Ruby Franke, a former family vlogger from Utah, has been convicted of child abuse following allegations that she physically and mentally mistreated her six children. Franke, who gained popularity through her now-defunct YouTube channel, was accused of severe neglect and abuse, reportedly influenced by her therapist, Jodi Hildebrandt.
Franke’s case gained national attention after her youngest son, Russell Franke, escaped from their home, seeking help from a neighbor. Reports detailed instances of Franke allegedly starving her children, confining them to rooms, removing their beds, applying sriracha sauce to their wounds, and using duct tape to restrain them.
High school students and faculty shared their perspectives on the case, particularly after a documentary about Franke was released.
Grace Vann, a sophomore and true crime enthusiast, expressed strong opinions on the situation.
“I think Ruby Franke is a terrible person,” Vann said. “Neglecting food and basic needs is child abuse, and she has done that multiple times. She should be held accountable and sentenced to more than 30 years in prison.”
Sophomore Sophia Ruiz, who also watched the documentary, agreed.
“There is evidence for most of the allegations, so she can’t really deny what she did,” Ruiz said. “She is a liar. She is just a bad person.”
Ruiz found one part of the case particularly disturbing.
“The hardest part for me to watch was when they said she made her son live in the basement and sleep on a bean bag for seven months,” she said. “That part was really sad and made me angry.”
Madeline Wendt, a history teacher, weighed in on the role of Franke’s husband in the situation.
“He says he didn’t know about the abuse, but he also left for a year,” Wendt said. “It’s hard to know the full truth, but I don’t believe he was completely unaware. He should have gone to the police.”
The case has raised broader concerns about family vloggers and the potential risks of exposing children’s lives online. Critics argue that increased awareness is needed to prevent similar situations in the future.
Franke has been sentenced to prison, and legal proceedings continue regarding the extent of Hildebrandt’s involvement.
