Ruby Frank was charged with six felony counts of aggravated child abuse.
Former YouTube vlogger Ruby Franke, known for providing parenting advice to millions of people online, was sentenced to up to 60 years in prison on Tuesday after pleading guilty to child abuse charges. independent.
Frank, a mother of six, broke down in tears as she spoke in court before Judge Richard Christofferson sentenced her to four consecutive prison terms ranging from one to 15 years. The sentences reportedly stem from four counts of child abuse she pleaded guilty to in December. newspaper.
The charges relate to the abuse of Franke’s two children, aged 9 and 11 at the time, allegedly involving psychological manipulation, food deprivation and isolation. Prosecutors described the victim’s living conditions as “concentration camp-like” and said she posed a significant threat to the community.
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Frank’s former business partner Jody Hildebrandt, who also participated in the abuse, received the same sentence.
“Children are often denied food, water, a bed to sleep in, and virtually all forms of entertainment,” Utah State Attorney Eric Clark said.
In court, Frank burst into tears after the sentencing. She apologized to her children and said: “I was disoriented and thought darkness was light and right was wrong.”
“I was led to believe the world was an evil place filled with controlling police, hurting hospitals, brainwashing government agencies, lying and lustful church leaders, husbands who refused to protect, and children who needed abuse,” she said.
In August 2023, Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt were arrested following an incident involving Franke’s 12-year-old son who was malnourished. The child escaped from the window of Hildebrandt’s residence in Ivins, Utah, seeking help from neighbors for food and water. The child suffered cuts from being restrained by a rope, police records show.
