The horrifying abuse of two young children by their mother, Ruby Franke, and her business partner, Jodi Hildebrandt, was documented in home security videos released by Utah prosecutors. The children were beaten, starved, and forced to endure manual labor in hot conditions without water, beds, or any forms of entertainment. They were also hidden away when guests came over, denying them any outside interaction. The abuse was discovered when one of the children, an emaciated 12-year-old boy, managed to escape and ask neighbors for help, sparking a police response.
The video footage showed the boy politely asking a neighbor for help, revealing he had duct tape around his ankles and wrists, sores, and was hungry and thirsty. The neighbor immediately called 911, leading to paramedics and authorities examining the child and documenting his injuries, including cuts, extreme thinness, and signs of abuse. The boy was given food and drink and found to have ankle and wrist injuries. Franke’s diary entries were also released, detailing her disturbing views on the child being possessed by Satan, and the extreme methods she and Hildebrandt used to punish him.
The abuse, which authorities described as motivated by religious extremism, took place while Franke ran an online self-improvement program with Hildebrandt and managed a popular YouTube channel about parenting. One diary entry described the child as disobedient and suggested that his behavior was influenced by Satan. Franke also wrote about the child’s refusal to complete exercises, his soiled clothing, and instances where he fell and injured himself while trying to follow her demands. The abuse went on for an extended period before being uncovered by the child’s escape and subsequent plea for help.
Both Franke and Hildebrandt pleaded guilty to four counts of aggravated child abuse and were sentenced to prison terms ranging from four to 30 years. Franke’s husband, Kevin, described Hildebrandt as a “cult leader” who had isolated him from his family and falsely claimed to be treating a pornography addiction. Kevin was unaware of the abuse that was taking place, revealing the extent to which the children were hidden from the outside world. The incident raised concerns about the dangers of religious extremism and the methods of punishment that some parents may employ when influenced by extreme beliefs.
The case of Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt highlighted the severe consequences of child abuse motivated by religious extremism. The disturbing diary entries released to the public provided insight into the abusive practices carried out against the children, revealing the psychological torment they endured at the hands of their own mother. The quick action of the neighbor and the subsequent police response led to the discovery of the abuse and the eventual arrests of both perpetrators. The case served as a stark reminder of the importance of being vigilant in identifying signs of abuse and ensuring the safety and well-being of children who may be victims of such heinous acts.
