Twisted YouTube influencer Ruby Franke inflicted horrific abuse on her children, whom she claimed were “evil and possessed,” according to a disturbing confession unsealed Tuesday.
The disgraced influencer admitted he tortured his 12-year-old son by forcing him to work outside for long hours from May 22 to Aug. 30 and tying his legs when he tried to escape, according to court documents obtained by The Post.
During the summer, Franke worked as a pre-teen in hot conditions without enough water until she suffered “repeated and serious sunburns,” according to court documents.
He also physically assaulted the boy for hours. When the child tried to escape in July, Franke tied his hands and feet.
“Many times, the bond includes two sets of handcuffs, one on [the child’s] wrist and one in the ankle,” according to gruesome details in court documents.
“Sometimes, with [the child] lying on his stomach, ropes were used to tie two sets of handcuffs so that his arms and lower legs were raised off the ground.”
Ruby Franke takes a deep breath during the trial Dec. 18, 2023 in St. George, Utah, before pleading guilty. AP Ruby Franke was arrested after her 12-year-old son escaped and ran for help. moms_of_truth/instagram
Franke would simply treat the boy’s wound with “homeopathic medicine and cover it with duct tape.”
Franke, who touted her parenting advice until she was charged with child abuse, pleaded guilty Monday but said she was still a “devoted mother.”
The mother of six was shackled in a Utah courtroom wearing a gray and white prison outfit and pleaded guilty to four felony counts of second-degree aggravated child abuse in relation to her two children.
“With deep regret and sadness for my family and my children, guilty,” Franke replied when asked by the judge how he intended to enter the plea.
Under the plea agreement, Franke agreed to serve a prison sentence with the sentences running consecutively. Each charge carries a prison sentence of between one and 15 years.
He will return to court for sentencing on February 20.
Ruby Franke admitted to tying her son’s hands and feet and starving him. He also mentally and physically abused his 9-year-old daughter, according to court documents. Instagram/@moms_of_truth Momfluencer Ruby Franke of the YouTube channel “8 Passengers” was arrested for aggravated child abuse, but her husband, Kevin, denied any wrongdoing. passenger_official_/Instagram
Franke also admitted he kicked his son while wearing boots, held his head underwater and cut off his oxygen by putting his hand over his mouth, the plea agreement said.
The disgraced “8 Passengers” host also abused his 9-year-old daughter, forcing her to complete physical tasks and denying her food and water.
Franke told her two children that the torture they were going through was “an act of love,” and that they were both “evil and possessed.”
Ruby Franke’s neighbors alerted police about the YouTuber before she was arrested on child abuse charges. moms_of_truth/Instagram Jodi Hildebrandt (left) was also charged with child abuse. moms_of_truth/Instagram
The YouTube channel “8 Passengers” at one point amassed 2.5 million subscribers and followed the lives of Franke, her husband, Kevin, and their six children.
Kevin Franke denied having any part in the abuse, according to his attorney.
Ruby Franke and her co-defendant, relationship counselor and business partner Jodi Hildebrandt, were arrested on August 30 after the 12-year-old boy managed to escape from Hildebrandt’s home in Ivins, Utah.
The boy went to a neighbor’s house, who said the child was emaciated, had tape on his leg and was “covered in gashes,” according to a 911 call released by police.
Ruby Franke’s defense attorney, LaMar Winward, said his client was influenced by Hildebrandt.
The lawyer added Hildebrandt allegedly “systematically isolated” Franke from her extended family, her older children and her husband.
“Ruby Franke is a devoted mother and a woman committed to continuous improvement,” Winward Law said in a statement.
Franke initially believed that Hildebrandt “had the vision to offer a path toward continuous improvement,” but said Hildebrandt “took advantage of this search and turned it into something vile.”
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
