The case of Utah-based parenting bloggers Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt, who are accused of child abuse, has shocked the nation. The two women were arrested on August 30 after authorities received a 911 call from a concerned neighbor about a 12-year-old boy asking for help.
911 call reveals shock of Utah mommy bloggers' alleged child abuse: 'She's a bad lady' – https://t.co/WBJLZuTmM4 pic.twitter.com/2u9ZvIvT2W
— news (@newsallone1) September 9, 2023
According to the call, the child had duct tape around his legs and he was obviously malnourished. He told them that he had come from his mother’s neighbor’s house—Hildebrandt’s home in Ivins—and asked them to call the police as he was terrified.
“I just had a 12-year-old boy show up here at my front door asking for help, and he said he just came from a neighbor’s house, and we know there’s been problems at this neighbor’s house,” a man says in a 911 call reported by Fox News Digital. “He’s emaciated. He’s got tape around his legs. He’s hungry, and he’s thirsty.
911 call reveals shock of Utah mommy bloggers' alleged child abuse: 'She's a bad lady' https://t.co/0j1WlqsPSR
“Both women are in custody at the Washington County Jail in Hurricane, Utah.”
— JL Rader ✝️ God is my Shield (@JL_Patriot1) September 9, 2023
Upon arriving at Hildebrandt’s house, law enforcement discovered another one of Franke’s malnourished children. Both victims were taken to the hospital for treatment where they were placed on medical hold due to their deep lacerations from being tied up with rope and their severe malnutrition. Police rescued a total of six children from Hildebrandt’s Washington County home and requested that both Franke and Hildebrandt be held without bail.
Franke refused to speak with police upon her arrest, requesting a lawyer instead. In addition, an affidavit shows that she was aware of her two children’s abuse, malnourishment, and neglect at Hildebrandt’s house since she had been seen in a YouTube video filmed in Jodi Hildebrandt’s downstairs only two days prior to their arrest.
Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt were arrested Aug. 30, and both were charged with six counts of child abuse. https://t.co/wduD01VDEB
— FOX 5 DC (@fox5dc) September 10, 2023
This heartbreaking case is yet another reminder of how essential it is for us all to look out for one another’s safety–especially when it comes to our most vulnerable members: our children. We must also report any signs or suspicions we might have regarding possible cases of child abuse or neglect so these issues can be addressed quickly before more harm can be done.