Prosecutors say new video, documents show ‘religious extremism’ motivated parent blogger Ruby Franke’s abuse of children | CNN

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Introduction

1. The Washington County Attorney’s Office has released videos and documents related to the child abuse case involving parent blogger Ruby Franke.

Motivation for Abuse

• The documents, including Franke’s diary, reveal that prosecutors believe “religious extremism” motivated Franke and her business partner Jodi Hildebrandt to inflict “horrific abuse” on Franke’s children.

Guilty Plea and Charges

• Franke pleaded guilty to four counts of aggravated child abuse in December and vlogged the abuse on the now-deleted YouTube channel “8 Passengers”. She initially faced six counts but pleaded not guilty to two as part of a plea deal.
• Hildebrandt also pleaded guilty to four counts of aggravated child abuse.

Evidence of Abuse

• A video shows Franke’s 12-year-old son appearing wounded and malnourished after escaping from Hildebrandt’s home.
• The boy sought help from a neighbor, who noticed duct tape around his ankles and wrists and contacted the authorities.
• Franke’s 9-year-old daughter was found malnourished and hiding in a closet during a search of Hildebrandt’s home.

Abuse Details

• Franke’s handwritten journal describes months of abuse, including making the children stand and sleep outdoors, forcing them to do wall sits, shaving the girl’s head, and withholding basic necessities.
• Franke’s journal entries also indicate her belief in religious practices to discipline the children.

Prosecutor’s Statement

• The attorney’s office stated that Franke and Hildebrandt believed the abuse was necessary to teach the children how to repent for imagined sins and remove evil spirits from their bodies.

Sentencing

• Franke and Hildebrandt were each sentenced to four consecutive prison terms of one to 15 years in a Utah prison.
• The length of their sentence will be overseen by the Utah Board of Pardons and Parole due to Utah’s indeterminate sentencing laws.

Conclusion

• The evidence release by the Washington County Attorney’s Office sheds light on the severity of the child abuse case involving Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt.

Comment from Attorneys

• CNN has reached out to the attorneys for Franke and Hildebrandt for comment on the evidence release.

Contributors

• This report was contributed to by CNN’s Sara Smart, Keith Allen, and Laura Studley.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis

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

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
• SDG 4: Quality Education
• SDG 5: Gender Equality
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

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

• SDG 3.2: By 2030, end preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age.
• SDG 4.1: By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable, and quality primary and secondary education.
• SDG 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.
• SDG 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.
• SDG 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children.

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

• Indicator for SDG 3.2: Number of preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age.
• Indicator for SDG 4.1: Percentage of children completing primary and secondary education.
• Indicator for SDG 5.2: Number of reported cases of violence against women and girls.
• Indicator for SDG 10.2: Proportion of the population with access to basic services, including education, health care, and social protection.
• Indicator for SDG 16.2: Number of children subjected to abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and violence.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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Source: cnn.com

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