Parenting Advice YouTuber Arrested for Child Abuse

Formerly well-known for her well-liked YouTube channel “8 Passengers,” Ruby Franke was detained on charges of aggravated child abuse following her underweight son’s escape through a window and subsequent request for assistance from a neighbor. The arrest has shocked the internet community since it provides insight into a family that has come under fire for their contentious parenting choices.

Arrest and Startling Findings

Ruby Franke was captured on Wednesday night near Ivins, in southern Utah. The 12-year-old son of Jodi Hildebrandt, a counselor whose company, ConneXions Classroom, has uploaded YouTube footage of Franke, was arrested after he broke out of his home through a window. The boy hurried to the home of a neighbor in search of food and drink.

The youngster was found, and when the neighbor saw that he had duct tape on his wrists and ankles, they called the police. The boy was taken to a hospital right away, where he was given a medical hold because of acute malnourishment and significant cuts from being tied up with rope.

Later, it was discovered that Franke’s 10-year-old daughter was underweight in Hildebrandt’s home, and she was admitted to the hospital as well. Child protective services took custody of Franke’s other two children in the interim.

Contentious Internet Reputation

Franke and her family gained popularity on the internet with their seven-year-old YouTube video, “8 Passengers,” which launched in 2015. The family’s everyday lives were seen on the channel, but it was frequently attacked for making controversial or radical parenting choices. Some of these included putting their oldest son in a wilderness therapy camp, keeping him out of his room for seven months, and refusing to feed a kindergartener who had left their lunch at home. Furthermore, Ruby Franke talked about using drastic steps, such as telling her younger children that they would not get presents from Santa Claus if they were selfish and threatening to chop off a girl’s stuffed animal as a form of punishment.

Family Discord and Online Petition

Due to the contentious nature, there was an online petition asking child protective services to step in. As she said in social media posts, Franke’s oldest daughter likewise cut ties with her parents.

Legal Repercussions

Although official charges have not yet been brought, Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt were both taken into custody on suspicion of two felonies counts of aggravated child abuse. Ruby Franke did not comply with police and asked for legal counsel. Randy S. Kester, her husband’s lawyer, did not address Ruby Franke’s arrest, only saying that he represents Kevin Franke’s interests in keeping the kids together and under his care.

Because of the seriousness of the children’s injuries and the ongoing investigations by the Department of Child and Family Services, a judge has denied bail for both Franke and Hildebrandt.