Handcuffs and Forced Labor: The Disturbing Details in Mommy Vlogger Ruby Franke’s Plea

New details have emerged in the plea deal of YouTuber and family vlogger Ruby Franke. The infamous mommy vlogger behind the popular “8 Passengers” family channel pleaded guilty on Monday to four counts of second-degree felony child abuse, according to KUTV. (Representatives for Franke did not immediately respond to Rolling Stone’s request for comment.) Franke faces up to 60 years in prison and a $40,000 fine, per Utah law. 

Franke has spent the past three months in police custody without bail. She and her business partner and podcast co-host Jodi Hildebrandt were arrested on Aug. 30 after Franke’s 12-year-old son went to neighbors wounded, emaciated, and asking for help. 

According to the plea deal signed by Franke, the Utah mother admitted that she intentionally or knowingly inflicted and allowed another adult to inflict serious harm to two of her children, aged nine and 12. Concerning her 12-year-old son, Franke conceded that she forced him to do physical labor for “hours and days at a time,” had him carry boxes of books up and down stairs, forced him to do wall-sits, made him stand in direct sunlight for several days resulting in sunburns, denied him adequate water, and isolated him from other people and entertainment. Others in the home were also given better food while the 12-year-old was only allowed plain meals.

After her son attempted to run away, the plea deal states that Franke bound his hands and feet “regularly,” with two sets of handcuffs on his wrists and ankles. He was often suspended with his arms and lower legs off the ground. The document says Franke kicked her son while wearing boots, held his head underwater, and cut off his oxygen supply by putting her hands over his mouth and nose. The bindings gave the 12-year-old damage to his skin and muscles, which were treated first with “homeopathic remedies,” then covered in duct tape, before he was once again locked back into handcuffs.

Franke also admitted that her nine-year-old daughter was subjected to similar physical tasks, including being forced to work outside and run barefoot on dirt roads. Court documents note that when taken into police custody in August, the daughter was still injured from running outside, and had wounds described as “scabs, blisters, and sloughing skin.” Both of the children were told that they were evil and possessed, their punishments were necessary acts of love, and they needed to receive the treatment in order to repent. 

Franke’s team did not respond to multiple requests from Rolling Stone, and have claimed in a statement to People that Franke was “led astray” and subjected to a “distorted sense of morality, shaped by Ms. Hildebrandt’s influence.” (Attempts to reach Hildebrandt for comment were unsuccessful.)
During her time in court, Franke pleaded guilty by saying “With my deepest regret and sorrow for my family and my children, guilty.” Her sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 20.