Current:Home > MyInfluencer mom charged with felony child abuse after son's alleged escape-InfoLens
Influencer mom charged with felony child abuse after son's alleged escape
View Date:2025-01-09 21:38:51
Ruby Franke, a YouTuber who gained online notoriety with her tough and often controversial parenting advice, has been formally charged with six counts of felony child abuse in Washington County, Utah.
The mother of six was arrested last week after her 12-year-old son escaped through a window and ran to a neighbor’s home pleading for food and water, according to authorities.
The boy was severely malnourished and had “deep lacerations from being tied up with rope and from his malnourishment,” according to court documents filed by law enforcement. Authorities said they also found Franke’s 10-year-old malnourished daughter inside the home and allege they believed Franke “had knowledge of malnourishment, abuse and neglect.”
Franke’s business partner, Jodi Hildebrandt, was also arrested and charged with six counts of felony child abuse. Authorities allege the 12-year-old boy and 10-year-old girl were under Hildebrandt’s “direct care” at her home when the incidents unraveled last week.
In an interview with "Good Morning America," Randy Kester, the attorney for Ruby's husband, Kevin Franke, said that Kevin had been separated from his wife for more than a year and denies any knowledge of the alleged abuse.
"He is a good person. He is very gentle," Kester said. "And no one's ever made any allegations that he's ever physically abused those kids, or anyone else."
WATCH: Husband of influencer charged with child abuse denies involvement
The Frankes share six children and rose to fame on YouTube, amassing more than 2 million followers before the channel was taken down.
In one video that has since been deleted, Ruby Franke is heard saying of her children: "Up until now, I was really hoping that keeping them home from school and wiping the floor boards would like really bring pain."
In a since deleted video from her YouTube channel, Ruby Franke’s sister, Bonnie Hoellein, says family members tried to intervene.
“We all did as much as we could legally, but you don’t know what you don’t know,” Hoellein said.
WATCH: Parenting influencer faces child abuse charges
YouTuber “Swoop” has been following the case and says she noticed signs in Frankes’ videos that seemed concerning to her for some time.
“She was often giving parental advice, and most of it seemed to showcase how she decided to punish her children in ways that became increasingly alarming and very questionable,” Swoop told ABC News.
In 2020, viewers launched a change.org petition calling for child protective services to investigate Ruby Franke.
Franke and Hildebrandt are scheduled for their first court appearance on Friday.
veryGood! (8448)
Related
- Video ‘bares’ all: Insurers say bear that damaged luxury cars was actually a person in a costume
- Why is ABC not working on DirecTV? Channel dropped before LSU-USC amid Disney dispute
- NASA sets return date for empty Starliner spacecraft, crew will remain in space until 2025
- Woody Marks’ TD run with 8 seconds left gives No. 23 USC 27-20 win over No. 13 LSU
- Wicked Director Jon M. Chu Reveals Name of Baby Daughter After Missing Film's LA Premiere for Her Birth
- Pilot declared emergency, loss of autopilot before crash that killed 3 members of famed gospel group
- Giving up pets to seek rehab can worsen trauma. A Colorado group intends to end that
- John Stamos got kicked out of Scientology for goofing around
- Olivia Munn Randomly Drug Tests John Mulaney After Mini-Intervention
- Sephora Flash Sale: 50% Off 24-Hour Lancome Foundation, Viral Clinique Black Honey Lipstick & More
Ranking
- RHOP's Candiace Dillard Bassett Gives Birth, Shares First Photos of Baby Boy
- Judge shields second border aid group from deeper questioning in Texas investigation
- NCAA blocks Oklahoma State use of QR code helmet stickers for NIL fund
- 41,000 people were killed in US car crashes last year. What cities are the most dangerous?
- Singles' Day vs. Black Friday: Which Has the Best Deals for Smart Shoppers?
- Gen Z wants an inheritance. Good luck with that, say their boomer parents
- It Ends With Us’ Justin Baldoni Shares Moving Message to Domestic Abuse Survivors
- Powerball jackpot at $69 million for drawing on Saturday, Aug. 31: Here's what to know
Recommendation
-
Steelers' Mike Tomlin shuts down Jayden Daniels Lamar comparison: 'That's Mr. Jackson'
-
Harris looks to Biden for a boost in Pennsylvania as the two are set to attend a Labor Day parade
-
Watch as shooting star burns brightly, awes driver as it arcs across Tennessee sky
-
2024 fantasy football sleepers: Best value picks for latest ADP plays
-
Can I take on 2 separate jobs in the same company? Ask HR
-
Slash's stepdaughter Lucy-Bleu Knight, 25, cause of death revealed
-
Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Last Try
-
Giving up pets to seek rehab can worsen trauma. A Colorado group intends to end that