What did Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt do?
Ruby Franke is an American former family vlogger who ran the now-shut-down YouTube channel “8 Passengers.” On the 3oth of August 2023, she was arrested in Washington County, Utah, and charged with 6 counts of aggravated child abuse on the 1st of September.
Franke’s 12-year-old son had open wounds and climbed out of the window of Franke’s business partner Jodi Hildebrandt’s house, then went to a neighbouring house to ask for food and water.
Emergency services also found Franke’s 10-year-old daughter in the house, malnourished. Both children were taken to hospital and treated for severe malnourishment and other injuries. The Utah Division of Child and Family Services took the boy and girl and 2 more of Franke’s children into care.
What happened at the trials?
YouTube announced that Franke had been banned from the platform and her channels deleted.
On the 18th of December 2023, Franke pleaded guilty to 4 counts of aggravated child abuse. She later pleaded not guilty to 2 other counts. Franke agreed to serve a prison sentence and to serve her respective sentences consecutively. Franke was set to testify against Jodi Hildebrandt in her trial.
However, Jodi Hildebrandt instead chose to plead guilty to 4 counts of child abuse on the 27th of December in a Utah court to avoid a trial.
Hildebrandt was initially charged with 6 counts of aggravated child abuse for actions towards Franke’s children. The charges are second-degree charges that each carry a penalty of up to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
Where are Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt now?
Franke and Hildebrandt are being held without bail in unknown prison facilities. Hildebrandt surrendered her licence as a counsellor pending resolution of the court case and a full disciplinary investigation.
Franke is expected to be sentenced in February 2024.
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