6 Shocking Revelations from Ruby Franke's Child Abuse Journal: 'Selfish Children'

KZbinr turned convicted felon and child abuser Ruby Franke detailed three months of physical and psychological abuse that she and Jodi Hildebrandt inflicted upon her 12-year-old son and 10-year-old daughter in the summer of 2023. Franke claimed her children were visited by satan and demons. The children were forced to perform harsh physical labor and endure starvation. Law&Crime's Angenette Levy talks with forensic psychiatrist Dr. Daniel Bober about Franke's journal and the revelations in this episode of Crime Fix - a daily show that delves into the biggest stories in crime.
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Host:
Angenette Levy: / angenette5
Guest:
Dr. Daniel Bober
#RubyFranke #KZbinMom #LawAndCrime
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[@LawAndCrime]

View All the Newly Released Evidence in Ruby Franke's Case: bit.ly/3Ptpohm Subscribe to Law&Crime Network: bit.ly/LawAndCrimeNetwork Get 50% off of confidential background reports at www.truthfinder.com/lccrimefix and access information about almost anyone!

[@CJCox-qf6yo]

I’m not kidding when I say Ruby Franke should get the Jeffrey Dahmer treatment in prison.

[@jackienahuel6115]

Horrible

[@Picklepop670]

She sounds mentally ill. Those poor kids.

[@Emmastoughmom]

4:34 You missed blocking out E’s name.

[@gmimi2]

The host saying "I'm not going to say the kids names" BUT Law and Crime will show pictures of them throughout the whole show 🙄.

[@cassy420blaze]

3:13 Her son saying that, "he would rather have a glass of water than to have her as a mom". SAYS A LOT!!!!!!!!!!! 😦

[@michelleg4069]

Says Everything!😳

[@rightsarentwrong]

Says everything. That poor, sweet child.

[@Atillatcele]

Glass of water > Ruby Franke as a mother. He made the right choice.

[@helyns1416]

And I'm sure he was begging for water and she held it over him like "if you loved me and wanted me as your mother you wouldn't want water."

[@barbh1]

She might have said something like will you obey me or drink water? He was probably thirsty and she was punishing him by withholding water. I remember how thirsty I would get as a child, and it's really torture to not be able to drink.

[@luminousmoon86]

This isn't just abuse. This was torture. They were holding these children captive and torturing them. I feel sick.

[@namelessgrace6319]

You're exactly right.

[@nele238]

After seeing all of this I now understand why that one neighbor said they feared the kids would come out in bodybags..

[@kylee2556]

Attempted murder in my opinion.

[@cruisinguy6024]

@@kylee2556it’s definitely not attempted murder. Might want to look up what that means

[@cruisinguy6024]

I made the mistake of looking at the unedited abuse photos. The flesh injuries were horrific and far worse than what I expected, these women are incredibly cruel.

[@Draculady123]

R is a true hero. Remember, he had previously tried to escape and was punished harshly for it. And he still was brave enough to sneak out and get help. A true blue soldier!

[@crystalDM96]

Yep! After his first escape attempt Ruby tied his arms and legs to ropes, and attached them to weights. So that whenever he moved, he'd have to drag the weights behind him which led to his horrific injuries

[@CarolineDiana11]

​@crystalDM96 where did you find that out?

[@chickenlover657]

@@CarolineDiana11 It was all over the news a while back, duh.

[@fallencaryatidcv]

He knew he had to get them out before the ranch property was bought or they’d never survive what was yet to come.

[@THECROWNROYALSHollywoodFashion]

I am still wondering how their father skated around this. What father (loving one) let a year pass without seeing HIS children. Don't trust him~

[@kenginger8051]

One thing I have learned from watching dozens of child abuse cases: parental obsession with potty habits in older kids or a child "stealing" food are signs of child abuse

[@NotAnotherKuromi]

I agree, being overly controlling and not letting them naturally relive themselves or feed themselves are common abusive tactics of parents/adults towards children. Then when the poor children naturally end up soiling themselves and attempting to/ successfully sneaking/"stealing" food they use this as "proof" the child is the problem, when they are the sole cause. It infuriates me and I feel so sorry for any children/survivors who have had to endure such physical and psychological abuse.

[@gemelindacjp7976]

We need to be careful of over-generalizing. Obviously the children who are the subject of this video were malnourished due to abuse. However, there are some diseases or syndromes where children will overeat (hyperphagia) if allowed easy access to food, causing themselves other medical issues, like diabetes. One example is Prader-Willi syndrome. I imagine there are other genetic/hormonal/metabolic issues where the parents need to control access to food. We can't assume that a parent is abusive based solely on controlling access to food.

[@Luckyforus686]

@@gemelindacjp7976I don’t think the distinction needs to be made. If you’ve ever met any child with PWS, it’s pretty obvious they aren’t being starved to death

[@cchastee0614]

This is true. My sister wet the bed until she was 11 due to the abuse my mother inflicted on us. It was horrible. My bio dad and mom split so I was fortunate to get an escape when going to my dad's (who was an absolutely amazing father). He tried to save as much as he could to take my mom to court and get custody of me. The system was so screwed up... but my poor sister didn't have an escape as our mom was married to her dad. This whole case breaks my heart. No kid should EVER have to endure this. Abuse follows you..and they have no control to stop it as children..it's sick.

[@michele2566]

i have not once ever yelled or punished my kids when they would have accidents during potty training. i have made it a point to love them and let them know it's oky when you have accidents while they were crying because they peed the bed i was hugging them telling them it's oky. i didn't try to potty train to early either i think 2 3 yrs old is too young and they should potty train with love and on their time, parents rush this process because they don't want to be bothered with diapers or pull ups. i think parents need to adjust their expectations my boys are 7 and some times they pee the bed. and i still say it's oky i love you lets put your clothes in the washer machine. clean them up and put them in my bed. i sleep on the couch. CHILDREN ARE INNOCENT BEINGS WE MUST NOT IMPOSE OUR WILL ONTO THEM. They deserve so much more. I believe there is a special place for abusers where they will be punished accordly and painfully.

