The business partner of YouTuber Ruby Franke has been accused of abusing her niece as both women face charges for abusing Franke’s children.
Jessi Hildebrandt, who uses they/them pronouns, told KUTV that their aunt, Jodi Hildebrandt, abused them as a child while claiming it was therapy. Jessi Hildebrandt said the abuse occurred when they lived with their aunt more than 10 years ago.
They told KUTV, “I experienced being tied, I experienced being duct taped, I experienced being blindfolded, I experienced severe isolation, I experienced severe emotional, spiritual and psychological abuse. I experienced being told I shouldn’t be around other people, that I was dangerous to be around, people were afraid of me to the point that I was afraid of myself, I was forced to sleep outside in the snow.”
Jessi Hildebrandt also said they believe their aunt was the “mastermind” of the abuse involving Franke’s children.
On August 30, Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt were arrested after Franke’s malnourished 12-year-old son reportedly escaped a home with duct tape on his ankles and wrists. Franke’s son reportedly went to a neighbor’s home to ask for food and water. That neighbor called police, leading cops to Jodi Hildebrandt’s home, where they allegedly located a 10-year-old child who was reportedly also malnourished.
Franke’s two children were staying with Jodi Hildebrandt at the time of their arrests. Jodi Hildebrandt directly cared for the children, but police suspect Franke was aware of the abuse as she filmed a YouTube video in Jodi Hildebrandt’s basement two days before Wednesday’s incident.
Jodi Hildebrand allegedly commented that the children should “never be around any other kids” — further leading police to believe she was aware of the abuse. Gauze was reportedly found in her home.
Franke’s four children were placed in the state’s care following last month’s incident. She and Jodi Hildebrandt remain jailed without bond.
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[Featured image: Jodi Hildebrandt, Ruby Franke/Instagram]
