CRIME, POLICE + COURTS

Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt receive prison sentences for aggravated child abuse

Feb 20, 2024, 8:31 AM | Updated: 10:49 am

Ruby Franke appears in a virtual court appearance....

Ruby Franke is pictured appearing during a virtual court appearance. (Screenshot from a virtual hearing)

(Screenshot from a virtual hearing)

ST. GEORGE — The two women at the center of a high-profile child abuse case in Utah were sentenced Tuesday after they both pleaded guilty to four counts of aggravated child abuse in December.

Ruby Franke, known for her now-deleted 8 Passengers YouTube channel, was sentenced to four terms of one-to-15 years in prison that will be served consecutively.

Jodi Hildebrandt also received four consecutive sentences of one to 15 years in prison.

Franke said that over the past four years, she followed counseling that led her to a dark place. She claimed her belief and “paranoia” led her to the criminal activity.

“I take full accountability for my actions,” she said during Tuesday’s hearing.

She said she and Hildebrandt inflicted the injuries and she apologizes to her husband, Kevin Franke, who has filed for divorce. She also apologizes to her children, saying she was in a situation where she believed right was wrong and wrong was right.

Read the full story from KSL TV.

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Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt receive prison sentences for aggravated child abuse