[@eh1702]

The “peeing and pooping” in the days before they escaped - their physical systems were breaking down. This was the start of organ failure.

[@eh1702]

She talks about BOTH children becoming incontinent. That’s not coincidental.

[@luciaconn6788]

thank-you for pointing this out, the kids don't need the stigma

[@lindacummings1699]

Exactly, These children were slowly dying.

[@serensighs]

Yep. These children were very nearly starved to death. I can't believe RF had the physical and emotional strength to leave when he did. He saved their lives.

[@onionbubs386]

Yup. I once went two weeks only consuming liquids and it was the only time in my adult life where I soiled myself. Thankfully it was at home and not in public. At some point, you lose control of those bodily functions.

[@grapevinez6026]

They were never going to stop, R saved his and his sister's lives.

[@Scspencer25]

They weren't, they never could have been 'obedient' enough

[@louwinters508]

​@@Scspencer25 They were going to move to Arizona. Where they would have a ranch and Ruby hoped the kids would be kicked by some horses. She's sadistic. Jodie never made her say these things. Who says. My kids need to be kicked by some horses and to be left out in the Arizona desert.

[@Scspencer25]

@@louwinters508 this was all Ruby, Jodi encouraged her to let her sadistic side out.

[@lovelyt8022]

@@Scspencer25remember Jodi did this to her own niece. They encouraged each other

[@kcjd8659]

@@louwinters508if he hadn’t escaped before being taken to a remote ranch for “discipline,” I think we all know what the headlines would have been. I hope both parents are kept away from all children for the rest of their lives.

[@thebeautyoflife327]

This is even more horrific than I expected. Endlessly proud of that little boy for saving himself and his sister and exposing these crimes.

[@MeganVictoriaKearns]

She's punishing her kids for having a literal TRAUMA RESPONSE from the abuse she herself inflicted upon them.

[@zombievariant]

It's just a more extreme version of every parent who scares their kid and then goes "I'll give you something to cry about." Unfortunately most parents are abusive to SOME degree.

[@emilymarek4714]

They talk about the devil as if it’s someone else, and not THEM. They emulate pure EVIL!!!

[@barbh1]

Like Lori and Chad, they believed in demons taking over bodies. Lucky these two were stopped before they killed somebody.

[@aliciakillen1940]

Yep, the devil was inside alright…but not in the children. It’s not mental illness, stop giving exc. some people are just evil. FULL STOP, that’s it, that it all.

[@ladybri97]

evil has little to no self awareness. that's what makes evil what it is 😞

[@melancholygirl840]

They sound like Chad and Tammy Daybell! Probably would have done the unthinkable like them also!

[@domsmom725]

YES!!! calling the kids evil, satanic, dillusional, demonic.. all the things her and Jodi were/are!

[@katrina3560]

All these incriminating details make her sentencing statement entirely moot. She is a horrid human.

[@hollystiener16]

yeah doesn't make sense, f the judge had seen this and the injuries?

[@Justme_1221]

Right…She’s spent her life manipulating people. That’s all she was attempting to do with that statement. Shes so much like Lori Vallow. Those kids are lucky to be alive.

[@jac5348]

​@@Justme_1221 yes just like that lori Vollow heartless women bringing innocent children to suffer. The lifestyle she lived with a nice house n seemingly had no reason to provide food for the kids. What religion.or cult was she following?

[@TexasbyStorm]

​@hollystiener16 the judge has zero to do with her sentencing. The parole board will in 4 years, and I'm sure they will see everything, even the redacted.

[@lizadivine3785]

Actually she is satans daughter.

[@Descan26]

Anyone who still feels sorry for ruby should get their head checked. This woman is pure evil.

[@ConGamePro]

Only religious lunatics feel sorry for that lady.

[@DocBree13]

Agreed!

[@oORiseAboveOo]

Someone felt sorry for her?

[@OmEvul1415]

​@@oORiseAboveOo Yes. A lot.

[@loveky1855]

@@OmEvul1415just tell who ever feel sorry to her ,, gave their kids to jodie and rubby… see if they still feel sorry to her?

[@andyslater2320]

Locking the kids in a closet without water and then punishment for screaming and messing their pants? This was perverted torture.

[@mackenziedavis444]

she called her son “abusive” are you serious…

[@ayamystic2]

Many people were abused by other minors. Not saying her son was an abuser but it’s pretty common.

[@mackenziedavis444]

@@ayamystic2im just saying pretty ironic because she’s the abusive one here

[@sodapop83]

@@ayamystic2 russell is a very sensitive and perceptive boy from older videos. even eve beat him up and chad used to bully him. and the 3 other sisters just didn't care much about him bc of their age. i always felt sorry for him. you could see how happy he got when he finally got some attention from the others. sad

[@er-ha]

@@sodapop83 I don’t think it’s fair to say he was bullied by his brother; there was teasing, sure, but there is teasing in most sibling relationships. That being said, anything that these children did “wrong” is almost certainly because of how they were raised rather than anything malicious in their nature.

[@sodapop83]

@@er-ha there was bullying from chad. period.

[@MarleeWild]

I hope All 6 of those Kids NEVER speak to Kevin and Ruby again!!!!!

[@sherylbarry9143]

Yes, did you see his police interview. What a worm.more concerned about Ruby than the kids.

[@Fat12219]

😢 😢 😮

[@marlenebulger6822]

Does Kevin have the kids?

[@nessmarroquin5717]

They already are 💀💔

[@Pianda]

min 25:00 clearly show his pretending! He KNEW! @@sherylbarry9143

[@bertaberta923]

I despise those who use religion as a weapon to inflict pain on others specially those who can’t defend themselves.

[@tobyrose6906]

Religion Root of All Evil

[@kosmickrysti]

My children were taken by their father for 18 months. He starved them. They suffered horrendous abuse. Only reason he returned them was because child safety were investigating him due to my 8 yr old son reporting his father to his teacher. I’m so proud of my boy. He’s 24 today. Both my kids are awesome in spite of what they went though.

