A mother from Utah, Ruby Franke, who gained notoriety through her YouTube channel “8 Passengers,” dedicated to parenting advice, has been arrested on charges related to child abuse. In a disturbing turn of events, it was discovered that a malnourished minor with visible injuries and duct tape on their limbs was under her care.
Ms. Franke’s business partner, Jodi Hildebrandt, who collaborated with her on producing content for Hildebrandt’s life counseling service, ConneXions, also faces similar charges and was arrested. ConneXions, known for its parenting philosophy, had previously received criticism.
The authorities received a report about a juvenile in distress on Wednesday morning. The child was severely malnourished, with open wounds, and had duct tape around their extremities. They were immediately taken to a local hospital for immediate medical attention. Following the investigation, another juvenile in a similar condition was discovered and also transported to the hospital.
As a result, four minors found in the residence, all severely undernourished, were placed under the care of the Department of Child and Family Services. The shocking discovery has raised questions about the Frankes’ parenting approach and their YouTube channel, which had a large following of nearly 2.3 million subscribers before its unexpected removal from the platform earlier this year.
Concerns about the Frankes’ parenting methods were previously raised in June 2020 when viewers reported them to local child protective services after their 15-year-old son revealed in a video that he had been sleeping on a beanbag for seven months. Ms. Franke argued that it was his choice after being relocated from sharing a room with his younger brother due to behavioral concerns.
This recent arrest has brought renewed attention to the Frankes and their controversial parenting style. The investigation continues, and the exact reasons for the removal of their YouTube channel remain unclear.
FAQs:
1. What was Ruby Franke’s YouTube channel about?
Ruby Franke operated the “8 Passengers” family YouTube channel, which offered parenting advice and showcased her husband Kevin and their six children.
2. What charges are Ruby Franke and her business partner facing?
Ruby Franke and her business partner, Jodi Hildebrandt, are facing charges related to child abuse.
3. What happened to the juveniles found in the residence?
The severely undernourished juveniles were transported to a local hospital for medical attention, and four minors were placed under the custody of the Department of Child and Family Services.
4. What previous concerns were raised about the Frankes’ parenting approach?
In June 2020, viewers contacted child protective services after their 15-year-old son revealed in a video that he had been sleeping on a beanbag for seven months. The Frankes’ parenting style had previously faced criticism for actions like denying lunch to their child and threatening to discard their children’s belongings.