Plea deal: Ruby Franke admits to torturing children, calling abuse 'acts of love'

ditor's note: The included plea agreement contains descriptions of child abuse. Discretion is strongly advised.
*****
Following Ruby Franke's guilty plea to four second-degree felony counts of child abuse, 2News obtained the plea deal she struck with state prosecutors that dropped two additional child abuse charges.
In exchange for her guilty plea on four of the six charges, Franke agreed "to testify truthfully against Jodi Hildebrandt," according to the agreement signed before Monday's waiver hearing.
FULL STORY: kutv.com/news/... #8passengers #rubyfranke #jodihildebrandt #utahyoutuber #youtubermom #mormonyoutuber #mormoninfluencer
_______________
Hit the subscribe button to stay up-to-date on the latest news, and turn on the notifications to get alerted when the big stories break as we bring them to you live!
For all the full stories seen here, go to kutv.com.
Follow KUTV 2News on our other social media pages for more photos, videos and reports:
Facebook: KUTV2News
TikTok: @kutv2news
Twitter: @kutv2news
Instagram: @kutv2news
If you see something newsworthy happen, or you just witness something incredible, hilarious or adorable, you can send your videos, photos and news tips to kutv.com/chimein. We love sharing our favorites on kutv.com, our social media and our broadcasts! You can also submit tips by email or phone.
Email: [e-mail]
Call the Newsroom: 801.839.1234
_______________
KUTV is a Utah-based station and a CBS Television affiliate owned and operated by Sinclair Broadcast Group. Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. is one of the largest and most diversified television broadcasting companies in the country today. Sinclair owns and operates, programs or provides sales services to nearly 200 television stations in 86 markets. Sinclair's television group reaches close to 40% of US television households and includes FOX, ABC, MyTV, CW, CBS, NBC, Univision and Azteca affiliates.
#kutv #saltlakecity #news #utah

[@cynthiah.3015]

Ruby F. Has been abusing her children way before Jody came along.

[@vertiian]

Jodi was "counselling" them since at least 2017. Anything that happened during their KZbin days or before was so borderline that it wasn't enough to arrest. The abuse seems to have taken a drastic turn for the worst in the past year or two.

[@khaIid624]

@@vertiian Yes thank you

[@SelfTaughtArtist1]

She just found someone to validate her behavior.

[@GwenPidgeon]

Ruby abused her children and she documented her actions for you tube.

[@bijanka]

@@vertiian No, I think it's just that there isn't enough evidence or need to pursue years' old abuse. Didn't the son break his leg as a toddler, allegedly falling off of the sofa?

[@redwood421]

Before it was shut down, her KZbin channel had 2 million followers. It is highly probable that more than 1 of those 2 million took her advice to heart and are currently abusing their own children. She planted the seeds of abuse.

[@e.8756]

Horrifying!

[@discopumps]

Made me cry hearing the what she plead guilty to. And how the daughter said she deserved it. Some people should not be allowed to have children.

[@shelliea4621]

The son who escaped also said he deserved it. It was during the original 911 call the day he escaped. Then a few days later, I found out that ruby said that she did this to him because he supposedly SA'd like 31 neighbor girls and family members. I believe Ruby and Jodi made him believe he did something wrong but I don't believe that he did it. Jodi's niece did an interview and said that Jodi would brain wash her into believing she did horrible things as a child that she never did. The amount of mental abuse these poor kids went through on top of the literal physical torture is horrifying. I pray those kids can somehow heal and move on from all of this someday and aren't screwed up for life.

[@jacqui9176]

She needs to serve a very long time in prison.

[@mitzicrowder2186]

They need to get the dad too.

[@kh5603]

None of these "adults" deserve kids or should be around them

[@donnalynn2]

Dad wasn't involved. Moved out quite awhile ago and I don't think he saw the kids very much, if ever. Her "business" partner was running the show from what I've seen.

[@LifesPeachy321]

@@donnalynn2 Your comment shows how ignorant you are to the case! If you don't know the WHOLE case, stop commenting!