[@LiveFreeOrDie2A]

Why did you allow him to take them in the first place?

[@kosmickrysti]

@@LiveFreeOrDie2A I think ‘taken’ means I wasn’t happy about it. And unless there are custody orders in place, is a parent a kidnapper? Not in the eyes of the law here, I know that much. No matter how many times I reported them missing. Or a judge. Until there is evidence, unfortunately.

[@amarillo856]

​@@kosmickrystiu could've filed motions though. 18 months is crazy. Unless you were also unfit the court would give parenting time to both parents.

[@kosmickrysti]

@@amarillo856 motions for what? and they may give time.. don't enforce it. but.. yeah. in a perfect world where the legal system works perfectly. with the one we have? 18 months is nothing.

[@donnaeilerman7458]

If they are "having accidents," it's because they were bound and then locked in closets. How are they supposed to use the bathroom? If they are locked outside, how are they supposed to use the bathroom?

[@HandbagDiva]

I think it was caused more from the abuse. It’s very common for children facing severe abuse to regress back to having accidents.

[@stormthrush37]

Even when kids have accidents when not locked in closets, etc., it's not because the kids are being bad (usually). It's usually because they're stressed or scared from what I understand.

[@carolynnilsen9270]

Or from emotional trauma

[@metaphoricheart]

They found adult diapers in the house so it seems like they weren't allowed to use the bathroom and then punished. Twisted logic

[@gatdemun]

Harmony all over again.

[@LilyRoberts561]

They wouldn’t have made it to any ranch, I saw the uncensored photos, the boy was weeks if not days from death…. He knew it, he saved his own life, and his sisters.

[@Elle-elle-elle]

Yikes, where did you accidentally see those?

[@bmac375]

@@Elle-elle-elle They were released with all this other information. They’re posted on the 8 passenger reddit page. It’s heartbreaking. So much worse than I ever imagined.

[@darlenemateri6521]

​@@Elle-elle-elle, Look at the video here. He looks gray. Days if a matter of hours from death.

[@leandrabramham9467]

He’s such a hero. Saved not only himself and his siblings. But potentially hundreds of other children at the hands of these monsters.

[@slyphwing]

Omg must saw the photos, looks like a Holocaust victim 😢

[@Laz3rCat95]

Where was the children's father in all of this? He should be held accountable too for allowing this to happen.

[@PricelessJesus]

We don't know he might not have known

[@Drop-Dead-Fred-Did-It]

Watch his police interviews very telling he never once shows concern for the children only asks about his wife. He left after a month of isolation from the family because he couldn’t take the abuse. Never thought in a year to check or speak on his children.

[@kaystar3434]

He was isolated by Ruby after actually being brainwashed by her. He became grateful for any kind word she gave him. He signed over both cars to her, and said he would do anything for her. She would not allow him to see the kids, and he was so messed up by this time, that he agreed.

[@nukeputin420]

​@@kaystar3434 not an excuse

[@hopelessromantic3786]

​@@kaystar3434He was abusive before she ever kicked him out. They used to post videos on youtube talking about starving their kids and hoping they nearly died in the wilderness because it'd make them grateful. That man is no victim.

[@allisonjames2923]

30 years is NOT enough. Change the laws & penalties. 15 years should be the absolute minimum for abuse of a child & life without parole mandatory for abuse at this level, in EVERY State, Territory & every country. Child abuse & neglect has to stop! It is NEVER acceptable.

[@HandbagDiva]

The fact that both children had regressed to going to the bathroom in their pants is clear sign of severe abuse. How Jodi a supposed psychologist didn’t know this is mind blowing.

[@BlueBearMeg]

That’s because Jodi is a monster too. She did EVERYTHING that Ruby did to clients and her own niece for years. There is a common trend going on between people in their community. Not that everyone in their community are monsters but there seems to be a trend. She is a sadist under the disguise of a psychologist.

[@mollycurran1978]

Well I believe she got her degree from BYU so that kinda tells you everything you need to know. IMO religious college’s shouldn’t offer psychological degrees.

[@HelloNewMoon]

It makes sense tho. She’s so evil and her degree told her exactly how to do this to them in the worst way. Knowing the way the mind works could help a therapist heal someone but knowing the same information could be diabolical in the hands of someone evil. Its like a medical doctor knowing exactly how to harm someone’s body systematically.

[@samanthas8340]

I believe she only has a masters in educational psychology which is very different but yes she she absolutely no better.

[@kanaka-]

She was NOT a psychologist.

[@HollyFurgason]

This is why Kevin was so worried when his daughter took his journals. They really thought the abuse was not only right but noble and had no problem writing their abuse down.

[@Hydroxoid]

Needs to be a petition to keep her in prison for the full 30 years

[@LovelyRhodes]

This almost turned into Tylee and JJ. These kids are going to need so much help to get past this.

[@aliciakillen1940]

Oh yeah!! You’re right!

[@camillaSweden]

That was the first think I was thinking when I hear this

[@Large_Marge_Sent_Me_]

Holy cow! Very true. Both Mom's were from fringe beliefs of Mormon or LDS.

[@HomeGypsy]

@@camillaSwedenYep, me too. 🙁

[@KourtneeMonroe]

Wow that is so incredibly heartbreaking l

[@user-cp1of4su7x]

She is deluded and cruel! She should never be released!

[@rainbowmom7582]

💯💯

[@SoCalDreaming87]

Ever. 💯

[@dk237]

100 million % !!

[@emilypaige732]

Accidents are a well-known sign of serious abuse.

[@rebeccaswift7588]

I was a bed wetter as a older kid. Later in life I learned through therapy it was due to abuse by my father. He was extremely abusive, and a cop..😢

[@DianaTalkington]

I’m so sorry

[@elizabethbaird3604]

Same here and for the same reason. ❤️

[@fozzydare7987]

:,( x

[@pastorpammenanazonline4028]

These kids were peeing and pooping because they were emotionally abused. HORRIFIC!!!

[@jennaxoxox4821]

And possibly at the beginning stages of organ failure.

