TL/DR –
The 12-year-old son of Ruby Franke, a Utah woman who gave online parenting advice via a YouTube channel, revealed that Franke’s business partner, Jodi Hildebrandt, used ropes to tie him up. Both Franke and Hildebrandt now face six felony counts of aggravated child abuse, with no pleas entered yet and both jailed without bond. The boy managed to escape from Hildebrandt’s house, where officers later found another child, items used for abuse, and evidence of a remedy for wounds, indicating awareness of the abuse.
The Shocking Child Abuse Case of a Popular YouTuber’s Son
The son of a Utah woman known for her online parenting advice on a YouTube channel claims that his mother’s business partner, a licensed mental health counselor, used ropes to tie him up, as indicated by search warrants in the child abuse case made public recently.
The malnourished 12-year-old boy, who managed to escape and seek help from neighbours on Aug. 30, revealed that they used cayenne pepper and honey to dress wounds caused by the ropes.
The boy’s mother, Ruby Franke, who advised on parenting via a YouTube channel “8 Passengers,” and her business partner, Jodi Hildebrandt, face six felony counts of aggravated child abuse for harm inflicted on the boy and Franke’s 10-year-old daughter. Both have not entered pleas and remain imprisoned without bond.
Authorities stated that the presence of a remedy for the children’s wounds proved Hildebrandt knew about the abuse, reported CBS affiliate KUTV.
The boy, who appeared at a neighbor’s house with duct tape on his ankles and wrists, revealed that two other siblings were at Hildebrandt’s house. Officers found a 10-year-old girl, but couldn’t locate the 14-year-old. The four youngest of Franke’s six children were eventually placed in child protective services.
During the search, officers found three ropes, two handcuffs, two bowls containing a paste of cayenne pepper and honey, bandages, plastic wrap, and a journal. While cayenne pepper has long been used for medicinal purposes, it should not be used on cracked skin or open wounds, according to Mount Sinai.
Two other warrants authorized officers to seize laptops, cellphones, any video or audio recordings that might show any child abuse and any communications between Hildebrandt and Franke.
Last week, Franke’s sisters released videos detailing her separation from their family and their efforts to connect with her children. Both sisters claimed they were not aware of their sister’s actions.
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