Ruby Franke, a parenting influencer known for her controversial advice, has been sentenced to at least four years in prison for child abuse. The 42-year-old mother of six pleaded guilty to starving and abusing her children, along with her former business partner Jodi Hildebrandt, 54, who received the same sentence.
The case came to light in August when Franke's 12-year-old son escaped from their Utah home, covered in open wounds, and sought help from a neighbour. Police reported the boy had duct tape on his ankles and was suffering from malnourishment and deep lacerations from being tied up with rope. Four children were subsequently taken into care.
Franke gained fame through her YouTube channel '8 Passengers', launched in 2015, which attracted two million subscribers with its strict parenting methods. Videos showed her withholding meals as punishment and removing her son's bedroom for seven months. Critics had long raised concerns, but the channel continued to grow, with experts attributing its success to parental anxiety and the appeal of extreme solutions.
In court, Franke tearfully apologised, saying she was 'so disoriented that I believed dark was light and right was wrong.' Her husband Kevin Franke, now estranged, had previously defended their approach as teaching children to 'live responsibly'. The case has sparked debate about the dangers of family vlogging and the influence of online parenting advice.