[@LifesPeachy321]

Agree! When people were screaming "child abuse" early on with their YT channel...Kevin was right there along side her, which to me makes him culpable...he didn't do anything to correct the situation, and he certainly didn't stop her. It makes you wonder how the siblings are raising their children considering what Ruby said about her upbringing.

[@Hellofa6ird]

Thank goodness the kids survived 😢 The boy that escaped saved them both.

[@nadzach]

Absolutely. Any numbers of medical problems could have required emergency treatment for the kids. And she could not let a doctor see them like that. I fear this could have ended with disposing of their bodies. And I bet she had already thought about it. With every abuse she was getting closer.

[@marinda3262]

Wonder if she realizes she’s the one evil and posessed

[@queeniz59]

It is truly terrifying how close those children came to dying!

[@MarySmith-bc7mf]

She is a horrible pos and how dare this nasty woman put this on line. Shame on her and shame on everyone that followed her. How dare you follow such a crazy woman. She better go to prison.

[@LifesPeachy321]

Agree! Too close!

[@StarWarsAddict527]

Deal should include her willingly giving up parental rights

[@donnalynn2]

That is a seperate issue which has nothing to do with the criminal case. I will be shocked if it isn't in the works but you cannot combine all aspects of this together.

[@jgmgreen01]

is someone giving her the same treatment in jail? she needs to repent after all.

[@RestoreJustice675]

Sounds like Ruby is the one possessed.

[@sheilaghburchart3513]

She has damaged these children for life. They will never understand what true love is and isn’t. They will always believe that abuse is love and that they deserve to be abused. So sad.

[@Roxyvvro]

Based on the evidence she should be locked up for the max on each count. What parent manipulated or not does this to a child without understanding the moral conduct or consequences of their actions !!! Jodi should get life without parole as the mastermind but Ruby was already abusing her children way before Jodi came on the scene it got 10000% worse and she participated

[@snowwhite2524]

I sincerely hope that those children are surrounded by love and support right now. I also hope that they are able to find peace, healing, and happiness.

[@lisamounts6555]

Same here. Now for Jodi trail the main one grooming that mother to do horrible abuse. I will be praying for the both to find repentance and forgiveness while in a prison community that has a fellowship program to return to God and walk after his chosen anointed son Joshua of Nazareth our Lord and Savior, our only example of how to serve yahavah God our father the holy spirit and listen and read the many letters of instructions his appointed apostles wrote when problems arised up with the communities turning to God and believing in his son, trusting that God's holy spirit will lead them, comfort, teach them and us and given us the heart and mind of or Lord Joshua our Messiah. And prayers for their families to be strengthened during their long road to recovery and peace.

[@HomeTreeLove]

ONLY CHARGED WITH 4 COUNTS? AND WHY ISN'T THE FATHER IN JAIL?

[@familyoffour247]

Two of the six children are 18+, I assume being the reasoning behind only 4 counts. The husband wasn't living at the residence at the time of abuse occurring, allegedly. He should be charged too, IMO, but it comes down to evidence.

[@dianeratti5644]

I agree she should be charge 6 counts !!!!! She tortured 6 of her kids this is BS !!!!!!!!😡😡😡😡😡😠😠😠🤬🤬

[@melissawelch5770]

She is a horrible human. Now she's going to blame it all on the other lady? Obviously she's a weak person but to blame it all on someone else? I hope she rots in prison. Anything less than 20 years is an injustice.

[@tonyafromgeorgia3519]

It was the other Womens fault just as much as The mother! The other women had a history of horrific abuse, she is a counselor and should be held to the highest punishment available! The cycle with this crazy counselor stops here!

[@JanAgardy-ow2rh]

Ruby Franke profitted quite well financially from the terrible abuse that she subjected her children to. And to call the starvation & serve wounds to her 2 youngest children "acts of love" is obscene. Let's not forget that she told the judge in her first appearance that the children were involved in sexual abuse & watching porn at early ages. That's some kind of bizarre attempt to blame the victims. And I don't care who you are & if she claims that she was brainwashed by Jody, but you never, ever can condone & always have to know that starving a child is abuse & even torture. It doesn't wash Ruby & you deserve a long prison sentence. You made money off of torture & that is unforgivable.

