Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt Sentenced in Child Abuse Case
YouTuber Ruby Franke, a former family vlogger who pleaded guilty to four counts of aggravated child abuse, was sentenced on Tuesday to four terms of one to 15 years in prison. Franke’s prior business partner, Jodi Hildebrandt, received the same sentence on Tuesday at Washington County 5th District Court in Utah.
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NewsTranscript
00:00 Good morning ladies and gentlemen, welcome to District Court.
00:03 We're here for sentencing in the matter of State of Utah v. Ruby Franklin.
00:09 I would like to make a statement without any intent to change my stipulated sentence.
00:15 For the past four years, I've chosen to follow counsel and guidance that has led me into a dark delusion.
00:23 My distorted version of reality went largely unchecked as I would isolate from anyone who challenged me.
00:30 I was led to believe that this world was an evil place, filled with cops who control,
00:35 hospitals that injure, government agencies that brainwash, church leaders who lie and lust,
00:44 husbands who refuse to protect, and children who need abused.
00:52 It is important to me to demonstrate my remorse and regret without blame.
00:57 I take full accountability for my choices, and it is my preference that I serve a prison sentence.
01:05 My mother-in-law, father-in-law, Kevin's family, my cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and neighbors,
01:13 you all saw the warning signs long before I did, and you did what you could.
01:19 You wanted to help, but I pushed you away.
01:24 My mother and father, I have been utterly wretched to you.
01:30 You have offered me unconditional love, and for that I have offered you unconditional contempt.
01:37 My siblings and their spouses, because of my decision to roll around in a pigsty,
01:43 I've dragged your families through the mud in public.
01:47 I'm committed to continuing my learning until all of my toxic layers are shed,
01:52 and I am ready to re-enter as a contributing member of our beautiful society.
01:57 Thank you, Judge Walton.
01:58 She committed horrible acts of child abuse.
02:01 From May to August in 2023, Ms. Franke and her business partner held her two children,
02:06 ages 9 and 11, turning 12, in a concentration camp-like setting.
02:12 The children were regularly denied food, water, beds to sleep in,
02:17 and virtually all forms of entertainment.
02:19 They were beaten, and the 12-year-old was regularly bound hand and foot
02:23 after he attempted to run away in mid-July.
02:26 Both children had extensive physical injuries from the abuse
02:30 that required hospitalization when they were found.
02:33 The injuries from the binding to the 12-year-old are particularly awful.
02:39 The sentence will be that Ms. Franke serve four counts for one to 15-year sentences
02:49 based on her convictions for four counts of aggravated child abuse.
02:55 Again, they will be served consecutively pursuant to the parties' agreement
03:03 and the applicable statute.
03:06 Under the applicable statute, the court finds that consecutive sentences are appropriate.