Ruby Franke, an American influencer, and her business partner, Jodi Hildebrant, were arrested in August 2023 following the exposure of the horrific abuse inflicted on Franke’s children. The abuse came to light when Franke’s emaciated 12-year-old son managed to escape from Hildebrant’s residence in Utah and sought help from neighbors. The child had duct tape around his wrists and ankles, with visible lacerations on his body.
Subsequent investigation by the police revealed that Franke’s five other children were also found in distressing conditions similar to their sibling. The shocking crimes committed by Franke are now the subject of a Netflix documentary titled “Evil Influencer: The Jodi Hildebrandt Story,” which unravels the complex web of manipulation and abuse. Viewers have described the documentary as disturbing, infuriating, and heart-wrenching.
Franke and Hildebrandt are currently serving their sentence at the Utah State Correctional Facility after pleading guilty to multiple counts of child abuse. In a court statement as part of her guilty plea, Franke admitted to subjecting her son to physical torture, including holding his head underwater, kicking him while wearing boots, and restricting his breathing. She rationalized her actions as acts of repentance towards her children whom she believed to be evil.
The abuse extended to food deprivation, physical labor under harsh conditions, and isolation from basic amenities like electronics and proper meals. Franke’s daughter, aged nine at the time, also endured similar mistreatment. Hildebrandt acknowledged her complicity in the abuse and recounted forcing Franke’s youngest daughter to endure cruel punishments.
The arrests of Franke and Hildebrandt were met with relief by family members and authorities who had been alerted to the abuse previously. Franke’s eldest daughter expressed gratitude for the justice being served, while her ex-husband filed for divorce citing the atrocities committed by Franke as inhumane. Franke’s attorney placed blame on Hildebrandt for manipulating Franke and isolating her from her family.
Reflecting on the documentary, the director emphasized the importance of recognizing and preventing such manipulative and coercive behaviors. Franke issued a heartfelt apology to her children during sentencing, expressing deep remorse and acknowledging the harm inflicted upon them. The documentary sheds light on the importance of vigilance against such insidious forms of abuse in society.
If you have been affected by this story, support is available through Childline or the NSPCC Helpline. It is crucial to raise awareness and take action against abusive behaviors to prevent similar incidents in the future.