Utah police arrested a YouTuber on Wednesday after a malnourished 12-year-old child reportedly fled from her business partner’s home.
Ruby Franke, 41, the vlogger behind “8 Passengers,” and her business partner Jodi Hildebrandt, 54, were arrested after the child allegedly climbed out of Hildebrandt’s Ivins home and asked a neighbor for food and water. The neighbor noticed duct tape on the child’s arms and wrists and called police, who spotted open wounds on the child, according to KSTU.
Officers encountered a 10-year-old girl at Hildebrandt’s home who initially refused treatment. KTVX reported that the girl eventually changed her mind, and she was also deemed malnourished by medical professionals.
Hildebrandt directly cared for the children, but police suspect Franke was aware of the abuse as she filmed a YouTube video in Hildebrandt’s basement two days before Wednesday’s incident.
Franke reportedly did not speak to cops and requested a lawyer. Hildebrand commented that the children should “never be around any other kids” — further leading police to believe she was aware of the abuse.
According to Insider, Hildebrandt is a therapist whose license was put on probation in 2012 for publicly discussing a patient’s porn addiction without their permission. Alongside Franke, she created a mental-health YouTube channel called “ConneXions” which some have criticized for its authoritarian teachings.
Insider reported that in September 2022, Franke’s oldest daughter took to Instagram to announce that she has no contact with her immediate family. She also disavowed ConneXions.
“Today has been a big day. Me and my family are so glad justice is being served. We’ve been trying to tell the police and CPS for years about this, and so glad they finally decided to step up,” she wrote on Instagram following Franke and Hildebrandt’s arrests.
Franke and Hildebrandt are charged with aggravated child abuse. Franke was ordered to remain jailed without bail. The Santa Clara-Ivins Public Safety Department said in a statement that four children were removed from the home.
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[Featured image: Ruby Franke/YouTube]