[@nellieshoals]

@@jennaxoxox4821 What is the medical reasoning for this? As a licensed mental health counselor, I totally see it as trauma-related but that is from the mental health perspective. If there is a physical health side, I would be curious to hear about it!

[@denise8791]

​@jennaxoxox4821 absolutely. When you're body is failing you can't control any functions😢💔 Gut wrenching. Poor babies.

[@SoCalDreaming87]

​@@jennaxoxox4821💯 That's what I thought. It is a physical, involuntary process.

[@jennaxoxox4821]

@@nellieshoals as your body shuts down, you lose control of voluntary functions. I’m sure you’ve heard that people’s bowels evacuate when they suddenly die, A slower death starts that process earlier. Also, starvation means you haven’t enough fibre to form anything remotely solid. We all know that diarrhoea is near impossible to hold.

[@arabashful650]

Ruby and Jodi are absolutely insane, she described her CHILDREN like they were monsters and she was righteous in her punishment of them. To only get 15 years ( with parole available after 4) after the horrific things she did to those kids is a miscarriage of justice. Her youngest should be an old woman before we're even considering her parole. Life for Ruby Franke, and justice for the Franke children!!

[@HandbagDiva]

It’s 15 years x 4, but the state maxes the sentence at 30 years instead of 120 years. So 4-30 is the sentence when all 4 sentences of 1-15 years are added together.

[@Llama_Whisperer]

4X15 is 60, not 120 ❤

[@stormthrush37]

Range of time to be served as reported from the previous sentencing video on this channel is 4-30 years, to be determined by the parole board.

[@jimangii8980]

I agree. But at least the kids didn't have to testify.

[@Camey71073]

They are not the only ones Hildebrand has done this too. Everyone that woman and Franke had anything to do with, will need help for years to come.

[@MarkDavid-gi9vw]

“When one person suffers from a delusion, it is called insanity. When many people suffer from a delusion it is called a Religion.” ― Robert M. Pirsig

[@alhsa]

That young boy who was suffering in incontinence was probably so severely abused his organs were shutting down. A child of that age doesn’t start randomly doing that out of the blue. That is the result of SEVERE physical abuse. Even adults who were abused long term, start suffering with incontinence usually a few months before they eventually succumb to their injuries. This was extensive. How absolutely terrifying. Sends a shiver down my spine.

[@snowwhite2524]

Child abuse causes children to be incontinent. Ruby is an absolute monster and I hope that she spends the full 30 years in prison. My heart breaks for R.F. and E.F. I hope that they are able to find peace, healing, and happiness.

[@rachelt4792]

That makes Jodi even worse since she used to be a psychologist. She should know better.

[@ownedpatrol]

⁠@@rachelt4792She was never a psychologist. Her church made up her credentials

[@nellieshoals]

It was so sad how she shamed them for this problem that SHE gave them!!!!

[@kateashby3066]

Thank you!! I said that too but I doubt anyone will see my comment at the bottom. This is why poor harmony Montgomery was beaten to death 😢😢😢

[@Fat12219]

30 years 😮

[@got2bteri]

Well of course they potty themselves, that's what abused kids do 😢

[@TheSamjane4]

Yes…one of the signs of abuse is a child that soils themselves …it’s trauma…not them doing it on purpose.

[@therealz360z7]

If your afraid to say I need to go potty after holding it your gonna get infections and then it makes it hard to hold it in and you smell , I just got off the phone calling in an antibiotics it is not as easy to hold it in and the odor and color and not normal .

[@jwhite5396]

Makes me think of Burke Ramsey. I read he was soiling himself and would sometimes bring it into JonBenet’s room.

[@nellieshoals]

@@TheSamjane4 Also the "zoning out" is them full-on dissociating which she thought needed beaten out of them. Make it make sense!!!

[@mjremy2605]

Not only severe abuse, but actual organ failure from starvation.

[@maesonc]

I’m so glad Dr. Bober pointed out that there was absolutely failure by law enforcement. The “8 Passengers” channel clearly showed that all those kids experienced a spectrum of abuse (these two youngest experienced the worst by far). The red flags were there and law enforcement and CPS failed those children.

[@natalierose1072]

The video of the son in the ambulance looking so starved and thin. It hurts to look at it. His thin emaciated legs. I just want to hold and sooth him. Its so upsetting.

[@Milaperadotti]

She deserves life in prison. She doesn’t act remorseful at all just annoyed.

[@elainetip6795]

These kids must be removed from their so-called dad, he should be in prison also

[@teenindustry]

I agree he will possibly meet their physical needs but they need so much love and consistency

[@lizadivine3785]

What dad doesn’t see their own kids for a whole year?

[@camcat26]

@@lizadivine3785a surprising percentage of men who Jodi “treated”

[@SoCalDreaming87]

💯 He was either involved directly or complicit. So, evil or a spineless loser.

[@SoCalDreaming87]

​@@camcat26💯 Hildebrand was a cult leader.

[@natalierose1072]

I'm sick to my stomach. They Utah court failed these children by giving Jodi and Ruby such light sentences and the LDS "Church" bears responsibility too. And Ruby's husband should absolutely NOT get custody

[@DecimatedPlague666]

While I understand your view, try not to hold the LDS to blame here. I did hear Ruby mention Joseph Smith in a phone call so it lead me to believe she was Mormon. Now I actually was part of the LDS church but left at a young age. While I left for reasons of not believing, the LDS church isn’t apart of this type of Mormon religion that I believe Ruby and Jodi were in . Fundamentalist Mormons that live deep in the mountains of Utah are extreme and very cultish. LDS Mormons actually look down upon the fundamental polygamy Mormons and don’t agree with it. I believe Ruby and Jodi should both rot in prison in general population for what they did to those two poor children.

[@lyndsie92]

Gave me chills when you guys spoke about them wanting to move the kids out to a ranch where they would have been isolated even more. So glad that boy escaped when he did. There is no doubt they would have ended up dead if those women went ahead with their plans to move them out to a ranch.

