UT - Parenting influencer, Ruby Franke, and blogger/podcast partner Jodi Hildebrandt, arrested for Child Abuse, Aug 2023

DNA Solves
DNA Solves
DNA Solves

New Posts

Status
Not open for further replies.
The Kevin that day was the "old" Kevin. The Kevin we see through the prism his attorney holds up is a whole 'nother Kevin :rolleyes:

Meaning he has since figured out he will need Shari's support to even be considered as someone who the children should be entrusted with.

I don't like this man or his attorney. I hope Shari doesn't fall for his too little too late concern for his children.
 
Kevin allegedly reported that electronic items, specifically his electronic journals were missing. He told officers “he believes his oldest daughter Shari is responsible due to a statement she made in court day.”

The officer told Kevin the front door had been broken in after a search warrant was served days prior and not broken by his oldest daughter.

“Kevin stated that Shari is not allowed in the home, and that he believes she entered unlawfully and he wants her charged with burglary,” read an officers statement. “Kevin states that he does not want any of the children mentioned in the home at this time. I again explained that they needed to get essential items of theirs that were in the home, which he did not seem to think was relevant.”
https://kutv.com/news/8-passengers-case/kevin-franke-wanted-to-file-charges-against-daughter-with-burglary-threatens-to-sue-springville-police-jodi-hildebrandt-utah-children-daughter-shari-personal-items-tablets-cell-phones-passports-civil-issue

my take is that these electronic "journals" must contain something that Kevin doesn't want coming out or will reflect even more poorly on him than the fact that he basically ghosted his children for a year on Jodi and Ruby's command.
 
where were the two older minor children when the poo hit the fan? They weren't at the Franke residence and they weren't at Jodi's house with the two younger (abused) children. Turns out they were with another of Jodi's "ConneXions"
---------------------------------------------
According to police, officers then reached out to the oldest Franke sister.

One of the children left a local place of employment by telling her supervisor that “she needed to leave for a family emergency.”

After reviewing surveillance video from the local place of employment, it showed that one of the children was picked up by Pam Bodtcher.

Springville officers were then heading to American Fork to speak with Bodtcher. They were contacted by Utah County Major Crimes Detectives who were at a home in American Fork and they told officers that both children were located.

After dialogue and questioning, Bodtcher then explained “that around noon that day she received a call from Ruby Franke who told her that she had a family emergency and asked if Bodtcher could pick up *** and ***.”
New report details whereabouts of Ruby Franke's children on day of her arrest

who is Bodtcher?
-----------------------------------------------
“Pam Bodtcher is the President of Connexions Foundation,” the website reads in a short biography posted just above Ruby Franke’s bio.
[snip]
“Pam Bodtcher, when I was living with Jodi, Pam Bodtcher was around, she was Jodi’s best friend,” Jessi said. “I didn’t realize that she was connected in this, I mean, I have very strong feelings towards Pam because of, not that she was directly applying abuse, like she wasn’t actually involved but she was one of the people that was constantly surveilling, the surveillance of reporting back to Jodi.”
Unanswered questions surround third Connexions Classroom member's involvement

Of course Ruby didn't call their father, she called a fellow cult, er ConneXions leader instead.
-------------------------------------------
A year later, following a trip with Jodi and another counselor, Ruby told Kevin that his “attitude is infesting the family,” Kester says, and that the only way for them to save their marriage was to separate. Still attending multiple classes weekly with Jodi, Kevin soon moved out. Their son, Chad, joined him, but Jodi, who was also counseling Kevin, ordered them to separate, claiming “they were enabling one another,” Kester says.

Also at Jodi’s direction, Kevin cut off communication with nearly everyone in his life and was only permitted to talk to Ruby if she reached out — and “Ruby was only allowed to contact Kevin three or four times” in the next year, Kester says, who said that Kevin had been unaware of the abuse his children allegedly endured in his absence.
https://people.com/ruby-franke-case-kevin-kicked-out-house-spoke-phone-wife-three-four-times-8347395
 
Apparently there are fathers who love their kids so much that they voluntarily walk away from them, cutting off all contact for years.

I'm drawing a blank on who these other fathers are. According to his attorney though, he's one of them. I'm guessing his attorney also thinks it's especially loving when you ditch the children in their most formative years, leaving them to be abused?


jmo
 
Last edited:
An estranged relative of Jodi Hildebrandt is speaking out about multiple child abuse allegations, as the former therapist sits behind bars in Utah.

Jessi Hildebrandt, Jodi Hildebrandt’s niece who uses they/them pronouns, says their aunt knew exactly what she was doing when she allegedly used extreme therapy techniques on them when they were a teenager. Jessi Hildebrandt says the alleged abuse dates back to around 2010, before Ruby Franke was a part of Jodi Hildebrandt’s counseling services.

