“An In-Depth Look into the Accusations Against Parenting Influencer Ruby Franke”

Parenting Influencer Ruby Franke Accused Of Aggravated Child Abuse: What To Know About Her Arrest

Updated August 31, 2023

In a shocking turn of events, Ruby Franke, a well-known family and parenting influencer, has been arrested on charges of aggravated child abuse. Franke, who gained fame through her YouTube channel called 8 Passengers, has faced criticism in the past for her strict parenting style. The arrest comes after a child, reportedly malnourished and with duct tape on their ankles and wrists, escaped from a window and sought help from a neighbor.

Facts of the Case

The Washington County Sheriff’s Department has stated that both Franke and her business partner, Jodi Hildebrandt, are currently in custody. The child who escaped was found in Hildebrandt’s home, and neighbors describe the child as emaciated with open wounds and duct tape around their extremities. Additionally, another malnourished child was discovered in the home. Arresting documents allege that Franke appeared in a YouTube video filmed in Hildebrandt’s home, suggesting that she would have been aware of the abuse happening there.

Ruby Franke rose to fame as a “momfluencer” in 2015 through her YouTube channel, which had over 2.2 million subscribers before it was abruptly removed earlier this year. The channel had been criticized for the Frankes’ disciplining methods, including accusations of starvation and abusive punishments. Viewers even called child protective services after their son claimed to have slept on a beanbag for seven months as a punishment.

While Franke has defended her parenting style as a means of teaching consequences, her channel and subsequent channel, ConneXions, which she created with therapist Jodi Hildebrandt, have faced ongoing criticism for their extremism and manipulation.

Response and Backlash

Following the arrest, Ruby Franke’s eldest child, Shari Franke, took to Instagram to express relief that child protective services had finally become involved. She asked her followers to share any questionable or concerning videos from the 8 Passengers or ConneXions accounts. However, there is no immediate response from the Washington County Sheriff’s Department regarding further details of Franke’s arrest.

The Issue of Parenting Influencers

While Ruby Franke is the latest parenting influencer to face criminal charges, she is not alone in the industry. Influencers Jessica Gasser and Taylor Frankie Paul have also faced legal troubles related to their parenting practices. This raises questions about the exploitation of minors in the family vlogging industry and the potential violation of their privacy.

Family vlogging, once considered harmless, has come under scrutiny for exposing children to questionable online exposure and potentially attracting individuals searching for sexualized child content. The YouTube algorithm, in particular, has faced criticism for placing innocent family videos near videos featuring partially clothed children.

Conclusion

The arrest of parenting influencer Ruby Franke on charges of aggravated child abuse has highlighted the need for increased scrutiny of the family vlogging industry. It is essential to prioritize the well-being and safety of children in these online platforms and to hold influencers accountable for their parenting practices.

While the case of Ruby Franke is still ongoing, it serves as a reminder that fame and influence should never come at the expense of a child’s well-being. Parents and viewers must carefully evaluate the content they consume and consider the potential impact on the children involved.