[@owenlyons76]

He probably knew he had to try now bc if they ever got to the ranch, they'd end up dead.

[@MilesMilesCrocodiles]

As someone with a child who experiences enuresis, this horrifies me to no end. This isn’t a chosen “behavior “ nor is it a symptom of “evil” or “ possession”. Enuresis is literally a trauma response. Her kid was wetting himself BECAUSE of traumatic abuse. This, to me, makes it even worse than punishing a kid for another random behavior. Creating trauma in a child and then punishing that child for experiencing a natural response to the induced trauma is just another level of sadistic.

[@nellieshoals]

Agree. Coldly horrifying.

[@Fat12219]

😢

[@prettypinklady69]

You are correct. I wet the bed until I was 5 ish & had the occasional accident after. *I have also had a handful of incidents as an adult as well. But I agree with trauma response. I was beaten with a belt.... Usually waking up to being beaten with a belt while laying in my own urine. I never thought what my parents did to me was right. I tried to tell people but I was labelled a liar and no one ever believed me. Not until I was in my 40s and wrote my entire family and parents' friends a letter. It blew up their world. But, it also convinced my mother to leave my dad, thank goodness. I'd begged her to leave since I was a small child. Things are better with my mom but I'm not contact with my dad & have been for decades.

[@Jettypilelegs]

@@prettypinklady69much love 💕

[@sokatcanwatch]

Agreed. I had emotional issues from being abused, which beget more abuse, and now I have BPD and horrrrrible apropophobia. Thanks ma

[@Wrenn180]

It shouldn’t be allowed to use children for a social media channel. It never seems to end well and is bloody unfair on children- even without abuse.

[@feanorian21maglor38]

Absolutely. I've commented the same on several family vlog shorts that came into my feed. Narcissistic parents pranking their kids with rather nasty pranks that made the kids cry. I also reported them, referencing "Franke". It's horrific how entitled people are getting away with ill-treating their children for clicks.

[@Skitdora2010]

Narcissists use children for attention for themselves. Was that case even before social media. You never judge what you see put on display as what is truly going on inside the home. People most concerned about portraying an imagine is typically covering up something else they don't want people to see.

[@CF-mi7xd]

I agree, and these parents are keeping all the money on these channels. There are no laws protecting these children.

[@denise8791]

I honestly cant believe it took so long to bring down her channel. People reported her constantly for abuse. However so many people that followed her praised her. And took on her "methods". Just unbelievable.

[@a.s.3676]

Maybe because sadism is not seen as a "mental illness"?

[@budzilla89]

If only Ruby knew she was the real devil in that house.. these kids deserved so much better. I think most people thought she was an awful parent, but to see the extent of the abuse her and Jody put these kids through? I'm literally baffled. Complete and utter monsters!

[@williezar2231]

Children are often afraid of things that go bump in the night. Imagine being told you have the devil in you and demons around you and then being put in a dark closet to think about it.

[@user-fg5jf4mi6h]

It's so horrific!

[@SR-ih7dt]

The son also had to sleep outside

[@snowwhite2524]

Ruby and Jodi should never, ever get out of prison.

[@SoCalDreaming87]

💯 Never. Never ever. Ever ever.

[@snsn7251]

The judge dropped the ball and was too lenient

[@snowwhite2524]

@@SoCalDreaming87 Agreed.

[@SoCalDreaming87]

@@snowwhite2524 ❤️

[@gamtngirl3655]

When you say police dropped the ball, I wonder if it could possibly be Mormans protecting Mormans.

[@aristired6252]

It’s the fact that even before these details, her abuse was publicly documented in videos and posted. People were trying to get cps called for years, but it wasn’t taken seriously. YEARS of abuse could’ve been stopped if people listened and watched the videos like they were told. There were clear signs of abuse for so long. I’m so sorry for these kids and for how long they were failed by everyone around them.

[@margaretcurren7577]

Not only should Ruby and Jodi never see the light of day, but neither should Kevin Franke. He is just as much to blame as the other two.

[@kyletpreston4421]

Delusional freaks ! No excuse for what they did and never should be let out .

[@cleri08]

This is what surprised me the most. How is he free of responsibility??? He was more in love with the mom, than in love with their own kids. Outrageous.

[@cuestarey5565]

Children should never be returned to Kevin, he knew that his wife withheld food & water from the kids at her whim. He knew what Ruby was capable of & still abandoned his children to her evil.

[@lea24457]

Kevin ain’t wired up right he’s not in the real world , I agree with you he should be locked up also

[@CJCox-qf6yo]

I’m not kidding when I say Ruby Franke should get the Jeffrey Dahmer treatment in prison.

[@hollystiener16]

unfortunately she is not in a male prison. women don't tend to attack like that

[@chiefstonio3183]

@@hollystiener16i would argue it the other way around the other mothers in prison that love and can’t see there kid’s wont take to kindly to her abusing her kids

[@hollystiener16]

@@chiefstonio3183 they won't like her and maybe will ostercize her, but an attack is highly unlikely.

[@michelleapril3098]

@@chiefstonio3183 yes agreed. I mean look at Gabriel Fernandez’s mom. She gets attacked in prison often. It’s no different just because it’s an all women prison.

[@doracotterell2863]

What is the Jeffrey Dahmer treatment?

[@956judith]

Her daughter screaming for food, water, another family, and love. My heart breaks for these children 😭 💔

[@gagagoose2878]

I actually believed that Ruby was remorseful when she went before the judge, I hope her diaries are read every time she comes up for parole

[@daisiesorchidsholly]

It would be interesting to hear her try to explain those away.

[@BollywoodBonanzaB]

She has felt that her abusive behaviour is okay for so long, that I doubt she is suddenly remorseful... perhaps she is looking at it the way a KZbinr does when making an apology.

[@los8084]

She is an actress, she is just remorseful because she got caught.

[@AmirahJoy]

I believe she was remorseful…that she got caught. She is indeed very sorry that she is going to prison. Her remorse isn’t for her horrific behavior or her childrens’ suffering. It’s for her.

