Ruby Franke's YouTube Channel: Reaching Millions with Parenting Advice, Recent Guilty Plea to Child Abuse
Ruby Franke's YouTube channel, known for sharing invaluable parenting advice, took a shocking turn when she recently pleaded guilty to four counts of aggravated child abuse Court documents reveal disturbing allegations that she manipulated her children into believing they were wicked, possessed, and deserving of punishment
Ruby Franke offered parenting guidance to a vast audience through her family YouTube channel. As the creator of "8 Passengers," she documented her life with her husband and six children in Ivins, Utah. Some previously surfaced videos and reports suggested that she implemented punitive measures such as withholding food and restricting access to her son's room for extended periods of time.
Investigators revealed that she had been subjecting her children to abuse and manipulating them into believing that they were inherently evil and possessed. According to court documents, the abuse included kicking her son while wearing boots, holding his head underwater, and depriving him of oxygen by covering his mouth and nose. She justified these acts as necessary for their obedience and repentance. In court on Monday, Franke pleaded guilty to four counts of aggravated child abuse, expressing deep regret and sorrow for her actions.
Frankes lawyers stated that while Frankes was detained in Washington County, she had the opportunity to reflect and "reset her moral compass." They emphasized that she is now accepting responsibility for her involvement in the abuse. Her lawyers obtained a statement from CNN affiliate KUTV, in which they highlighted her sincere commitment to personal growth and rehabilitation. The statement also mentioned that Frankes has taken the initiative to mend relationships with her family and contribute positively to the healing process. CNN has also contacted her attorney, Winward Law, for additional comments.
Son escaped from home, police say
Initially facing six counts, Franke, 41, entered a not guilty plea for two of the charges. This was part of a plea agreement in exchange for testifying against her business partner, Jodi Hildebrandt, who is also facing charges of aggravated child abuse, according to prosecutors.
The state will drop the other two child abuse charges against Franke. She will be sentenced in February and will serve consecutive prison terms for the remaining four counts, according to prosecutors. "In exchange, the Washington County Attorneys Office agrees to stay impartial in any future hearings before the Utah Board of Pardons and Parole," the agreement stated.
Ruby Franke, 41, was famous for her now-deleted "8 Passengers" YouTube channel. She was arrested in August.
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Franke "intentionally or knowingly inflicted and allowed another adult to inflict serious physical injuries" on her children ages 9-12 between May and August, court documents said.
After her 12-year-old son fled from home and sought help from a neighbor to contact the authorities, she was arrested in August, as per the Santa Clara-Ivins Public Safety Department. The child, who appeared malnourished, requested food and water, and was found to have open wounds and duct tape on his wrists and ankles. In a statement accompanying her guilty plea, investigators described some of the abuse that the children endured.
According to the statement, the defendant and another adult consistently tried to indoctrinate Frank's son, RF, by convincing him that he was evil and possessed. They also pressured him to be obedient to avoid punishments, which they claimed were necessary for repentance, and told him that these actions were acts of love. Frank's daughter also experienced similar abuse, being deprived of food and water and forced to work barefoot in the summer heat, resulting in scabs and blisters on her feet, as detailed in court documents.
"According to court documents, EF⦠was subjected to isolation and physical labor, and repeatedly told she was evil and possessed. Franke confessed in the plea agreement to torturing her children by forcing them to work outdoors in the heat, withholding food and water, and isolating them by cutting off access to books and electronics."
In July, Frankes son attempted to escape, but his hands and feet were restrained with either handcuffs or tied to weights. Court documents revealed that his hand injuries were treated at home and covered with duct tape.
Following Frankes arrest, the Department of Child and Family Services took custody of her four minor children, as reported by the Santa Clara-Ivins Public Safety Department. Shortly after her arrest, YouTube removed the "8 Passengers" channel. Additionally, Frankes husband filed for divorce last month, according to KUTV.
