Gov. Cox calls Ruby Franke child abuse allegations ‘disturbing,’ says DCFS will review case
Gov. Cox calls Ruby Franke child abuse allegations 'disturbing,' says DCFS will review case Salt Lake Tribune
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Child Abuse Allegations Against Ruby Franke: A Review of the Case
Introduction
During his monthly news conference on Thursday, Governor Spencer Cox expressed his concern over the child abuse allegations against Ruby Franke. He emphasized the importance of reviewing how the state handled the case, as is done with all child welfare complaints. Governor Cox highlighted the severity of the allegations, which involved a child being duct-taped to a chair and suffering from malnourishment.
The Arrest and Charges
Ruby Franke and her business partner, Jodi Hildebrandt, were arrested on August 30. They each face six felony counts of aggravated child abuse after Franke’s 12-year-old son escaped from Hildebrandt’s home in Ivins. The boy was found malnourished with duct tape on his ankles and wrists. Franke’s 10-year-old daughter was also discovered malnourished inside the same house. Both children were taken to a hospital for medical treatment and have since been placed into the custody of the Utah Division of Child and Family Services.
Details from the Search Warrant Records
Search warrant records released this week revealed that Franke’s 12-year-old son told police that Hildebrandt had tied him down with rope before he managed to escape. The boy was found to be emaciated and weak, with open wounds under the duct tape. He claimed that his mother and Hildebrandt had used cayenne pepper and honey to treat the wounds.
Importance of Protecting Children
Governor Cox acknowledged that child abuse cases like this are unfortunately common, but the high-profile nature of Ruby Franke’s case has drawn significant attention. He expressed his concern for the well-being of children and emphasized the need to ensure their protection. Governor Cox stated that all DCFS complaints are thoroughly reviewed to identify any potential areas for improvement or changes in laws.
Previous Concerns Raised
A neighbor of Ruby Franke had previously contacted the Utah Division of Child Services multiple times last year, expressing concerns about the well-being of Franke’s children. She reported that the children were being left home alone for extended periods of time. However, the agency cited Utah’s “free-range parenting” law, stating that they could not take action unless a child was injured while being left alone. The neighbor believes that DCFS missed opportunities to investigate the welfare of Franke’s children.
DCFS Statement and the “Free-Range Parenting” Law
DCFS released a statement clarifying that a child protective services investigation for “non-supervision” falls under the category of neglect. The agency emphasized that an investigation is only initiated when there is a specific occurrence or allegation of accidental harm due to a failure to supervise the child appropriately based on their age and maturity. They also highlighted that the “free-range parenting” law does not absolve parents from supervising their children.
Conclusion
Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt remain in custody without bail in Washington County. They are expected to appear in court after October 5. The case has raised concerns about child abuse and the need for effective child protection measures. It underscores the importance of addressing the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16, which aims to promote peace, justice, and strong institutions to protect children from abuse and neglect.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
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SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
- Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children
- Indicator 16.2.2: Number of victims of human trafficking per 100,000 population, by sex, age group, and form of exploitation
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SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
- Target 3.2: By 2030, end preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age, with all countries aiming to reduce neonatal mortality to at least as low as 12 per 1,000 live births and under-5 mortality to at least as low as 25 per 1,000 live births
- Indicator 3.2.1: Under-five mortality rate
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SDG 4: Quality Education
- Target 4.7: By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including, among others, through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship, and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development
- Indicator 4.7.1: Extent to which (i) global citizenship education and (ii) education for sustainable development (including climate change education) are mainstreamed in (a) national education policies; (b) curricula; (c) teacher education; and (d) student assessment
Analysis
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SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
The article highlights child abuse allegations against Ruby Franke, which connects to SDG 16’s target of ending abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against children. The specific indicator 16.2.2, which measures the number of victims of human trafficking per 100,000 population, is not directly mentioned in the article but can be inferred from the allegations of child abuse.
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SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
The article mentions that the children involved in the case were malnourished and had suffered from neglect. This relates to SDG 3’s target of reducing preventable deaths of children under 5 years of age. The specific indicator 3.2.1, which measures the under-five mortality rate, is not directly mentioned in the article but can be implied from the children’s poor health conditions.
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SDG 4: Quality Education
The article mentions that Ruby Franke was a YouTuber who previously hosted a channel called “8 Passengers,” where she video-blogged the lives of her family. This connects to SDG 4’s target of ensuring that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development. The specific indicator 4.7.1, which measures the extent to which global citizenship education and education for sustainable development are mainstreamed in national education policies, curricula, teacher education, and student assessment, is not directly mentioned in the article but can be inferred from Franke’s online presence.
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children | Indicator 16.2.2: Number of victims of human trafficking per 100,000 population, by sex, age group, and form of exploitation |
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | Target 3.2: By 2030, end preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age, with all countries aiming to reduce neonatal mortality to at least as low as 12 per 1,000 live births and under-5 mortality to at least as low as 25 per 1,000 live births | Indicator 3.2.1: Under-five mortality rate |
| SDG 4: Quality Education | Target 4.7: By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including, among others, through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship, and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development | Indicator 4.7.1: Extent to which (i) global citizenship education and (ii) education for sustainable development (including climate change education) are mainstreamed in (a) national education policies; (b) curricula; (c) teacher education; and (d) student assessment |
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Source: sltrib.com
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