[@notnormansmother3617]

I didn’t believe she was remorseful AT ALL because she blamed it on Jodi and completely disregarded the documented arrogant obsessive over disciplined behaviors she showed with her kids on her KZbin channel before she ever met Jodi. Her phone calls show that she « became remorseful » only to benefit herself and get out earlier.

[@Lisa_5591]

Wow, she documented it all???? She's pure evil!

[@birdsinparadise3113]

My guess is jodi ordered her to do that as part of therapy. Its extreme, similar idea to scientology control methods i think

[@SoCalDreaming87]

She was proud of it.

[@daisiesorchidsholly]

Why was she given a plea deal after all this? The state would probably win without the kids giving evidence.

[@kristajones7202]

I grew up LDS, and journaling is heavily expected. We were supposed to write our words down for our offspring, theirs, and theirs forever. Fasting is another aspect of Mormonism. There's so many indications she incorporated core aspects of Mormonism.

[@koriwaldrip7426]

@@daisiesorchidshollySo that they could avoid having the kids testify against her

[@Nana_2464]

Frankie is the one with a pact with the devil.

[@hollystiener16]

or she is the devil

[@monicascott2354]

The devil isn't real either. The sad truth is that WE are the monsters. Humans.

[@Nana_2464]

@@monicascott2354 You’re so right. Which means she can’t blame anyone but herself. It’s time for people to take responsibility and stop blaming things on nonexistent entities.

[@hiddenhand6973]

Satan is real and we choose to serve him or turn from him.@@monicascott2354

[@evarm7546]

Exactly

[@reneeterry1509]

She not only documented it, but seemed to be bragging about it! Pure evil!

[@ShopStylebyme]

The scary part is she exposed herself on KZbin as being an Abuser and it still took awhile to arrest her.

[@Nebraskatrapper-wg5ci]

15 years is an embarrassment.. should have been life without parole.

[@elisamartinez3881]

This proves the abuse started before jodi

[@ettajfan5882]

It's well documented via their videos on KZbin.

[@lowlightevangelist9431]

How did she abuse them?

[@michelleg4069]

@@lowlightevangelist9431 - did you listen to this video?

[@debmadden4157]

​@@lowlightevangelist9431 WTH? Please don't tell us you have children

[@lowlightevangelist9431]

@@michelleg4069 no, didn't listen to video. I see other videos on Law & Crime where kids are tortured to death and have life changing wounds. Lots of those women get around 5 years. So I'm wondering, because all I've heard is some tape on ankles and that's it. School principals hurt kids worse than that with paddles and they get paid 200k

[@greathoonta3461]

Don’t forget her husband was in on this too! Do not let him escape this without punishment.

[@kristenshafer2262]

I dont even know these kids, but I hope the people in his life tell him daily that hes a hero. It sounds like even through everything, he continued to fight to the best of his ability. What a Brave brave boy.

[@slconley]

This abuse was fueled by religious extremism. This is a Mormon problem, we need to talk about it.

[@msbondutoyou520]

Yes-After this and the Lori Vallow Daybell murders/abuse. Common theme? Mormon religious extremism.

[@dirtdarte]

As a former Mormon..(I escaped/resigned) I believe your comment hits the mark exactly in the center. Mormonism is the author of all these abusive and destructive cult offshoots springing up and murdering children and innocent people. People need to take the time to investigate and understand the foundational principals, standards and requirements of the Mormon cult. It will be a simple matter to grasp the overarching mindset that creates these monstrous people, Mormonism is all about the self....the purest form of narcissism... and the achievement of total control over all things in your own created universe.

[@LasPhoenix777]

Way to hijack the conversation. This is horrific abuse and you want to make it about one specific religion instead about mental health and sadism that crops up within all faiths.

[@clairegrim1112]

It’s called religious psychosis, and it’s deadly. Mormonism and Christianity are DANGEROUS

[@clairegrim1112]

@@LasPhoenix777speaking as someone who also survived abuse from Christian’s that they justified with the Bible- YES. It is a religion problem! And your denial enables it to continue.

[@grapevinez6026]

My heart, these children will need lots of love and therapy. Please keep their cruel father away from them.

[@aliciakillen1940]

That father is useless and I’m not buying his act. He’s sooooo lucky he got away and was shunned or else he’d have been arrested too! Bet!

[@daisiesorchidsholly]

At best Kevin seems like a weak and selfish men very willing to through his kids under the bus when it's suits him.

[@valeriewilliams9388]

It bothers me that using food as punishment or reward isn't being addressed - this is not a NEW thing. She did it on her channel. Yes, the younger children were abused far more severely, however the is is the Rubi Franke playbook. She will hopefully serve her entire sentence.

[@allisonday893]

Those kids would have died if left undiscovered for much longer

[@julsjewels3185]

These children would eventually succumb to the abuse. The son is a hero. I and many others are proud of him he saved himself and his sister.

[@chrissyellem7397]

In the 80's I was a teenager hiking up a mountain in sandals (I know) and accidentally walked into a cactus plant. One of the most painful things I've done. Trying to get them all out took forever. It was so awful. This woman is sick.

[@Grayson2099]

*I cant imagine myself shaving my daughter’s head as a punishment, that’s insane and so demeaning.* It really is heartbreaking as parent, to see kids, so similar to yours, go through this horrible nightmare. Their own mother treated like POWs.

[@stormthrush37]

"Selfish children" immediately says to me that she likely comes from the broken school of parenting that says children should be treated like broken versions of adults rather than recognizing the developmental stages children go through as healthy and necessary, that children don't have to be broken like animals but will mature on their own when given healthy parental support.

[@donnierussellii4659]

This stuff seriously sounds like something that a villain from Dickens' Oliver Twist would say, a going-on 200 year old novel.

[@grapefruit1992]

If you listen to their father's second police interview, there was a broken cycle of "You're being manipulative, you're being selfish, you're lying, you're hiding something" coming from Jodi and no matter what he did it was never enough. The same tactic was used towards the youngest two kids

[@leedavis3704]

My mother was of that thought that you should already know things you were never told or taught, it was very damaging as a child to even be treated like that, I can’t imagine what these children went thru !

