted by Franke, highlighting the severity of his condition.
“Can you take me to the nearest police station?” the boy asks the neighbor in the video.
The neighbor, visibly concerned, immediately calls 911. “I just had a 12-year-old boy show up here at my front door asking for help,” the neighbor tells the dispatcher. “He’s emaciated, he’s got tape around his legs, he’s hungry, and he’s thirsty.”
Body cam footage captures the arrival of officers and emergency responders. One EMT, deeply affected by the boy’s injuries, can be heard saying, “I’m going to cry.”
As the boy receives medical attention, he reveals to officers that his sister is still inside Hildebrandt’s home. This revelation leads to another distressing discovery.
Upon entering the residence, officers find Franke’s young daughter, identified as E.F., hiding in a bathroom closet. Sitting cross-legged on the floor in complete silence, the young girl’s fear is palpable.
“You come here, buddy. I’m a police officer. You want… What do you need here?” an officer gently asks E.F.
Despite repeated attempts to reassure her, the young girl remains silent and withdrawn. Sergeant Tobler, one of the officers present, later told ABC News that they initially mistook E.F. for a boy due to her short haircut.
Even after being told that Hildebrandt is in custody, E.F. remains unresponsive, seemingly paralyzed by fear.
“We got Jodi out here. You know Jodi? She’s outside with us,” Sergeant Tobler tells E.F., attempting to comfort her.
Over an hour passes, and E.F. still refuses to leave the closet. Concerned for her well-being, officers offer her food. She cautiously eyes a small personal pizza before slowly taking a bite. According to reports, she eventually eats the entire pizza and half of a larger one.
Emergency responders patiently take turns trying to coax E.F. out of the closet, but she remains resistant. An EMT tries to engage her in conversation, but she admits to being nervous.
“It’s okay to talk to me. Are you scared?” the EMT asks gently.
After nearly four hours, E.F. finally agrees to leave the closet. Visibly shaken, she slowly walks out with the emergency responders.
Both E.F. and her brother were taken to the hospital for treatment. Their harrowing ordeal highlights the severe neglect and abuse they suffered under the care of Franke and Hildebrandt.
While Hildebrandt briefly spoke with investigators, Franke remained silent, invoking her right to an attorney.
“I’ll wait till I have a lawyer,” Franke states when questioned by officers.
Franke and Hildebrandt were arrested and charged with multiple counts of aggravated child abuse. They have remained in custody since their arrest. Both women were sentenced to up to 15 years in prison.
Franke’s children, E.F. and her brother, have reportedly been placed in foster care together as their father seeks to regain custody.
