Mommy Vlogger Ruby Franke Will Spend Up To 60 Years In Prison For Child Abuse

The infamous mommy vlogger Ruby Franke was sentenced to up to 60 years in prison Tuesday, months after pleading guilty to four counts of second-degree child molestation. Utah Judge John J. Walton sentenced Franke to four consecutive prison terms — each of which could require up to 15 years in prison.

Local news outlet reports KUTV that Franke was extremely emotional when given time to speak during the sentencing. (Representatives for Franke did not immediately respond Rolling rockhis request for comment.)

“My charges are fair,” Franke said. “They provide security to my family, accountability to the public. I am humble and willing to serve a prison sentence.”

Franke is best known for her popular family video channel “8 Passengers,” where she documented the process of raising her six children to more than 2 million YouTube subscribers. The page often sparked controversy over Franke's harsh discipline tactics, such as denying her meals, removing bedroom doors, and threatening to throw away her children's favorite items. But last August, Franke and counselor Jodi Hildebrandt made headlines when Franke's 12-year-old son escaped the house and ran to neighbors for help, who told police he had duct tape around his wrist and was injured and emaciated. Franke's 10-year-old daughter was also found emaciated in the home, and both women were arrested and held without bail.

After three months in police custody, Franke signed a plea deal in December, admitting that she knowingly caused and allowed another adult to cause serious harm to two of her children. According to the agreement, Franke's son was kicked, forced to do continuous labor, often bound by his wrists and ankles, held underwater and had his oxygen supply cut off. The bundles damaged his skin and muscles, which were first treated with “homeopathic remedies” and then covered with duct tape before he was handcuffed again.

Franke's daughter was also subjected to forced physical labor and punishments, including running around barefoot outside and working on hot days. Both children were told they were evil and possessed, their punishments were necessary acts of love, and they needed to be treated to repent.

In December, a spokesman for Franke said People the mom vlogger was “misled” and subjected to a “distorted sense of morality, shaped by Mrs. Hildebrandt's influence.” In court Tuesday, Chad and Jennifer Griffiths, Franke's parents, filed a victim impact statement asking the judge to “show mercy” and claiming Franke had been “brainwashed” by Hildebrand's teachings. “For the past four years, I have chosen to follow advice and instructions that have led me into a dark delusion. My distorted version of reality went largely unchecked as I would isolate myself from anyone who questioned me,” Franke told the court.

Hildebrandt was also sentenced in court Tuesday, where she was sentenced to up to 60 years in prison for her role in abusing Franke's children. “Your conduct in this case has been devastating to these children,” Judge Walton said.

The Board of Pardons and Paroles will determine the exact prison terms of Franke and Hildebrandt at a later date. The women each have 30 days to appeal.