A shocking case of extreme child abuse involving a parenting YouTuber and her business partner has been revealed through recently released documents and videos in southern Utah. Ruby Franke, known for her popular YouTube channel “8 Passengers,” and her business partner Jodi Hildebrandt were sentenced to up to 30 years in prison for aggravated child abuse. The abuse was said to be motivated by religious extremism, with the women believing it was necessary to teach the children how to repent for imaginary sins.
The children were subjected to horrific abuse, including manual labor, fasting, and conditions described as “concentration camp-like.” Franke and Hildebrandt, who claim to belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, were arrested last August after Franke’s malnourished and bruised son escaped through a window and sought help from a neighbor. The boy was found shoeless, with his ankles wrapped in bloody duct tape and plastic wrap.
The women’s actions have been condemned by other Mormon parenting bloggers, who say they misrepresented their community and religion. Franke’s son revealed to investigators that he had been bound by ropes and subjected to other forms of physical abuse by Hildebrandt. Franke documented the abuse in handwritten journals, justifying her actions by claiming her son was possessed by the devil.
In addition to the abuse, Franke and Hildebrandt isolated the children from the outside world, made them sleep on hard floors, and locked them in a concrete bunker in Hildebrandt’s basement. The abuse was captured on body camera videos, showing the disturbing conditions the children were forced to endure. Franke’s husband filed for divorce shortly after her arrest and has been fighting to regain custody of their minor children, who were taken into state custody.
The case has sent shockwaves through the parenting vlogging community, where Franke had gained a significant following. The “8 Passengers” YouTube channel has since ended, and the Franke family’s once-positive image has been tarnished by the abuse allegations. This tragic story serves as a reminder of the dark realities that can exist behind the curated facade of social media personas.
As the details of this disturbing case continue to unfold, it is crucial to raise awareness about the signs of child abuse and the importance of providing a safe and nurturing environment for all children. Let us learn from this tragedy and work towards creating a world where all children are protected and given the love and care they deserve.
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