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Franke was arrested after police discovered her emaciated 12-year-old son.
Ruby Franke, the YouTuber and mother of six behind the now-defunct family channel 8 Passengers has been formally charged with six counts of felony child abuse. Per NBC News, each count carries a prison sentence of up to 15 years and a fine of up to $10,000.
Franke’s “emaciated” son discovered by police
Franke was arrested along with her business partner Jodi Hildebrandt last week after police discovered her emaciated 12-year-old son. The boy had escaped Franke’s home through a window and run to a neighbor for help. The Santa Clara-Ivins Public Safety Department said in a press release Thursday that the boy was “emaciated and malnourished, with open wounds and duct tape around the extremities.”
“The condition of the juvenile was so severe that they were seen by Santa Clara-Ivins EMS and transported to a local area hospital,” it continued.
Franke’s 10-year-old daughter was discovered in similarly distressing condition at home, and was immediately taken to the hospital. Her other four children were transferred to the Utah’s Division of Child and Family Services.
Franke’s neighbors had raised concerns about child safety
Franke’s neighbors have reportedly said they’d long been worried about the safety of her children. Franke’s family channel 8 Passengers, which she ran alongside her husband Kevin, drew criticism for its harsh parenting style. Per NBC News, Franke had a tendency to impose her strict views on neighbors as well.
“Everyone is just breathing a collective sigh of relief, because we thought they were going to come out of that house with body bags,” said one local after the police visited Franke’s home.
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