A family therapist, Jodie Hildebrandt, was once a trusted figure in the lives of popular vlogger Ruby Franke’s children. However, instead of providing support, Hildebrandt ended up aiding Franke in subjecting her kids to severe abuse.
The relationship between Franke and Hildebrandt blossomed in 2019 after meeting through their shared Mormon church community. Franke, known for her family vlogs with her six children and husband Kevin Franke on YouTube’s 8 Passengers channel, quickly bonded with Hildebrandt, a respected life coach and influential figure in the Mormon church.
As their friendship deepened, Hildebrandt’s sinister involvement in the abuse came to light in the Netflix documentary “Evil Influencer: The Jodi Hildebrandt Story.” The abuse was uncovered when Franke’s 12-year-old son sought help from a neighbor, revealing signs of mistreatment. Subsequently, authorities rescued Franke’s emaciated nine-year-old daughter from Hildebrandt’s Utah mansion, leading to the arrest of Franke and Hildebrandt.
Prior to the abuse coming to light, Franke had faced criticism on her YouTube channel for her harsh disciplinary methods, such as making her children engage in physical exercises and line up as punishment. Child protective services intervened in 2020 after viewers raised concerns about her treatment of her children, including forcing her son to sleep on a bean bag for seven months as punishment.
The extent of the abuse inflicted by Franke and Hildebrandt included physical torture and emotional manipulation. The victims, Franke’s younger children, were deprived of basic necessities, forced to endure physical tasks under harsh conditions, and subjected to degrading treatment. The abuse was so severe that Franke’s two youngest children sustained severe injuries and trauma.
Following the arrest of Franke and Hildebrandt, Franke’s older children were found safe, with the minors placed in the care of the Utah Division of Child and Family Services. Franke and Hildebrandt were both sentenced to lengthy prison terms for their heinous crimes, finally facing justice for the suffering they caused.
In the aftermath, Franke expressed remorse in court, acknowledging her distorted beliefs and the harm she inflicted on her children. Her eldest daughter, Shari, has since written a memoir detailing her experiences, while her son, Chad, has spoken out against his mother’s abuse and pursued a career in real estate.
The identities of Franke’s children have been kept confidential to protect their privacy amidst the harrowing ordeal they endured.