[@abelis644]

Great comment, "obscene" describes her perfectly!

[@BabyYoda230]

She needs to be locked up for life. Have the nerve to be giving parental advice- knowing she was starving and abusing her own kids. This lady has no remorse. She knew exactly what she was doing. Only apologetic because she was caught. Trash.

[@elan007]

She is brain-washed to the point of being mentally ill, and her children are brain-washed to believe her sick evil projections.

[@iMatti00]

What a great religious conservative. And she hates those evil liberals.

[@eiforget]

As the facts of this case come to light it is apparent that the abuse these children suffered was far worse than previously imagined. This woman had a dark soul and an evil tendency well before she met Jodi. Unfortunately, the combination of she and Jodi together was a toxic mix of malignant depravity that made these poor kids’ lives even worse than it already was. These women deserve lengthy prison sentences and Ruby should never be able to have contact with any of her children again.

[@SusanMJB45]

All of Ruby's sisters need to be investigated. They are all KZbinrs and I am worried about what they have done to their own children. Ruby's parents history of "parenting techniques" also needs to be investigated. I think this is a generational problem that was exacerbated when Jodi entered the picture and ratcheted up the level of torture inflicted on these poor children.

[@HerMajesty1]

You can't just investigate people without just cause. That's very communistic slippery slope.

[@charlenemack7040]

She must get life in prison. These children will need therapy for decades.

[@annieb0507]

Where was Kevin Franke when this happened to his children?

[@snowwhite2524]

I think that he was living in a small apartment by himself or with his oldest son. Jodi told him that he had to stay away from his family because he looked at Ruby's butt once or something like that so he was a sex addict. Kevin believed Jodi that he was harming his family when he was around them, that's his excuse anyways. No one could convince my partner or I to abandon our son or each other. He abused his kids with Ruby for years before Jodi had entered their lives. I don't think that Kevin or Ruby should be allowed to ever have custody of their children.

[@dianeratti5644]

He was there most of there marriage!!!! He knew damn well what she did !!!!!

[@ImagesofJosephSmithJun.]

Wow. Good she admitted fault and avoided trial, now her kids can heal. People, this is some weird fringe ideology her sisters didn't subscribe to. I had a roommate who was into a group that did "castings", terrifying, they also taught, in their separate from "Church" online groups, facebook groups that those who are "possessed" needed "harsh consequences", I think she was into that. This explains so much! So sad, but shining a light on the fact too many are believing abusive ideologies that are Dark Ages.

[@freckles2773]

I love that the dad is just skating away free and clear. He will never be charged because of the Mormon culture they come from. So sad.

[@boomeradley8748]

i feel like the main reason her family was there is because they just can't pass up the opportunity to be on camera. then her sister coincidentally uploads a youtube video the same day knowing it will get a boost from the algorithm. the entire family makes me sick tbh.

[@RDASoccer]

What about Abby. Chad and Julie????

[@annebalderston2520]

She doesn’t feel guilty or take responsibility. She is acting.

[@juliefeatch4820]

I would die for my children if it was the only way they could live. I truly don't understand how you would not do anything you could to help your child. 😟😲

[@debbiepeirce7509]

What about the father where was he to save these children. He needs to be charged for at the least neglect.

[@2Ryled]

Bet she doesnt like the camera now. Before she wanted to live on camera..

[@DuvAngel1]

Yes, this evil and possession it did come from the parents and where did that come from? It came from the Mormon church, which is not Christian. They call themselves Christian it’s not it’s just not.

[@carmarasmussen8118]

There is nothing in the teachings of the Mormon Church that condones or promotes child abuse. Please do not comment about things you know nothing about.

[@elan007]

They believe scripture, and teach that parents are responsible to make their children obedient or the parents are punished in hell. Spare the rod, spoil the child.

[@CAC_1985]

Maybe Ruby should have the same treatments as part of her plea deal. Oh wait, they would be considered cruel and unusual punishment. What a mental woman. What child can be SO evil?

