Records reveal shocking abuse inflicted by Franke and Hildebrandt on Franke’s children, along with disturbing journal entries documenting abuse and religious extremism

In a disturbing revelation, Washington County prosecutors have released a comprehensive set of records detailing the harrowing abuse suffered by Utah parenting influencer Ruby Franke’s children at the hands of Franke and former mental health counsellor Jodi Hildebrandt during the summer of last year.

The records, which include police reports, witness statements, and over 30 body cameras and surveillance videos, shed light on the heinous acts perpetrated against Franke’s young children. Among the released documents is a handwritten journal allegedly maintained by Franke, chronicling a timeline of the children’s abuse and espousing troubling ideologies of religious extremism that purportedly motivated the abuse.

According to prosecutors, the children endured appalling mistreatment, including deprivation of food and water, lack of adequate sleeping arrangements, and gruelling physical labour in extreme weather conditions. Franke’s journal entries suggest a disturbing mindset, with one passage even suggesting a sinister intent to sever the children’s ties to perceived malevolence.

The discovery of the abuse unfolded on August 30, 2023, when Franke’s emaciated 12-year-old son managed to escape from Hildebrandt’s residence in Ivins, seeking help from neighbours. Subsequent investigations revealed Franke’s 10-year-old daughter confined within a bathroom closet, exhibiting signs of severe malnourishment and distress.

Both Franke and Hildebrandt pleaded guilty to four counts of aggravated child abuse in December and were sentenced to at least four years in prison in February. The released records also include phone conversations between the perpetrators discussing their culpability, innocence, and motivations for their crimes.

Authorities noted previous involvement with the Division of Child and Family Services regarding the Franke family, indicating a pattern of concerning behaviour. The children’s emotional abuse extended to a degree where they internalized the belief that they deserved the physical abuse inflicted upon them.

Amidst the revelations, questions arise regarding the influence of religious beliefs on the perpetrators’ actions, although specifics regarding their affiliation remain undisclosed. Franke’s journal entries hint at encounters with individuals associated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but the church has not provided any official statements in response to the released records.

The case has sent shockwaves through the community, prompting reflections on the intersections of faith, parenting, and accountability in ensuring the safety and well-being of vulnerable individuals.