Ruby Franke, the woman behind the popular family vlogging Youtube channel, “8 Passengers”, and mother of six, has been arrested and charged with six counts of felony child abuse along with her business partner, Jodi Hildebrandt.
On Wednesday, Aug. 30, Franke’s 12-year-old son knocked on a neighbor’s door asking for help. The neighbor then dialed 911, prompting Franke’s arrest. Each count of felony child abuse can account for up to 15 years in prison.
“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 Washington County attorney said to NBC News.
According to NBC News, the boy had been at Hildebrandt’s house in Utah and exited the house by climbing out of a window, arriving at a neighbor’s house emaciated, wounded, and with tape around his wrists and ankles.
“This kid has obviously [been] detained. [He’s] covered in wounds,” the neighbor said to a 911 operator. “We need the cops as soon as possible.”
Later, Franke’s youngest daughter was found inside the house in a similar condition. Both of the children were transported to a local hospital because of their severe condition. Franke and her husband have six children total, four of which were taken into the Utah Division of Child and Family Services.
Started by Franke in 2015, the “8 Passengers” Youtube channel had accumulated up to 2.3 million subscribers bringing Franke and her family popularity online. The channel was taken down earlier this year, months before the arrest.
As of Sept. 18, Judge Suchada P. Bezelle is considering making the hearings and case information private. Kevin Franke’s attorney, Randy Kester, is in favor of closing the hearings to the public.
“As to the adults, I don’t think anybody cares,” Kester said. “But as to the kids … these kids have been through a lot, and to have all this media exposure to them, individually as little kids who have been manipulated, I think it’s better held privately.”
Franke and Hildebrandt are both still in custody. Their official criminal hearing date is set for after Oct. 5.
