YouTube Parenting Influencer Pleads Guilty to Child Abuse Charges
In a shocking turn of events, Ruby Franke, a former YouTube parenting influencer known for her channel "8 Passengers," has pleaded guilty to four counts of aggravated child abuse.
Franke, who once had more than two million subscribers, admitted to intentionally inflicting serious harm on two of her children, aged nine and 12. The charges stem from an incident in August when her emaciated 12-year-old son sought help from a neighbour, displaying signs of malnourishment and having been restrained.
Franke's arrest occurred at the home of her business partner, Jodi Hildebrandt, a relationship counsellor and life coach. Hildebrandt faces similar charges, and her next court hearing is set for December 27.
Franke's lawyer attributes her actions to being "led astray" by Hildebrandt, who allegedly isolated Franke from her family and influenced her with a "distorted sense of morality."
The court documents outline distressing instances of abuse, including Franke subjecting her son to physical labour, isolation, and withholding adequate water. Franke's 10-year-old daughter also suffered similar mistreatment. The children were told they were "evil" and needed the abuse as acts of love for repentance.
Franke's fall from grace comes as no surprise to followers who had criticised her parenting style for years. The controversial parenting influencer's fame reached its peak in 2015, but her channel was deactivated earlier this year. Meanwhile, four of Franke's children, all under 18, have been placed in state custody.
Franke's sentencing is scheduled for February 20, with the possibility of up to 60 years in prison and a $40,000 fine.