[@lildebboston455]

Keep her in Prison. The Ladies will show her what acts of Luv are.

[@koala2464]

How many children around the world are living with torture like this, all for religious belief.

[@ashleybrewer8286]

Why are they not looking at Rudy's mom this behavior must been learned

[@karCot]

Another Lori Vallow.. this isnt religiin this is just crazy stuff

[@JulieHerrick]

What about the other two charges? Weren't there a total of six charges? She plead to four of them.

[@suekeane]

kutv.com/resources/pdf/bee88232-4c1c-4597-ab58-84e0cb77ccbf-Frankeguiltypleaanotherattempt.pdf

[@GwenPidgeon]

Two charges were dismissed

[@brittneebarnett5943]

When you make a plea like she did, it's almost as if it didn't happen. each count is 15 years.

[@simonbutler7036]

ruby franke and that other one are both evil sociopaths to do what they did to her children lets hope those 2 get locked away so they can never ever hurt any other child ever again.

[@bartmanxoxo]

If she doesnt get a lenghty sentence...somethings wrong ! 😮

[@CeeJay2.O]

The whole situation of this lady is bizarre from start to finish, she is pure evil and what the children hae gone through is horrific 😢😮... This as a mother makes me angry and annoyed with the fact she wasn't held accountable fast enough!!!! Shame on you judicial system 😤😡she's a stain on society like many others than think it's ok to do this.... Ruby Franke is not a child of God and never will be! Throw away the key and hopefully the children will be able to grieve the loss of what was and find courage to move past this eventually 💯😔🙏that's what I pray as a decent parent should hope for

[@briannathomas5362]

But why is no one asking questions about how the middle two girls that still lived at home were treated…

[@dianeratti5644]

And her oldest son ???? She did this to 6 of her kids

[@cornellgreen7265]

Abuse of love will be waiting for him in prison!

[@rieleypaterson1743]

Also gross that her parents and siblings are there to support her

[@alicegauteng2358]

Is she nuts or evil? What kind of mother does these despicable things to her children.

[@leonhue722]

All the children's relatives failed the two abused children.

[@maryqc8418]

She needs to go to jail for life.. for life..

[@chrislim7615]

Maybe she should hav a career in prison,cos she's got it pat down abt punishments!Except for starving n evil methods etc.

[@tinajohnson1988]

What did these kids do to "deserve" this kind of treatment?? Repent for what??

[@Fat12219]

Problem , Problems , problems, problems 😮

[@karinwells8507]

What about Pam shes guilty

[@mitzicrowder2186]

Insane

[@LifesPeachy321]

Kevin is culpable and should never get custody of those children...he should actually serve time like his spouse. Jodi is by far worse...she destroyed so many lives...I'm wondering when the civil suits will start pouring in?

[@maryannsarkady7950]

Omg those poor children, I hope they get the help they need for as long as they need it !

[@JeremyScott459]

I still feel like they need to go get the dad too there’s no way he didn’t know what was going on at a minimum

[@Quietlylistening]

Why does Kevin walk How is he not responsible for his children.

[@judedimatteo8942]

I'm not worried about what happens to that witch I'm worried about the children

[@tashas5074]

It’s absolutely terrible to think about the fact that she had 2 million followers and that many of them probably took her advice and treats their kids like her.

[@benjiebenjamin7810]

No worse love than christian hate 💔. No worse hate than 'christian' love. Whichever 💔! (honest caring real Christians excluded)

[@discopumps]

I went to a church school and the faculty and parents were honestly some of the most closed minded, hypocritical, hateful people I ever met. Who kicks out their own kid at 15 because they’re gay?? Nevermind love thy neighbour, many can’t even accept their own blood!

