Tayyaba
Ruby Franke appeared disheveled in court for the first time along with Jodi Hildebrandt, also looking distraught, since their arrest last month on multiple charges of child abuse. The details surrounding their arrest have been revealed and here’s what we know:
Ruby Franke: Ex-Mom Bloggers First Court Hearing
A picture shared on Twitter by Southern Utah’s KUTV2 News reporter Brian Schnee shows Ruby Franke appearing for a hearing in a virtual environment, apparently disheveled and with unkempt hair and bags under her eyes. Franke, 41, has recently been moved from a holding cell to a medical block at Purgatory Correctional Facility, although the reason for the change is currently unknown. Her partner, Jodi Hildebrandt, also appeared virtually. During the hearing, which was reportedly delayed for more than an hour, a judge determined that the vlogger would be kept without bail indefinitely. Four of Franke’s kids are being held in the care of the Department of Child and Family Services.
What are some case details of Ruby Franke’s child abuse arrest?
On August 30, Ruby Franke, a mother of six, was arrested on charges of two counts of aggravated child abuse, followed by four further charges of child abuse a week later. Her business partner, Jodi Hildebrandt, was also jailed. They were both detained in Hildebrandt’s home in Ivins, Utah, when one of Franke’s children escaped through a window to a neighbor and asked for food and water. The neighbor alerted authorities, leading to the discovery of another child in emaciated condition, looking malnourished with it’s extremities bound in duct tape.
Following the arrest of the 8 Passengers YouTuber, her sisters (Ellie Mecham, Bonnie Hoellein and Julie Deru) issued a statement on social mediare saying that justice “needed to happen.” “For the last 3 years we have kept quiet on the subject of our sister Ruby Franke for the sake of her children. Behind the public scene we have done everything we could to try and make sure the kids were safe,” began the trio’s statement. “Ruby was arrested which needed to happen. Jodi was arrested which needed to happen. The kids are now safe, which is the number one priority.” Ruby Franke’s estranged daughter Shari also posted on social media saying that she’s relieved that the parenting advice YouTuber has been taken away: “Finally.”