[@darlenemateri6521]

I'm also wondering if Ruby and her siblings were abused by their parents as children. They all five have some issues.

[@ginagina9592]

Send this comment to Rudy and Jody.

[@crysn315]

Wow. I had no idea how severe this was. Honestly, after seeing the pictures released, she needs to serve the entire 30 years. Sick.

[@spamgarbage6999]

They robbed these kids of a healthy life and future. These kids will never be the same.

[@SoCalDreaming87]

😢 I wish the wasn't true.

[@annanaly8739]

I don’t think that’s entirely true. They may have robbed them of their childhood, but with the right love, help and people, they will have a great future. I do agree with you that they’ll never be the same, nobody would after experiencing that kind of trauma and abuse. They seem like really bright kids so I think they’ll do great. I wish their dad would get arrested too.

[@SoCalDreaming87]

@@annanaly8739 ❤️ I really hope so.

[@rachaeljane987]

Little Russel is the mighty hero in this he saved his baby sister and himself because even though the “relevant agencies” had been made aware they did nothing, Russell is a demon slayer and who knows how many more children he’s inadvertently saved from this kind of parenting.

[@owenlyons76]

He def saved a lot of future families from Jodis cult!

[@etherealoasissanctuary8752]

These poor children. Please someone adopt them who loves them. I don't even want to know what makes people this evil.

[@ircjesselee]

The first phone call with her husband she told him, 'When you're fighting evil (abusing the kids) you aren't fighting the person and no adult is going to understand'. The husband's response: 😐

[@jennydiver100]

Exactly. He completely abandoned them, but there was abuse long before he left the family.

[@susanmcconnell6041]

She hated herself and her husband, and took it out on kids. She would do ANYthing for 'clicks' online. She was addicted to noteriety.

[@zoorenard1101]

He let his son sleep on a beanbag for 9 months. He wasnt shocked, he was being obedient. He knew exacly what was going on

[@estherdmartinez1346]

Am glad the husband was Firm talking about the children, their horrible injuries, their staying at the hospital, the foster care, "am not abandoning the children," "am going to family court" The tone of his voice he was being "defiant" she showed zero concerned for their well being. She doesn't hate herself she hates her family. How many moms kill their children with excuses like this one THIS IS ONE OF THOSE MOMS. Kids better hide and run away from her when she gets out.

[@DerpDevilDD]

@@estherdmartinez1346 He's garbage, too. He didn't even _ask_ her how his kids were doing in all the time they were separated.

[@ValkyrieSkyz]

This young boy is an absolute hero to escape, and save his and his sister’s lives. So brave 🩷

[@kylie9026]

PEOPLE HAVE BEEN POINTING OUT RED FLAGS FOR YEARSSS!!!!! Some viewers on their channel even called CPS !!! Law enforcement takes action right when it gets worse.

[@gnarlymarley7348]

Will any of the kids be of age by then to sue her for something? To keep her in there?!! That’s crazy all she’s facing is a bare minimum time. That is not justice for those poor babies.

[@vivvacca10]

Jodi might have fed Ruby lies and convinced her the kids were possessed by demons but it’s plainly obvious Ruby had no hesitation inflicting the most amount of pain and humiliation on her own two children. In fact, she seems to enjoy coming up with creative ways to torture them and dehumanize them. I truly hope that, unlike the prosecutor, the parole board members are not deceived by her “remorse.” Calling this woman a sociopath is a compliment.

[@BrunetteVignette]

Interviews with Jodi's prior patients reveal that she abused them too. These two women already came to the relationship with abusive personas.

[@blacksesamecandies]

She definitely is a narcassist, possibly a sociopath. I assume probably in thanks to her hyper-religious upbringing which she took to zealot levels plus the KZbin-fame she felt she'd get validation by being the most "put together" """"""""""""mother"""""""""""""" out there. If I recall, even the hyper-religious groups she was in wasn't enough. So she conspired with a fellow zealot to make a business proving they were the most "holy" of all. Her children were simply to prove if they could break them down enough, get some enigmatic truth from the torture that they really were so godly they could drive out devils from her own children. I'm sure she'd love to write a book and get even more money from that. But that is just my guesstimations. How absolutely vile for a woman to be so blessed in life with money, a large family and pretty much anything she wanted to do such unspeakable things to her very own children. She shouldn't never had children to begin with and I do hope those kids get the help they desperately need. She only accomplished showing how depraved and unhinged she was, now all the world will see her as a monster forever more. She was projecting evil onto her kids but she was the only evil in that house of horrors.

[@kat0726]

That’s exactly what happened, but let’s not forget that Ruby was already evil & abusing her kids, then Jodi brought out the evil Ruby already had inside her, in my opinion. If you watch her Family Channel, there was already abuse going on in the home and Kevin was involved in it as well, so why he’s not locked up right along with them just blows my mind 🙄

[@debbiemckeown7626]

Ruby was already telling her kids in videos you will lose the privilege of dinner, that isn’t a privilege it is a basic need. Ruby had to make it known to them anything she let them have was privilege one of the kids even refers to her bedroom as the room my mum lets me have and the fact Chad was denied one and made to sleep on a beanbag for months shows they mean that. Ruby and Jodi together just brought the worst out in each other and escalated the abuse and if Russell hadn’t escaped I suspect one or both of them would have ended up dead.

[@wayasaunooke3424]

Please do not give guesses that may lean towards understanding or excuses. Facts- BOTH women are servants of evil.

[@ValeskaTruax]

She needs to be locked up forever.

[@SoCalDreaming87]

💯

[@louwinters508]

Probably for the best.

[@basil33]

These are like the journal pages you find and have to collect in a horror video game

[@LoveBaseballLove]

"Being in affluential homes" 🤢🤮

[@Lando_P1]

What teachers, doctors, school nurses, police officers, and other mandated reporters looked the other way? This doesn’t happen overnight. She’s been abusive for years and years.

[@user-nt4oy8cu1n]

"Homeschooling" and "church schools" hide a lot from outside authorities.

