Diary Entries, Video Footage Released From Ruby Franke Case

Sentencing of Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt for Child Abuse

In February, former YouTuber Ruby Franke and her business partner Jodi Hildebrandt were sentenced to up to 30 years in prison for four counts of aggravated child abuse. The Washington County Attorney’s Office recently released evidence from the case, including body cam footage of their arrests, Franke’s handwritten journal entries justifying the abuse, over 200 photos, and witness statements.

Motivation Behind the Abuse

Investigators stated that both Franke and Hildebrandt were driven by “religious extremism” to commit the abuse. They aimed to teach Franke’s children how to repent for imagined sins and rid their bodies of evil spirits.

Ruby Franke’s Disturbing Online Content

Prior to her arrest, Franke ran the “8 Passengers” vlog channel, where she shared snippets of her life raising eight children. However, her content became increasingly disturbing as she detailed the disciplinary methods used on her children. Hildebrandt, a Mormon life-coach, joined Franke in 2022, and together they managed a Mormon life-coaching service called “ConneXions.” Former patients of Hildebrandt’s reported that she often did more harm than good. The duo also shared parenting advice on their YouTube channel, which viewers criticized as being homophobic, transphobic, racist, and ableist.

Arrest and Charges

Franke and Hildebrandt were arrested in August after Franke’s son escaped Hildebrandt’s house and sought help from a neighbor. Both were charged with six counts of child abuse and pleaded guilty to four of the counts.

Ruby Franke’s Diary Entries

The evidence release included multiple pages of Franke’s diary, in which she wrote about her attempts to rid her children of “the devil.” The entries described various forms of abuse, such as making the kids sleep on the floor, shaving their heads, forcing her son’s head underwater, and starving them. Franke referred to her children as “weak-minded” and “manipulative,” justifying her actions.

Escape and Discovery

Footage from the home of the individuals who alerted the authorities showed Franke’s emaciated son walking on hot asphalt with socks and duct tape around his ankles. The boy explained that it was “personal business” and blamed himself. The witnesses called the police, who found Franke’s daughter locked in a closet.

Arrest Footage

The released footage of the arrests and interrogations revealed that Franke remained silent until she had an attorney present. Hildebrandt was already on the phone with an attorney when she was arrested. In a recorded call with her estranged husband, Franke referred to the situation as a “witch hunt” and claimed that the abuse had been exaggerated.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

The article discusses the abuse suffered by Ruby Franke’s children, which relates to the goal of promoting good health and well-being.

SDG 4: Quality Education

The article mentions that Ruby Franke ran a YouTube channel where she shared snippets of her life raising eight children. This highlights the importance of quality education for children.

SDG 5: Gender Equality

The article does not directly address gender equality, but it is relevant as the abuse mentioned in the article affects both boys and girls.

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

The article does not explicitly discuss inequalities, but it can be inferred that the abuse suffered by Ruby Franke’s children is a form of inequality.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

The article discusses the arrests and legal proceedings against Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt, highlighting the importance of justice and strong institutions.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Target 3.1: By 2030, reduce the global maternal mortality ratio

This target is not directly addressed in the article.

Target 4.1: By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable, and quality primary and secondary education

This target is indirectly addressed in the article through the mention of Ruby Franke’s YouTube channel, which can be seen as a form of education for her children.

Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation

This target is indirectly addressed in the article through the mention of the abuse suffered by Ruby Franke’s children.

Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status

This target is not directly addressed in the article.

Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against children

This target is directly addressed in the article through the discussion of the abuse suffered by Ruby Franke’s children.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

No specific indicators are mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets.

4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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Source: time.com

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