Ruby Franke, 41, started the YouTube channel “8 Passengers” in 2015 with her husband. In her videos, she featured the everyday lives of her six children, while giving advice about parenting, homeschooling, and marriage. At its height, the channel amassed more than 2.2 million subscribers.

Uploads to the channel stopped in 2022 and YouTube terminated the account earlier this year. While YouTube did not provide a specific reason for the removal, multiple fellow YouTubers have made videos calling out Ruby Franke for her strict parenting style and punishment tactics.


lawandcrime.com

Jodi Hildebrandt's niece opens up about alleged child abuse

Jessi Hildebrandt details disturbing accusations against their aunt, Jodi Hildebrandt, who faces 6 counts of felony child abuse alongside business partner Ruby Franke.
lawandcrime.com lawandcrime.com

Oct 13th, 2023, 1:19 pm


Both Franke and Hildebrandt are currently jailed and awaiting a bond hearing. Each faces six charges of felony child abuse.

Kevin Franke, Ruby Franke’s husband, blames Jodi Hildebrandt for his children’s suspected abuse. His attorney told Law&Crime that Kevin Franke believes Hildebrandt’s influence led to severe parenting tactics.
 
www.abc4.com

Judge seals all records and closes proceedings in Franke child welfare case

Due to the media storm surrounding the case of YouTube Vlogger Ruby Franke and her business partner Jodi Hildebrandt, a judge has sealed all the records and court proceedings regarding the child we…
www.abc4.com www.abc4.com
Click to expand...
On Sept. 7, the parties appeared in court during a shelter hearing. During the hearing, a member of the press gained access to the hearings unannounced and had access to highly sensitive information pertaining to the children. Later, the media outlet publicized the news story disseminating “confidential and intensely private information about the children to a worldwide audience.”

The court has now ordered that all future hearings in the case be closed to the public and the media. Extended family members may attend after their relationship has been verified. Family members are further restricted from sharing any of the proceedings.
 
tlcya said:
where were the two older minor children when the poo hit the fan? They weren't at the Franke residence and they weren't at Jodi's house with the two younger (abused) children. Turns out they were with another of Jodi's "ConneXions"
---------------------------------------------
According to police, officers then reached out to the oldest Franke sister.

One of the children left a local place of employment by telling her supervisor that “she needed to leave for a family emergency.”

After reviewing surveillance video from the local place of employment, it showed that one of the children was picked up by Pam Bodtcher.

Springville officers were then heading to American Fork to speak with Bodtcher. They were contacted by Utah County Major Crimes Detectives who were at a home in American Fork and they told officers that both children were located.

After dialogue and questioning, Bodtcher then explained “that around noon that day she received a call from Ruby Franke who told her that she had a family emergency and asked if Bodtcher could pick up *** and ***.”
New report details whereabouts of Ruby Franke's children on day of her arrest

who is Bodtcher?
-----------------------------------------------
“Pam Bodtcher is the President of Connexions Foundation,” the website reads in a short biography posted just above Ruby Franke’s bio.
[snip]
“Pam Bodtcher, when I was living with Jodi, Pam Bodtcher was around, she was Jodi’s best friend,” Jessi said. “I didn’t realize that she was connected in this, I mean, I have very strong feelings towards Pam because of, not that she was directly applying abuse, like she wasn’t actually involved but she was one of the people that was constantly surveilling, the surveillance of reporting back to Jodi.”
Unanswered questions surround third Connexions Classroom member's involvement

Of course Ruby didn't call their father, she called a fellow cult, er ConneXions leader instead.
-------------------------------------------
A year later, following a trip with Jodi and another counselor, Ruby told Kevin that his “attitude is infesting the family,” Kester says, and that the only way for them to save their marriage was to separate. Still attending multiple classes weekly with Jodi, Kevin soon moved out. Their son, Chad, joined him, but Jodi, who was also counseling Kevin, ordered them to separate, claiming “they were enabling one another,” Kester says.

Also at Jodi’s direction, Kevin cut off communication with nearly everyone in his life and was only permitted to talk to Ruby if she reached out — and “Ruby was only allowed to contact Kevin three or four times” in the next year, Kester says, who said that Kevin had been unaware of the abuse his children allegedly endured in his absence.
https://people.com/ruby-franke-case-kevin-kicked-out-house-spoke-phone-wife-three-four-times-8347395
Click to expand...
I was struck by this line in the article liked above, “New report details whereabouts of RF’s children on day of her arrest”:

“Bodtcher told officers the request was not odd since “she has had *** and *** over to her residence before to do house work and other chores for her.”

