Featured Image Credit: the_internet_is_foreverr/TikTok/YouTube/moms_of_truth
Topics: YouTube, Parenting, True Crime, Mental Health, TikTok
Joshua Nair
Topics: YouTube, Parenting, True Crime, Mental Health, TikTok
Warning: This article contains discussion of child abuse which some readers may find distressing
YouTube mum Ruby Franke was handed her prison sentence this week, six months after being arrested.
The 42-year-old pleaded guilty to four counts of aggravated child abuse in December 2023 along with her business partner and mental health counsellor, Jodi Hildebrandt, 54.
Franke's 12-year-old son escaped through a window in Hildebrandt's house, alerting a neighbour to get help as he was covered in lacerations and had duct tape around his ankles and wrists, according to police.
His siblings were found in a similar state by the authorities.
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Before her conviction, Franke, revealed the full extent of her crimes in her plea deal, admitting to holding her son's underwater, kicking him while wearing boots, and subjecting him to physical labour in the sun with little food or water.
Making a name for herself with her YouTube channel, which amassed over two and a half million subscribers at its peak, Franke apologised to her children in court after her sentence, saying: "I will never stop crying for hurting your tender souls."
Both mothers were given four separate prison sentences for one to 15 years, with the length of each sentence up to Utah Board of Pardons and Parole.
However, due to Utah law, this cannot exceed 30 years.
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Following her conviction, one of Franke's older children, Chad Franke, appeared in a TikTok with his girlfriend, seemingly taking a dig at the situation.
In the clip, which was deleted and has since been reposted on another account, the couple are dancing to a song.
When the camera is on his significant other, the text overlay reads: "You'd love my mom!"
But when it is pointed at him, it says: "My moms in prison."
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According to the Daily Mail, the original video was posted three days before his mum's sentencing.
Viewers of the viral clip let their opinions be known in the comments below.
One user commented: "He is justifiably hurt. It must have felt empowering to make this. Wishing Chad and his siblings healing from severe trauma."
Another showed their support, saying: "They haven’t had friends in many years. I get happy seeing them with friends. Let alone gf/bf to take special care of them. Chad is happy bcuz his siblings didn’t deserve that."
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If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence regarding the welfare of a child, contact the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000, 10am-8pm Monday to Friday. If you are a child seeking advice and support, call Childline for free on 0800 1111, 24/7.