Ruby Franke ran a popular parenting channel for seven years (Picture: @abbyfranke_8passengers)
A former family vlogger who ran a popular YouTube channel sharing parenting advice has been charged with child abuse.
Mum-of-six Ruby Franke, 41, and her business partner Jodi Hildebrandt were arrested after her son fled from their home in Utah.
Both women have been charged with six counts of aggravated child abuse and are being held without the possibility of bail.
Franke’s 12-year-old son climbed out of a window in Hildebrandt’s home and ran to a neighbour’s house to ask for food and water, police say.
The neighbour called 911 after noticing the boy appeared emaciated, looked to have suffered wounds and had duct tape on his wrists and ankles.
He was taken to hospital due to ‘deep lacerations from being tied up with a rope’ and ‘malnourishment’, police said.
Franke was arrested after two of her children were found malnourished (Picture: @abbyfranke_8passengers)
The mother-of-six faces six counts of child abuse (Picture: @abbyfranke_8passengers)
Franke’s 10-year-old daughter was later found in a similar state and was also given medical attention.
A search warrant was obtained, and police found evidence ‘consistent with the markings’ found on the children and arrested Franke and Hilderbrandt.
Four children were subsequently taken into the custody of child protection services, police say.
Franke’s YouTube channel ‘8 Passengers’ chronicling her family life was launched in 2015 and ended after seven years.
She and partner Kevin were heavily criticised for parenting decisions including banning her eldest son from his bedroom, forcing him to sleep on a bean bag for seven months, and sending their younger son to a behavioural wilderness camp.
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The parents were also accused of withholding meals as a disciplinary measure and of emotional abuse after telling their two youngest children they would not be receiving Christmas presents.
Concerned subscribers launched an online petition calling for an intervention from child protection services, reportedly prompting a worker to visit the family home and speak with the children individually.
Franke’s eldest daughter has cut ties with her parents admitting after the arrest she was ‘so glad justice is being served’.
‘We’ve been trying to tell police and CPS for years about this, and so glad they finally decided to step up,’ she reportedly wrote on social media.
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The mother-of-six has been charged with six counts of child abuse.