So cops show up and ask PB if she didn’t think it was strange that RF, out of the blue, asked her to collect her two children and bring them to her house, and PB explains that it didn’t strike her as odd because the kids had previously been at her house to work?! Not, “oh, they’re here a lot with their mom/siblings to visit,“ or “yes, sometimes we would ask each other to pick up our kids if something unexpected came up at work,” etc.—but “well, it wasn’t the first time I’d been unexpectedly asked to transport some her kids to my house to perform housekeeping tasks and yard work.” Just makes me suspicious that maybe, not infrequently, RF just farmed out her kids’ labor to her friends as a type of punishment for whatever transgressions her delusional mind imagined they’d committe.
 
ifindedout said:
On Sept. 7, the parties appeared in court during a shelter hearing. During the hearing, a member of the press gained access to the hearings unannounced and had access to highly sensitive information pertaining to the children. Later, the media outlet publicized the news story disseminating “confidential and intensely private information about the children to a worldwide audience.”

The court has now ordered that all future hearings in the case be closed to the public and the media. Extended family members may attend after their relationship has been verified. Family members are further restricted from sharing any of the proceedings.
Click to expand...
I am glad the judge arrived at this decision. The two youngest have been drug through the mud by their mother with her disgusting allegations, they need the privacy this seal will afford them. I am thrilled that Shari will be allowed to continue to be present. She survived that household, she practically raised those younger siblings, I feel she is their best ally and she will give the court an idea of the household dynamic through the years and how it came to be what it was by the time LE intervened in this family.
 
Kevin told cops that the front door of his home had been 'kicked in' and damaged, with some electronic items missing – claiming it was his eldest daughter who broke in.

But he 'wanted to have his daughter charged with theft for taking some hard drives out of the house', with officers informing him that she 'wasn't aware' she couldn't have them.

Shari returned the items – three tablets, three cell phones, three cameras, journals and three passports – to Springville Police Department. Officers then returned them to her father.

Kevin allegedly threatened to sue the police department after they refused to charge his daughter with any crime.

Police said Shari's intent was 'not to deprive him of any items, she had previously been allowed in the home, and he had not been in the home admittedly for 13 months.'
Ruby Franke's husband wanted eldest daughter ARRESTED for burglary

Mr. Franke was BIG mad ;) I knew he had a fit and tried to blame Shari for the door and theft but threatening to sue LE AFTER they declined to charge her tells me exactly who he is. He is a man worried about appearances and those digital journals must contain stuff he really really doesn't want out there. He should have been worried about his kids at a time like that. MOO
 
I'm confused about the Springville, UT house. The distance between Ivins, UT (where Jodi H lives and the children were found in terrible condition) and Springville, UT (where the "family home" is located) is about a 4-hour drive. Where were RF, the other two children and Pam B living when everything fell apart?

Had anyone been living in the Springville house?
 
Howl said:
I'm confused about the Springville, UT house. The distance between Ivins, UT (where Jodi H lives and the children were found in terrible condition) and Springville, UT (where the "family home" is located) is about a 4-hour drive. Where were RF, the other two children and Pam B living when everything fell apart?

Had anyone been living in the Springville house?
Click to expand...

She had left her children home alone for days at a time in Springville. She is a neglectful mother along with abusive!
 
Howl said:
I'm confused about the Springville, UT house. The distance between Ivins, UT (where Jodi H lives and the children were found in terrible condition) and Springville, UT (where the "family home" is located) is about a 4-hour drive. Where were RF, the other two children and Pam B living when everything fell apart?

Had anyone been living in the Springville house?
Click to expand...
"The neighbor and others "immediately started telling about how the mother of the residence, Ruby Franke, will leave her children home for extended periods of time and go to St. George to spend time with her friend" Jodi Hildebrandt,...
www.nbcnews.com

Police went to Ruby Franke’s home last year over concerns she left children alone for days

Police were called to Franke's Utah home in September 2022, nearly a year before her arrest on child abuse counts.
www.nbcnews.com www.nbcnews.com
 
SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) — YouTuber Ruby Franke, who was arrested in August along with fellow content creator Jodi Hildebrandt on felony child abuse charges, is due in court Tuesday in a separate case.
[snip]
Ruby Franke set to appear in Utah County courtroom in welfare, custody case

Franke was formally booked in Spanish Fork on Friday afternoon and is being held on a "courtesy hold" for an upcoming court hearing on Tuesday.

As for the court hearing, Franke will be appearing in her family welfare case, which is separate from the felony child abuse case involving her and her business partner, Jodi Hildebrandt.
Ruby Franke transferred back to Utah County on 'courtesy hold' for upcoming hearing

YouTube influencer Ruby Franke due in court
 
Kevin Franke and his two adult children were seen arriving together with attorneys ahead of Tuesday's pretrial hearing in the family's child welfare case stemming from the arrest of wife and mother Ruby Franke.
[snip]
"As to the adults, I don't think anybody cares," attorney Randy Kester told 2News after the conference. "But as for the kids ... these kids have been through a lot and to have all this media exposure to them individually as little kids who have been manipulated, I think it's better held privately."
[snip]
In a statement to 2News, Kester said reports that Kevin wanted to press charges against Shari - and sue the Springville Police Department - were not true.

