Ruby Franke pleads guilty to child abuse charges
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Former family vlogger Ruby Franke broke down in tears as she spoke to the judge just moments before she was sentenced on child abuse charges.
Her business partner Jodi Hildebrandt is also set to be sentenced on the same charges.
Mother-of-six Franke was a YouTube sensation, drawing in millions of subscribers to her channel where she offered parenting advice. But her reputation unravelled when she and Hildebrandt were suddenly arrested in August 2023 for abusing her children.
The arrests came after one of Franke’s sons escaped Hildebrandt’s home and fled to a neighbour’s home, who called 911. The 12-year-old boy was malnourished, had multiple open wounds and was bound with duct tape. Police then found another child also suffering abuse at the home.
The boy later told investigators that Hildebrandt would put cayenne pepper and honey on their wounds that were caused by being tied with the rope, according to arrest warrants.
The two women initially pleaded not guilty to six counts of felony child abuse – but both later entered guilty pleas in December to four counts of second-degree aggravated child abuse. Each count carries of sentence of up to 15 years in prison.
Jodi Hildebrandt is now in the courtroom for her sentencing
The defence for Hildebrandt said: “My experience with Miss Hildebrandt is that she is not the person she has been portrayed to be.”
“She accepts responsibility and the consequences of her conduct.”
Hildebrandt then speaks: “I sincerely loved these children. One of the reasons I didn’t go to trial is I didn’t want them to relive this.”
Andrea Cavallier20 February 2024 17:40
Franke sentenced on child abuse charges
Franke was sentenced to serve four counts of 1 to 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to the child abuse charges last year.
Judge Walton sentenced her to four consecutive terms of 1 – 15 year for each of the second-degree felony aggravated child abuse she pled guilty to.
Per the court’s request, restitution is on hold with an eight-month deadline imposed by the court.
Andrea Cavallier20 February 2024 17:38
Ruby Franke weeps as she speaks in court ahead of sentencing
“I was led to believe this world was an evil place filled with church leaders that lie and molest….and children who need abuse. My choice to believe this led to criminal behavior. Jodi Hildebrandt was never my business partner, she was my son’s counselor.”
Franke calls her children and her now ex-husband Kevin the loves of her life as she breaks down in tears.
Andrea Cavallier20 February 2024 17:15
Franke’s attorney says she was indoctrinated by Hildebrandt
Ruby Franke’s defence attorney says she was indoctrinated by her business partner Jodi Hildebrandt.
Ruby has unwrapped the layers of deceit and deception forced upon her by Jodi, the defence said.
The defence added that she is committed to doing the work.
“She is a delightful and respectful person.”
Andrea Cavallier20 February 2024 17:12
Prosecutors ask judge to honor plea agreement
The prosecution is asking the judge to honor the plea agreement, which states that Franke will serve prison time on the child abuse charges.
“She committed horrible acts of child abuse…..in a concentration camp setting.”
Andrea Cavallier20 February 2024 17:06
Ruby Franke enters courtroom for sentencing
Ruby Franke is now in the Utah courtroom for sentencing.
The judge is on the bench.
Andrea Cavallier20 February 2024 17:03
WATCH: Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt to be sentenced in Utah
The two women will learn their fate on Tuesday.
Both have already pleaded guilty to four counts of aggravated child abuse.
They each face a minimum of four years to a maximum of 60 years in prison.
The judge will only decide if their sentences will run consecutive or concurrent.
The hearing will be livestreamed on Law&Crime’s YouTube page.
Andrea Cavallier20 February 2024 16:45
Chilling 911 call that led to Ruby Franke’s arrest revealed
A 911 call reveals the chilling details of the incident that led to Youtube influencer Ruby Franke’s arrest, when her 12-year-old child sought food and water from a neighbor.
Ms Franke’s child, who was reportedly also in the care of her business partner Jodi Hildebrandt, “climbed out of the window AND ran to a neighbor’s home” on 30 August.
The child reportedly showed up at the neighbor’s home with “duct tape” covering his ankles and wrists as he begged for food and water.
Alarmed, the neighbor called the police.
Andrea Cavallier20 February 2024 16:28
Ruby Franke’s neighbors feared cops would pull ‘body bags’ from her home
The neighbors of YouTube family vlogger Ruby Franke were reportedly not surprised to see her Utah home swarmed by police when she was arrested in September.
Some say they were just happy that the police weren’t pulling bodies from the house.
“Everyone is just breathing a collective sigh of relief because we thought they were going to come out of that house with body bags,” one of her neighbors told NBC News.
Andrea Cavallier20 February 2024 16:00
WATCH: Ruby Franke pleads guilty to child abuse charges
Parenting advice blogger Ruby Franke pleaded guilty in December to four counts of aggravated child abuse for physically and emotionally abusing her children.
Utah mental health counselor and Franke’s business partner Jodi Hildebrandt also plead guilty.
They both face sentencing today.
Ruby Franke pleads guilty to child abuse charges
Andrea Cavallier20 February 2024 15:40
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