Summary (tl;dr)

Jodi Hildebrandt, a former therapist, and Ruby Franke, a former YouTube parenting vlogger, are currently trending due to their incarceration for aggravated child abuse and renewed public interest following the release of a new Netflix documentary detailing their crimes and twisted relationship.

Essential Background

Ruby Franke rose to prominence through her popular YouTube channel "8 Passengers," where she chronicled her life as a mother of six. As her channel progressed, some viewers expressed concerns about her strict parenting methods. Later, Franke partnered with Jodi Hildebrandt, a self-proclaimed life coach, to launch a joint YouTube channel called "ConneXions," which offered parenting advice that often garnered controversy.

The Full Story

In August 2023, the case gained national attention when Franke's 12-year-old son escaped from Hildebrandt's residence in Ivins, Utah, and sought help from a neighbor. He was found in an emaciated state, with open wounds and duct tape around his extremities. Law enforcement subsequently discovered Franke's 9-year-old daughter in a similar condition inside Hildebrandt's home. Both Hildebrandt and Franke were arrested and charged with six counts of aggravated child abuse.

In December 2023, both women pleaded guilty to four counts of aggravated child abuse, admitting to physically and emotionally torturing Franke's two youngest children by denying them food, water, and beds, forcing them into manual labor, and inflicting various forms of harm, often citing religious extremism as motivation. On February 20, 2024, they received identical sentences of four consecutive prison terms, potentially leading to up to 30 years in prison, with the precise duration to be determined by the Utah Board of Pardons and Parole. The renewed public interest in "jodi hildebrandt" and "ruby franke" on December 30, 2025, is significantly fueled by the release of the Netflix documentary, "Evil Influencer: The Jodi Hildebrandt Story," which further explores their case and the disturbing details of their relationship. Additionally, in March 2025, Hildebrandt attempted to withdraw her guilty plea, alleging ineffective counsel and denial of due process.

Why It Matters

This case garnered widespread attention due to Ruby Franke's previous status as a popular family vlogger and the horrific nature of the child abuse. The situation has sparked discussions regarding the lack of regulation in the "life coaching" industry and the potential for manipulative influences, especially in the realm of online content creation. Public interest remains high concerning the legal outcomes, the welfare of the children involved, and the broader implications for social media personalities and child protection. Franke's estranged husband has also advocated for reforms in the child welfare system and regulations for life coaching.

Geographic Location

• Ivins, Washington County, Utah, United States (location of Jodi Hildebrandt's residence where the child abuse occurred and arrests were made)
• Washington County 5th District Court, Washington County, Utah, United States (location of sentencing for Franke and Hildebrandt)
• Utah State Correctional Facility, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County, Utah, United States (where Jodi Hildebrandt and Ruby Franke are incarcerated)