He added that the two were "working together on bygones and resuming a loving and healthy father-daughter relationship."

Shari has been a vocal opponent of Ruby's for some time, and was one of several people who contacted authorities up to a year prior to Ruby's arrest to report the Franke children were being abused.
https://kutv.com/news/8-passengers-case/ruby-franke-set-to-appear-in-utah-county-courtroom-in-welfare-case

1st BBM well lookey there, something I agree with Kevin's attorney on.
2nd BBM - and that was the end of that, because don't believe him on this point. I think his client did exactly as reported.
 
tlcya said:
I am glad the judge arrived at this decision. The two youngest have been drug through the mud by their mother with her disgusting allegations, they need the privacy this seal will afford them. I am thrilled that Shari will be allowed to continue to be present. She survived that household, she practically raised those younger siblings, I feel she is their best ally and she will give the court an idea of the household dynamic through the years and how it came to be what it was by the time LE intervened in this family.
Click to expand...
I truly hope that the judge and social services put a stop to the further abuse of these kids by entertaining the nonsense that they’re sex predators and a danger to other kids. That’s further victimization and the only reason for any transparency.
 
tlcya said:
Kevin Franke and his two adult children were seen arriving together with attorneys ahead of Tuesday's pretrial hearing in the family's child welfare case stemming from the arrest of wife and mother Ruby Franke.
[snip]
"As to the adults, I don't think anybody cares," attorney Randy Kester told 2News after the conference. "But as for the kids ... these kids have been through a lot and to have all this media exposure to them individually as little kids who have been manipulated, I think it's better held privately."
[snip]
In a statement to 2News, Kester said reports that Kevin wanted to press charges against Shari - and sue the Springville Police Department - were not true.

He added that the two were "working together on bygones and resuming a loving and healthy father-daughter relationship."

Shari has been a vocal opponent of Ruby's for some time, and was one of several people who contacted authorities up to a year prior to Ruby's arrest to report the Franke children were being abused.
https://kutv.com/news/8-passengers-case/ruby-franke-set-to-appear-in-utah-county-courtroom-in-welfare-case

1st BBM well lookey there, something I agree with Kevin's attorney on.
2nd BBM - and that was the end of that, because don't believe him on this point. I think his client did exactly as reported.
Click to expand...
There’s video of him clearly mad that his child wasn’t charged. This is on the day his other kids were found in deplorable conditions. But he’s worried about having Shari arrested.

Look at this attitude in the video. Disgusting.

Video shows Kevin Franke after reporting burglary, asking about pressing charges against daughter

kutv.com kutv.com
 
tlcya said:
Kevin told cops that the front door of his home had been 'kicked in' and damaged, with some electronic items missing – claiming it was his eldest daughter who broke in.

But he 'wanted to have his daughter charged with theft for taking some hard drives out of the house', with officers informing him that she 'wasn't aware' she couldn't have them.

Shari returned the items – three tablets, three cell phones, three cameras, journals and three passports – to Springville Police Department. Officers then returned them to her father.

Kevin allegedly threatened to sue the police department after they refused to charge his daughter with any crime.

Police said Shari's intent was 'not to deprive him of any items, she had previously been allowed in the home, and he had not been in the home admittedly for 13 months.'
Ruby Franke's husband wanted eldest daughter ARRESTED for burglary

Mr. Franke was BIG mad ;) I knew he had a fit and tried to blame Shari for the door and theft but threatening to sue LE AFTER they declined to charge her tells me exactly who he is. He is a man worried about appearances and those digital journals must contain stuff he really really doesn't want out there. He should have been worried about his kids at a time like that. MOO
Click to expand...
My question is why did the police allow the electronics to be released? Seems like there might be evidence in them.
 
gitana1 said:
My question is why did the police allow the electronics to be released? Seems like there might be evidence in them.
Click to expand...
The article is not clear but I had the same question. Did LE at first ascertain the contents before returning them to Kevin? How else would they know they weren't actually Ruby's and/or that they didn't contain evidence?
 
Shari Franke, the oldest child of Kevin and Ruby Franke, says her life has been a whirlwind since her mother was arrested in August for allegedly abusing her two youngest siblings. The Law&Crime Network’s Jesse Weber speaks with KUTV2News reporter Brian Schnee about Shari Franke’s latest social media posts amidst a firestorm of accusations involving her family
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

DNASolves

Who is Fairfield County Jane Doe (1993)?

Members online

... and 254 more.
Total: 840 (members: 255, guests: 585)

Online statistics

Members online
255
Guests online
585
Total visitors
840
Totals may include hidden visitors.

Forum statistics

Threads
608,398
Messages
18,239,035
Members
234,368
Latest member
Cholabhagat
Back
Top