UPDATE: On February 20, popular parenting YouTuber Ruby Franke and her business partner Jodi Hildebrandt were sentenced for their crimes.
According to TODAY, Ruby received four separate prison sentences for 1 to 15 years, which will run consecutively, meaning she could spend up to 60 years in prison for abusing her children. However, due to a Utah law regarding consecutive sentences, Ruby likely will not serve more than 30 years.
Hildebrandt received the same sentence. Both Franke and Hildebrant pleaded guilty to four counts of aggravated child abuse in 2023.
12-Year-Old Son of Ruby Franke Said He Was Tied Up and Abused By Mother’s Business Partner, Jodi Hildebrandt
September 22, 2023 / Celebrities, Crime & Tragedy, Entertainment, News / By Ryan Brennan
Ruby Franke and her business partner, Jodi Hildebrandt, raised a lot of questions three weeks ago when Franke’s 12-year-old son escaped Hildebrandt’s home and was discovered by their neighbor – who said the emaciated little boy had duct tape on his ankles and wrists, and was asking for food and water.
Some of those questions are being answered (at least partly) with the release of search warrants that were made public earlier this week. According to the 12-year-old boy, who spoke with police on the day he was found, it was Jodi who tied him up with duct tape and rope – but the child abuse didn’t end there.
The little boy revealed that they would use cayenne pepper and honey to ‘dress up’ his wounds that were left behind from the rope and duct tape. Authorities say the presence of a remedy for the wounds proves that Hildebrandt, at the very best, knew of the abuse – even if she wasn’t the one to initiate the abuse.
“Officers found that the victim’s mother, Ruby Franke, had left her three children in the care of Jodi Hildebrand. Officers also found that Jodi Hildebrandt had posted several posts on social media and YouTube channels, where she discusses mental health and family therapy,” one of the warrants read.
There were three search warrants signed in total – two on August 30th (the day the 911 call was placed by the neighbor) and another on August 31st (the day after). The first warrant was for Jodi’s property, the second was for communication between Jodi and Ruby, and the third was for Jodi’s cell phone records.
A search of Jodi’s home found numerous items that raised concerns – Scott’s Tape, Saran wrap, appears, notes, a journal, bowls containing a ‘red liquid’ and metal spoon, Coban bandages with white socks, super absorbent dressings, brown and white rope, handcuffs, carabiners, and gauzes near honey and cayenne pepper.
After arriving at the home, they found a second juvenile who refused to speak to the police. There was also a mention of a potential ‘safe room’ in the basement of Jodi’s home, but it was unclear if anyone was inside. A second search of the home (when they seized the items) made no mention of the safe room.
Police Seized Any Devices Jodi Hildebrandt Used to Communicate With Ruby Franke
A second warrant, which was signed later in the day on August 30, petitioned for ‘any and all cell phones, audio recordings, computers, tablets, laptops, surveillance footage, doorbell cameras and any other communication device used to send text messages or email or any other audio/visual communications.’
Police were mostly interested in any devices that could’ve potentially been used by Jodi Hildebrandt to communicate with Ruby Franke. The return document revealed that authorities seized ‘three Apple iPhones and four Apple Mac Book computers.’ It’s unclear if they found anything on those devices.
Finally, a third search warrant – which was signed the following morning – requested Hildebrandt’s personal cell phone that was in her possession when the officers arrested her. Unfortunately, there was no return document and it’s unclear if they seized her phone. They did, however, learn something new.
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“Ms. Hildebrandt requested a lawyer and did not speak with us. Ms. Hildebrandt informed me that ** and ** (the two children) should never be allowed around any other kids,” the affidavit read. It’s unclear why she said that. While the warrants answered some questions, they definitely raised new questions.
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