Jodi Hildebrandt, a licensed therapist and business partner of Ruby Franke, played a pivotal role in a high-profile child abuse case that shocked many. This post explores Hildebrandt’s background, her involvement with Franke, and the events leading to their convictions.
Background
Born on June 15, 1969, Jodi Hildebrandt began her counseling career in 2005. In 2007, she founded ConneXions, a counseling business in Orem, Utah. However, her professional conduct came into question in 2012 when she was disciplined for disclosing confidential client information to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Brigham Young University. This breach led to an 18-month probation of her counseling license.
Collaboration with Ruby Franke
Hildebrandt’s association with Ruby Franke, a family vlogger known for the “8 Passengers” YouTube channel, began as a professional relationship and evolved into a close partnership. Together, they launched the ConneXions YouTube channel in 2022 and created the “Moms of Truth” Instagram account, offering parenting classes. Hildebrandt’s influence on Franke’s parenting methods grew, especially after she moved into the Franke household in 2022 following Ruby’s separation from her husband, Kevin Franke.
The Abuse Case
The situation took a dire turn in August 2023 when Ruby Franke’s 12-year-old son escaped from Hildebrandt’s home in Ivins, Utah. The boy, found emaciated with open wounds and duct tape on his extremities, sought help from a neighbor. Authorities discovered another malnourished child, Franke’s 10-year-old daughter, at the residence. Both children were hospitalized, and subsequent investigations revealed severe abuse, including starvation and physical restraints.
Legal Proceedings
Following their arrests, both Hildebrandt and Franke faced multiple charges of aggravated child abuse. In December 2023, Hildebrandt pleaded guilty to four counts and was sentenced in February 2024 to four consecutive terms of one to 15 years in prison, with a potential maximum of 30 years under Utah law. She also surrendered her counseling license amid the legal proceedings.
Media Coverage
The case garnered significant media attention, leading to the release of the Hulu docuseries “Devil in the Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke” on February 27, 2025. The series delves into the events leading up to the arrests and features interviews with family members and others involved.
Conclusion
Jodi Hildebrandt’s involvement in the Ruby Franke child abuse case underscores the profound impact that trusted individuals can have on families. This case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and the need for safeguards to protect vulnerable individuals from abuse.