[@benjiebenjamin7810]

@@discopumps I do get that 💔. I've a granddaughter who is gay & my racist religious fanatical relatives hate her.....& she's a beautiful loving person. So sad christians preach one thing & then spew out hate for anyone. I was seriously abused by my relatives, my grandmother used a whip, literally, to make her religious ranting points. HUGS2U 🤗😊

[@abelis644]

​​@@discopumps My parents were non-practicing Catholics, they never pushed religion on me and I'm an atheist. In high school, I was invited by new friends to attend a monthly Youth group at their church. They were Protestant, I don't know the denomination. I was curious so I accepted. Well!!! I never met more hypocrites in my life! Everyone, teens and adults alike, "secretly" smoked, drank, the teens had sex, some of the parents were adulterers. It was mind blowing!!! I hated it and hated the hypocrisy even at 14 years old and only went a few times. So much for god fearing people!!!...😅

[@abelis644]

​@@benjiebenjamin7810 Omg... a whip? I'm so sorry that you went through that! Your Granddaughter is lucky to have you. I'm Lesbian myself and am lucky to have had wonderful, non religious parents!!! I wish you and your Granddaughter all the best!!! Take care!!! 👋🇨🇦🌠

[@benjiebenjamin7810]

@@abelis644 "We cannot help the genes we are born with, we can only help how we use them." My heart aches for how people are treated that don't fit into the ole 'white boys' prejudice rules. I'm writing a book & have friends who are putting together a site (this ole lady can rebuild a carburetor, but I'm not pc savvy 🙃) for me to expose my true story online in how hateful too many people can be & how easy it is to love. My father was a pedophile womanizing killer who got away with his crimes which appalled me when he got a military funeral for WWII as he was truly a severe selfish narcissistic man .....he favored hitler's views 😵‍💫 like X#45. In my 77 yrs I've never found a legitimate excuse for hate! Hug lots, hugs often & may this holiday be the best of many more to come for you 🤗❤️😊

[@julielumsden5184]

Her children should be awarded any and all monies earned from her KZbin channel. Waiting for her husband to be charged Her siblings must have known what a group of liars

[@tinajohnson1988]

What is the reason she did this???

[@cactusflower4326]

Proverbs 1:31 In-Context 29 It is because you rejected knowledge and did not choose to respect the Lord. 30 You did not accept my advice, and you rejected my correction. 31 So you will get what you deserve; you will get what you planned for others.

[@aisle_of_view]

Ruby Frank's sounds like Applebees!

[@Purpletiedye]

Oh thes poor kids, they will have a verry screwed view of love now

[@denize1654]

Holy moly-another dooms day mom. Lucky for the kids they weren’t murdered.

[@gayemarianesfox2405]

What role does her husband play in all this?

[@sherryscarabino255]

This same news has been shown over and over ... we know this much .. what's the punishment

[@bellat63]

She best get at least 60 years she treated those beautiful children like rats in a lab 😢 those kids trusted her those kids needed her to love them, Ruby was supposed to be their protector and Rubys husband to was to be their protector I think he knew everything all 3 of them are sick and need to be in prison! She has videos out that I seen he was with them and she was treating kids like crap in her KZbin nice way on video he was laughing

[@dianacarman4241]

I think she was trying to kill them.

[@bolodogrc5256]

Dont ya think people are over reacting? Kids need work and alot of it. Loving them in easy its inate its obvious . Ya cant eat love , love does no good in the eyes of societies unrelenting feed frenzy on the slightest imperfection anyone might have. She has alotbof kids . Anyine who had kiss knows when you have alottta kids youve bitten offfff alllloooottttta work . Thankless work at that. Who hasnt had trouble with the way things turn out wirh people. Anyone anywhere. She needs some parenting classes along with conservatively 100 million other parents. She wasnt telling them to pick their own gender or to drink from human fountain. How many you know of that are. The entire public school system. Fullll of parents and TEACHERS... so wake save prisons for the evil people marketing alllll these drugs out there anf give her probation with parenting classes... people only have 1 kid maybe 2 if your very financial and emotionally secure . The amount of energy and money to raise one child correctly is staggering let 4 or 5 or 6.... any parent thats anything knows im right...

[@AlphaMom55]

🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬

[@lisagauthier-lx4th]

That sounds like lory vallow daybell and chad daybell

[@AvoidRaids]

#parents

[@esterrios3998]

Someone help your Amanda Gilbert, please!

[@maureenplayford3559]

1:31

[@karinwells8507]

What about Pam shes guilty