1 year since Ruby Franke, Jodi Hildebrandt arrested for child abuse: Where the case stands

SALT LAKE CITY — It’s been one year since Youtube family vlogger Ruby Franke and her former business partner Jodi Hildebrandt were arrested for child abuse.

Both women are now serving four consecutive terms of one to 15 years each term in the Utah State Prison.

KSL TV took Chopper 5 down to Hildebrandt’s Ivins neighborhood last year. It’s where Franke’s youngest son escaped through one of the home’s windows on Aug. 30, 2023.

Investigators found rope, bindings and other items used to torture the boy and his sibling. The prosecution said the then 9- and 11-year-old were held in a concentration camp-like setting.

“The abuse was horrific and it would have been apparent… to anybody that would have seen the kids,” said state prosecutor Eric Clarke.

Read more: Kevin Franke files lawsuit against Jodi Hildebrandt over emotional distress

The former family vlogger tearfully apologized to her family and friends at her sentencing.

“I am humbled and willing to serve at present a prison sentence as long as it takes to continue unraveling all of the misinformation I have believed,” Ruby Franke said.

Hildebrandt did not apologize at her sentencing. She said she didn’t want the victims to have to go through a trial.

“I desire for them to heal physically and emotionally,” Hildebrandt said before the judge.

How much time will they serve?

The Utah Board of Pardons and Parole will decide exactly how long each woman would be in prison. Ruby Franke and Hildebrandt were originally scheduled to go before the board this month. That date was recently pushed to December 2026.

“It is a lot to deal with every day the questions of what if, what could have been done, what should have happened, what I should have done, what others should have done, it haunts you,” said Ruby’s estranged husband, Kevin Franke.

Read the full story from KSL TV here.