A family counselor named Jodie Hildebrandt, who had connections with popular vlogger Ruby Franke, was found to have been involved in the abuse of Franke’s children instead of offering them the support they needed. Franke and Hildebrandt met through their Mormon church community, with Hildebrandt being a respected figure in the church and Franke gaining fame for her family vlogs online. Their friendship deepened over time, leading to tragic levels of mistreatment of Franke’s two youngest children.
The disturbing truth of Hildebrandt’s role in the abuse came to light in the Netflix documentary “Evil Influencer: The Jodi Hildebrandt Story” after Franke’s children were rescued. The rescue was prompted by Franke’s 12-year-old son seeking help from a neighbor due to severe neglect and abuse. The boy’s emaciated condition, along with visible wounds, raised immediate concerns, leading to Franke and Hildebrandt’s arrest on August 30, 2023.
Investigations revealed that the children had endured horrifying treatment, including physical and emotional abuse. Franke, known for her online presence, faced criticism for her parenting methods, which included extreme punishments and public shaming of her children. The situation escalated when Franke moved in with Hildebrandt, where the abuse worsened, culminating in the harrowing conditions uncovered by authorities.
Franke’s arrest resulted in her four minor children being placed in the care of the Utah Division of Child and Family Services, while Kevin Franke, her estranged husband, was granted full custody. Both Franke and Hildebrandt were sentenced to prison terms for their crimes in 2024, marking the end of a tragic chapter in the lives of the Franke family.
In a court statement, Franke expressed remorse for her actions, acknowledging her distorted perception of reality and the harm inflicted on her children. Her eldest daughter, Shari, later penned a memoir detailing her experiences, while her son Chad moved on with his life, denouncing his mother’s actions and advocating for child welfare.
The identities of the Franke children have been kept private, shielding them from further public scrutiny as they strive to recover from the trauma inflicted upon them.
