Parenting Influencer Ruby Franke Admits to Child Abuse Charges

A once-popular YouTube parent vlogger was arrested in August after her son was found emaciated and with duct tape on his limbs by a neighbour. 

Ruby Franke faced six child abuse charges in the US state of Utah. She admitted four of them today.

Who is she, what controversy has she stirred before and what led to her arrest? Here is everything you need to know.

Who is Ruby Franke and what was her YouTube channel?

Ruby Franke and her husband launched their family YouTube channel, 8 Passengers, in early 2015.

The channel chronicled the lives of the parents and their six children and focused on parenting style, the children’s upbringing and discipline.

The parents, members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (known as the Mormon Church), also shared their children’s home-schooling.

The channel gained 2.3 million subscribers before it was removed earlier this year.

What is Ruby Franke charged with?

Franke and her business partner Jodi Hildebrandt were both charged with six counts of aggravated child abuse.

Each count carries a prison sentence of up to 15 years and a fine of up to $10,000 (£8,044).

In Utah, aggravated child abuse is defined as an act that “inflicts upon a child serious physical injury” or “causes or permits another to inflict serious physical injury upon a child”.

“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 jeopardises life, and (3) causing severe emotional harm,” the Washington County Attorney in Utah told Sky News’s sister outlet NBC News.

Who is Jodi Hildebrandt?

Hildebrandt founded the controversial life counselling organisation ConneXions, which Franke became a key part of.

The two women created advice videos that critics say promote a harsh style of parenting.

Hildebrandt has agreed not to see patients until the allegations against her are addressed by state licensing officials.

Her next court hearing is set for 27 December, according to court records.