A family counselor named Jodie Hildebrandt, originally thought to be a potential source of support for the children of popular vlogger Ruby Franke, was revealed to have cooperated with Franke in subjecting the children to distressing abuse.
Franke, who started her online presence in 2015, formed a bond with Hildebrandt in 2019 after meeting through their shared Mormon community. Hildebrandt, aged 56, held a prominent position in the Mormon Church and operated a life coaching business. Meanwhile, Franke gained recognition by showcasing her family life with her six children and her then-husband Kevin Franke on the YouTube channel 8 Passengers.
The relationship between Franke and Hildebrandt deepened, with Hildebrandt becoming significantly involved in Franke’s life, ultimately leading to severe mistreatment of two of Franke’s youngest children.
The disturbing reality of their actions came to light through the Netflix documentary “Evil Influencer: The Jodi Hildebrandt Story” after Franke’s 12-year-old son sought help from a neighbor by revealing injuries and malnourishment on August 30, 2023. This led to the rescue of Franke’s son and his nine-year-old sister from Hildebrandt’s mansion in Utah, where both Franke and Hildebrandt were arrested.
Franke, who had a religious foundation and posted family vlogs with a religious undertone, faced criticism for her disciplinary methods shown in her YouTube videos. Concerns escalated when reports to child protective services were made, including an incident where her son was forced to sleep on a bean bag for several months as a punishment. Franke’s harsh treatment methods, such as withholding Christmas presents and neglecting her daughter’s basic needs, indicated a troubling pattern that went unnoticed until the abuse was exposed.
The Frankes’ separation in 2022 marked a turning point as Franke moved in with Hildebrandt, who influenced Franke’s behavior and beliefs to alarming extents, as detailed in court documents. The abuse inflicted on Franke’s children from May to August 2023 included physical torment, deprivation of food and water, and cruel punishments, all orchestrated by Franke and aided by Hildebrandt.
Following Franke’s arrest, her four minor children were placed in the care of the Utah Division of Child and Family Services, and her ex-husband Kevin Franke eventually gained full custody. Both Franke and Hildebrandt were sentenced to lengthy prison terms in February 2024 for their heinous acts.
Franke acknowledged her distorted beliefs in court, expressing regret for the trauma she caused her children. Her eldest children, Shari and Chad, have since moved on with their lives, with Shari penning a memoir and Chad pursuing a career as a realtor and getting married. The identities of the abused children remain undisclosed for privacy reasons.