– Ruby Franke, an influencer and former YouTuber, and her business partner Jodi Hildebrandt have been arrested and charged with aggravated child abuse in Utah.
– Franke’s sisters have spoken out, stating that the arrest was necessary and that the safety of the children involved is the top priority.
– The arrests came after a report of a starved child, who was found malnourished with open wounds and duct tape on their extremities. The police also discovered another malnourished child in Hildebrandt’s home, and four more children were taken into the care of the Department of Child and Family Services.
Here is what happened:
The family members of influencer Ruby Franke, who was recently arrested on aggravated child abuse charges, have broken their silence. Franke, a mother of six and former YouTube channel host, was taken into custody along with her business partner, Jodi Hildebrandt, after authorities received a report of a starved child. Franke’s sisters, Ellie Mecham, Bonnie Hoellein, and Julie Deru, issued a joint statement expressing their support for the arrest and emphasizing the safety of the children involved. They also mentioned their commitment to addressing the recent events while refraining from making further comments.
The arrest came after a child was found emaciated, malnourished, and with open wounds and duct tape around its extremities. The child, whose identity was not revealed, was immediately taken to a local hospital due to its condition. The press release from the Santa Clara-Ivins Public Safety Department mentioned that officers then searched another residence nearby, suspecting that more children might be facing similar circumstances. In fact, they discovered another juvenile in a similar physical condition, who was also hospitalized. As a result, four additional minor children were placed under the care of the Department of Child and Family Services.
Franke’s estranged daughter, Shari, also spoke out following her mother’s arrest, expressing gratitude for the progress made towards justice and the safety of the children. Shari urged supporters to share any concerning content related to her mother’s YouTube channel, which had previously raised concerns among viewers about Franke’s parenting methods. However, attempts to contact Franke and Hildebrandt for comment have been unsuccessful.
In this troubling case of child abuse, Franke’s family members have voiced their support for the arrest and the safety of the children. Their joint statement emphasizes their long-standing efforts to protect the well-being of Franke’s children, along with their decision to address the recent events publicly. The statement also acknowledges the arrests of both Franke and Hildebrandt, stating that those actions were necessary for the safety of the children. The seriousness of the situation is echoed by the authorities, who found not just one, but two children in similarly distressing conditions, prompting a thorough investigation and the removal of six children from their care. As the legal proceedings progress, it remains essential to respect the privacy of the children and their family.
