Kevin Franke and Shari Franke: Child abuse is a serious problem in Utah. We cannot solve it with the status quo. – The Salt Lake Tribune

Report on Child Welfare Reform Advocacy in Utah

Background and Context

Kevin Franke and his eldest daughter, Shari Franke, have emerged as advocates for child welfare reform in Utah following the tragic abuse of Kevin’s two youngest children. The children were subjected to prolonged and severe abuse by their mother, Ruby Franke, and licensed counselor Jodi Hildebrandt, both of whom have pleaded guilty to multiple counts of felony child abuse and are currently incarcerated.

Case Details and Challenges in Child Protection

1. Ruby Franke withdrew the children from public school under the pretext of homeschooling.
2. The children were isolated and hidden from public view, including relocation to a remote desert home in southern Utah.
3. Repeated attempts by state social workers from the Department of Child and Family Services (DCFS) to communicate were ignored.
4. Police and DCFS caseworkers were denied access when attempting to intervene.

These actions created significant barriers for authorities to verify the children’s safety, resulting in months of unchecked abuse. The situation was only resolved when the children were rescued in August 2023, following a courageous escape by one of the children.

Advocacy for Child Welfare Reform and SDG Alignment

Kevin and Shari Franke have since become vocal proponents for reforming child welfare laws in Utah, emphasizing the need to protect children’s rights and wellbeing while balancing parental rights. Their advocacy aligns closely with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly:

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being – Ensuring children’s physical and mental health through protection from abuse.
• SDG 4: Quality Education – Highlighting the risks of unregulated homeschooling in cases of abuse.
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions – Promoting effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions to safeguard children’s rights.
• SDG 5: Gender Equality – Addressing systemic issues that may contribute to child abuse and neglect.

Proposed Legislative Solutions: SB0124

The Frankes support Utah Senate Bill 0124 (SB0124), a bipartisan legislative proposal designed to:

• Establish a legal framework allowing courts to authorize safety checks on children when credible concerns arise and access is denied.
• Enhance judicial oversight to ensure interventions are proportional, transparent, and focused on prevention.
• Address root causes such as housing instability and behavioral health needs through early engagement with support services.
• Clarify procedures around investigative and search warrants to enable timely assessments and reduce trauma from unnecessary family separations.

This bill aims to balance the protection of children’s wellbeing with respect for parental rights, thereby advancing SDG 16 by strengthening justice and institutional responses to child abuse.

Urgency and Call to Action

The Frankes emphasize the increasing prevalence of child abuse in Utah, citing recent cases such as the death of Gavin Peterson. They stress that current laws often delay intervention until it is too late, underscoring the need for immediate legislative action.

They call on Utah residents to support SB0124 by contacting their state representatives, advocating for a system that prioritizes child safety while respecting family integrity.

Conclusion

The advocacy efforts by Kevin and Shari Franke highlight critical gaps in child welfare protections in Utah and propose actionable reforms aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals. Implementing SB0124 represents a significant step toward ensuring the safety, health, and rights of children, contributing to a more just and equitable society.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • Focus on child welfare, prevention of abuse, and mental and physical health of children.
2. SDG 4: Quality Education
   • Issues related to homeschooling and access to education as children were pulled out of public school.
3. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • Child protection laws, judicial oversight, and legal reforms to prevent abuse and ensure justice.
4. SDG 5: Gender Equality
   • Implicitly connected through the focus on protecting children and addressing abuse within families.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Identified

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • Target 3.2: End preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age.
   • Target 3.4: Promote mental health and well-being.
2. SDG 4: Quality Education
   • Target 4.1: Ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education.
   • Target 4.5: Eliminate gender disparities and ensure equal access to all levels of education and vocational training.
3. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children.
   • Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.
   • Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. Child Abuse Incidence and Mortality Rates
   • Statistics on child abuse cases in Utah and deaths such as that of Gavin Peterson indicate measurement of abuse prevalence and mortality.
2. Access to Child Welfare Services
   • Indicators related to the responsiveness of child welfare authorities (e.g., DCFS outreach attempts, cooperation rates from parents).
3. Legal and Judicial Actions
   • Number of cases where courts authorize safety checks or interventions under laws like SB0124.
   • Effectiveness of red flag laws in preventing abuse and enabling timely intervention.
4. Educational Enrollment and Attendance
   • Monitoring children’s enrollment status, especially those withdrawn from public schooling for homeschooling without oversight.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets and Indicators

Source: sltrib.com