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NY Post
Page Six
31 Aug 2023


NextImg:YouTuber Ruby Franke arrested after ‘emaciated’ child with duct tape around extremities ran for help

YouTube star Ruby Franke was arrested Wednesday after an “emaciated” child with duct tape around their extremities escaped and ran to a neighbor’s house for help.

The arrest record, obtained by Page Six Thursday, states that the child fled through a window of Franke’s business partner Jodi Hildebrandt’s house in Ivins, Utah, and asked the neighbor for food and water — but when the Good Samaritan noticed duct tape on the child’s ankles and wrists, they called police.

“The calling party stated the juvenile appeared to be emaciated and malnourished, with open wounds and duct tape around the extremities,” a statement from local authorities reads.

Police on the scene described the unidentified child’s wounds, neglect and malnourishment to be so “severe” that they transported the victim to the nearby Saint George Regional Hospital.

The child was placed on a medical hold “due to deep lacerations from being tied up with rope,” per the cops.

The unidentified child escaped through Jodi Hildebrandt’s window and asked a neighbor, who discovered them tied up with duct tape, for help.
moms_of_truth/instagram

Another malnourished child was discovered shortly thereafter, according to the documents, and also transported to the hospital.

The report states that Franke, who is known for her family’s “8 Passengers” YouTube channel, had filmed a video in Hildebrandt’s home just days before the incident, indicating that the vlogger had “knowledge of the abuse, malnourishment and neglect.”

Police also arrested Hildebrandt, who worked as Franke’s ConneXions co-founder and a licensed therapist.

ruby franke, kevin franke and their six children
The neighbor called police, who then discovered another wounded child and transported both to a hospital.
passengers_official_/Instagram

Franke, 41, declined to speak to authorities and instead requested a lawyer, the report says.

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The court ordered that Franke be held in the Washington County jail without bail.

Franke and Hildebrandt were arrested under suspicion of two counts of aggravated child abuse. Four of Franke’s children remain in the care of the Department of Child and Family Services.

ruby franke and her son
Upon her arrest, Franke declined to talk to officers and instead requested a lawyer.
passengers_official_/Instagram

In Utah, the definition of aggravated child abuse includes starvation, broken bones, head injuries from hitting or shaking and suffocation.

If intentionally inflicted, the perpetrator faces up to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

Ruby’s husband, Kevin Franke, didn’t immediately return Page Six’s requests for comment; however, Ruby’s siblings and her estranged daughter, Shari, all have released statements about her arrest.

“Today has been a big day. Me and my family are so glad justice is being served,” Shari wrote on Instagram.

“We’ve been trying to tell the police and CPS for years about this, and so glad they finally decided to step up.”