On August 30, 2023, authorities arrested Ruby Franke, a family content YouTuber, for allegedly abusing her children. Almost 10 years ago, Franke gained attention for posting controversial parenting advice on her YouTube channel, 8 Passengers, which featured her husband and their six children.
The authorities arrested Franke and her business partner, Julie Hildebrandt, on child abuse charges. Reports indicate that the police arrested individuals after discovering a malnourished minor with open wounds and duct tape on their body. The arrest came as a shock to many because Ruby Franke was a successful vlogger.
Before authorities took it down earlier this year, her channel, 8Passengers, gained nearly 2.3 million subscribers. But how did the authorities apprehend Ruby Franke, and where did they arrest her?
Ruby Franke: Where and how did the police arrest her?
Authorities arrested Ruby Franke and her business partner, Julie Hildebrandt, in Ivins, Utah, after Franke’s 12-year-old son climbed out a window and ran to a neighbor’s house, seeking food and water. According to NPR, the neighbor, who noticed duct tape around the child’s ankles and wrists, called the police. Police arrived at the site and followed evidence to a nearby home, finding another juvenile similarly affected. Officials took both individuals to the hospital for treatment.
After finding emaciated juveniles during a home search, the Department of Child and Family Services intervened. Officials apprehended the pair, which was confirmed by the Washington County Attorney, for child abuse leading to their custody.
“There are two juvenile victims in these cases, and each defendant is accused of causing or permitting serious physical injury to the victims in three different ways: (1) a combination of multiple physical injuries or torture, (2) starvation or malnutrition that jeopardizes life, and (3) causing severe emotional harm,” the attorney told NBC.
Ruby Franke and Hildebrandt might get 15 years in prison and up to US$10,000 fine per child abuse count. Currently, both the accused are behind bars since their arrest.
