YouTube star Ruby Franke, a Utah mother known for her family-focused YouTube channel “8 Passengers” has been arrested on child abuse charges, according to officials.
The 41-year-old from Springville, Utah, was arrested and booked into jail on two second-degree felony aggravated child abuse charges on Aug. 30, according to the Washington County Sheriff’s Department.
She remains in custody.
Jodi Hildebrandt, 54, of Ivins, who is reportedly Ms. Franke’s business partner and runs a counseling business, ConneXions Classroom, was also arrested on the same charges and also remains in custody, officials said.
In a press release, the Santa Clara-Ivins Public Safety Department said its emergency dispatch received a report that a juvenile, reportedly Ms. Franke’s 12-year-old son, was asking for help at around 10:50 a.m. on Aug. 30.
“The calling party stated the juvenile appeared to be emaciated and malnourished, with open wounds and duct tape around the extremities,” officials said. The child was asking for food and water, according to officials.
“The condition of the juvenile was so severe that they were seen by Santa Clara-Ivins EMS and transported to a local area hospital,” the department said.
YouTube Channel Gave Parenting Advice
Upon searching the home, they found another juvenile in a “similar physical condition of malnourishment.”The unidentified juvenile, reportedly Ms. Franke’s 10-year-old daughter, was taken to a local hospital for treatment, the press release said.
Meanwhile, police searching the home found evidence “consistent with the marking found on the juvenile” and subsequently called the Department of Child and Family Services, and four minor children were taken into their custody.
It is not clear if Ms. Franke has legal representation.
The Epoch Times has contacted Ms. Hildebrandt’s counseling business, ConneXions Classroom, for comment.
‘My Kids Are So Strong’
It is not clear why the channel was removed from the platform although some of her videos have reportedly sparked backlash among some viewers who claimed she had a strict parenting style after she allegedly refused to bring her 6-year-old daughter lunch at school when she forgot to pack one, according to NBC News.“My kids are so strong,” she said. “They are amazing. And they have come together and have even prayed for our enemies. These people who are hating on us, they pray that they will feel the love that they are searching for.”
Ms. Franke’s eldest child, Shari Franke, 20, reportedly posted on Instagram Wednesday claiming that she and her family had been trying to “tell the police and CPS [child protective services] for years about this,” adding that she is “so glad they finally decided to step up.”
The post has since been deleted, however in a more recent post, the eldest child asked her followers to share any “questionable or concerning” videos from the 8 Passengers or ConneXions accounts with her.