[@Schiffon]

$ and privilege let her escape for some of those years Tsk-tsk Other children are still being overlooked by authorities by privilege and or some other power. Lack of social workers, head’s underground and no moral compass allows children today to be overlooked. SEE SOMETHING-SAY SOMETHING‼️👍❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️👍

[@TheSamjane4]

They did call CPS…but there was never enough evidence to charge her

[@julie8936]

She kept them out of school and away from mainstream doctors once Jodi entered the picture.

[@pennyc11]

Several called CPS. They look at the home and decide not too bad. Their hearts were hurting too.😢

[@KarlaAlejandraCordova-vr1sl]

4:02 As an Arizonan I can’t emphasize enough how cruel this is. The summer heat is brutal - I melt just walking from my house to my car. So relieved to know those kids are in safer hands now.

[@nathanjohnson2767]

I don’t know why the most religious always seem to be the most cruel

[@leahyamazaki5241]

They were trying to rebel against the horrific abuse …unbelievably sad… I did the same, I tried to rebel against the child abuse…but it just makes it even worse. Now as an adult, I have brain damage from” repeated childhood head trauma “

[@Bella-zh1me]

I'm so sorry for you. 😢

[@runninggirl2765]

To be denied water in those conditions?....oh my. Kidney problems for the future? Bone problems due to infection. Growth issues? I am praying for their mental and physical health.

[@katreenaliz]

the sad thing is, i used to watch them when i was a kid, before this level of abuse, the youngest daughter ( ten year old ) already had growth issues.

[@jennahowell2127]

Im sick of people like this and Lori Vallow using Christianity to justify being monsters.

[@lowlightevangelist9431]

What did she do?

[@user-nt4oy8cu1n]

Mormons are not truly "Christians". Get real.

[@keithtan6210]

You know that neither of them are Christians right????? Both are cults not Christianity! Mormon is a cult not Christianity. Totally different faiths!

[@keithtan6210]

I am genuinely concerned, I hope you know the difference between Christianity VS mormons and whatever cult that Lori Vallow created.

[@crissytracy8517]

They are Mormon a whole different cult.

[@user-nk9xb1kx1w]

This is even more disturbing than I imagined

[@tammykelsey7877]

It absolutely breaks my heart and soul what these children were forced to endure! 😢

[@hollystiener16]

I am 28 seconds on from what I have read, it is much much worse. How did she get a only minimum of 4 yrs??

[@ettajfan5882]

Minimum is four years for each charge with a maximum of 15 years if I understood that correctly. Pardon and Parole Board in Utah will ultimately decide the length time they will serve.

[@michelleg4069]

@@ettajfan5882 - thank you!

[@EmperorOfMan]

@@ettajfan5882 No she is up for parole after 1 year on each charge so if she gets parole every time she will only serve 4. Judge helped her out.

[@aliensuperstar634]

@@ettajfan5882do you know when ?

[@Large_Marge_Sent_Me_]

​@@ettajfan5882ty for explaining!❤❤

[@fabigrossi2976]

These are the exact same phrases Jodi used to torture her niece years ago. Ruby absorbed Jodi's cruel ideas.

[@BrunetteVignette]

It seems they both came to the relationship with abusive personas.

[@cheryshstrong]

I think ruby was a perfect candidate for jodis teachings because shes simply narcissistic and void of empathy and love.

[@marlenebulger6822]

Ruby was already cruel, Jodi just helped to amplify it all.

[@BrunetteVignette]

Someone needs to finally admit that religion was the impetuous and a hugely important factor in every abusive act these women committed. Religion itself has deep components of abuse and opens the door wide for children to suffer at the hands of religious parenting.

[@DocBree13]

Yes!

[@Tawadeb]

If she wasn't a Mormon people would call her evil. She cloaked herself in religion She didn't follow it

[@hsk2909]

Thank you so very much for the excellent reporting on this case.

[@jomc6734]

I truly hope that the Parole Board is given copies of this journal and photos of R and E's emaciated bodies and theie injuries so that they don’t fall from Ruby's manipulative 'oh I'm so sorry' crap and let this monster out of prison. She is a freaking monster.

[@nellieshoals]

Right, these are CHILDREN. In no way was this a fair or equal exchange....

[@daisiesorchidsholly]

Yes that needs to happen. I hope they don't have to, but it's possible that the kids may have the strength to fight their parole as well. Recovering abuse victims are not all the same, but some are real forces to be reckoned with. I wonder if parole boards tend to fall for "remorse" acts or if they just do what's easier for themselves due to overwhelmed systems, not wanting to put in the work, or something.

[@Scspencer25]

They were losing control of their bodily functions because they were quite literally dying. I can't imagine what was redacted.

[@r0ckymarie]

They were having continence issues because they were terrified, and their bodies were likely close to completely shutting down, therefore not functioning properly.

[@stefanspeno]

Can’t believe the boy said he’d rather have a glass of water than her as a mother. No child should ever be made to feel like that. What evil ladies

[@truthfullyme7416]

Their pleas should never have been allowed! They should rot in jail forever.

[@gemelindacjp7976]

The authorities probably wanted to avoid having the children testify in a trial, hence the plea deals.

[@TheSamjane4]

The things she takes as signs her kids are demons…like not reacting to her punishments …are typical signs of a child shutting down after extensive abuse. These kids were never going to win. E screaming and bashing her head on the floor was a sign she was in mental turmoil …and again Ruby says it the demon in her. 😢

[@nellieshoals]

RIGHT!!!! These "demons" are them DISSOCIATING from Ruby's horrific behavior!!!! Who is the demon here!!!!!! 😡😠😡

[@wingv313]

Religion and a weak mind are a bad combination. So sick of these monsters constantly using religion to be awful to their own & others. This is eerily similar to JJ & Tylee’s short lives. 💔Hoping E. & R. get all the help they need & grateful they’re still with us.💛

[@chrisrussell8245]

These poor kids, how will they ever be normal? How will they ever be sane? It's heartbreaking