Eko Hot Blog reports that Ruby Franke, a well-known mother and online personality, has been handed down a significant sentence after pleading guilty to four counts of aggravated child abuse.
The 42-year-old, famous for her parenting blog, “8 Passengers,” has been sentenced to serve one to 15 years in a Utah prison for each count, to be served consecutively.
In her statement during sentencing, Franke expressed acceptance of her charges, stating, “My charges are just. They offer safety to my family, accountability to the public, and they did show mercy to me.”
The charges stem from incidents of abuse documented on her now-deleted YouTube channel, where she vlogged about her family life.
Franke’s troubles began when her 12-year-old son fled and sought help from a neighbor, leading to her arrest in August. The abuse detailed in court documents includes withholding food and water from her children, physically assaulting her son, and even depriving him of oxygen.
Despite initially facing six charges, Franke pleaded guilty to four as part of a plea deal. Her business partner, Jodi Hildebrandt, who was also implicated in the abuse, reached a similar agreement with prosecutors. Both Franke and Hildebrandt now have 30 days to appeal their sentences.
Reflecting on her actions, Franke admitted to following a “distorted version of reality” for years, isolating herself from anyone who challenged her beliefs. Meanwhile, Hildebrandt expressed remorse in court, hoping for the healing and progress of the victims.
The sentencing marks a significant fall from grace for Franke, whose parenting advice once reached millions online. Now, she faces the consequences of her actions, with the hope that justice will lead to healing for her family and the affected children.
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