Ruby Franke, known for her YouTube channel “8 Passenger,” has been sentenced to the maximum prison sentence for four counts of aggravated child abuse in the state of Utah.
The sentence, still subject to determination by the Pardons and Parole Board, might range between 1 and 15 years in prison for each crime, with the possibility of being served consecutively, which would add up to a total of 60 years. However, according to Business Insider, due to Utah laws on consecutive sentences, the sentence would be reduced to a maximum of 30 years, with a minimum of 4 years in prison.
The case dates back to September, when one of Franke’s children escaped from his business partner’s house and asked neighbors for help, which led to the discovery of another minor with signs of malnutrition and marks of having been tied up. . During the trial, Franke admitted to assaulting his son, even drowning him in a barrel of water until he might not breathe.
Franke had come under fire since 2020 for the types of punishments she imposed on her children, including taking away their room and making them sleep on the floor for six months. Although her defense attempted to attribute part of these punishments to her business partner, Jodi Hildebrandt, both were convicted simultaneously of the same crimes.
During his sentencing, Franke apologized and expressed his willingness to serve his prison sentence, acknowledging his actions as unjust and regretting having distorted religious doctrine to raise his children.