A neighbour called the police after Franke’s son showed up on his doorstep.
Trigger Warning: This article contains discussions of child abuse that may be distressing to some readers.
Ruby Franke, a former YouTuber who once shared family-focused content, and her associate, Jodi Hildebrandt, were arrested after an alarming incident involving Franke’s 12-year-old son. The child managed to escape from Hildebrandt’s house and sought help from a neighbor—a desperate act that ultimately exposed the horrific abuse he endured.
A Cry for Help from a 12-Year-Old Boy
The chilling sequence of events began when the emaciated boy, visibly injured and with duct tape around his wrists and ankles, appeared at a neighbor’s doorstep. Hungry, thirsty, and terrified, the child knocked on doors, pleading for assistance. A neighbor who answered his call for help immediately contacted 911, describing the boy’s dire condition.
The caller’s description revealed the gravity of the situation: “He’s emaciated, he’s got tape around his legs, he’s hungry and he’s thirsty.”
Franke, alongside Hildebrandt, was later convicted of multiple counts of aggravated child abuse. Franke admitted to horrifying acts, including holding her son’s head underwater, restricting his breathing by covering his mouth and nose, and physically assaulting him by kicking him while wearing boots.
The abuse extended beyond this incident. Franke also forced her infant son to work outdoors in the scorching Utah summer with minimal food and water. The other children in the household faced similar mistreatment from Franke and Hildebrandt.
The 911 Transcript: A Harrowing Call for Help
The neighbor’s 911 call offers a heartbreaking glimpse into the horrors the child endured. Below is the transcript of the call:
911: “911, the address of your emergency and the phone number you’re calling from? Tell me exactly what’s happened.”
CALLER: “I just had a 12-year-old boy show up here at my front door asking for help and he’s said he had just came from a neighbour’s house, and we know there’s been problems at this neighbour’s house. He’s emaciated, he’s got tape around his legs, he’s hungry and he’s thirsty.”
911: “Ok. Is he, is your door locked?”
CALLER: “No, I’m sitting outside with him on the, on the front patio.”
911: “Ok.”
CALLER: “He asked us to call the police. What’s your last name? He’s very afraid. He’s 12 years old. Yes”
911: “Ok, and can you ask him his date of birth?”
CALLER: “Can you tell me your birthday?”
911: “Ok, and, is, are the neighbours out of their home or is anybody looking for them that you can see?”
CALLER: “No, we, our home’s far enough away. I’m not sure. How did you get out of the house? He says he just left through the porch at the neighbour’s house. Her name is Jodi Hildebrandt and she lives two doors up the street.
(A voice can be heard in the background telling the caller to say the homes are far apart)
CALLER: “Yeah, the houses are far apart. So he walked just under a block to get to our house. He rang my doorbell and asked me to call the police.”
911: “Does he seem to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol?”
CALLER: “I don’t think so, but he’s very thirsty and uh…”
911: “And do you need an ambulance?”
CALLER: “I don’t think he needs an ambulance, I’ll let the cops decide that. But his ankles are taped up and he won’t tell us why.”
911: “Ok.”
CALLER: “He has duct tape around each ankle. Yeah, there’s sores around him. I think there’s a good chance he’s been, oh, and he has them around his ankles. I mean, his wrist as well. Ok this boy has been… he needs…”
(The caller struggles to speak at this point as his voice becomes emotional)
CALLER: “This kid has obviously been, I think he’s been, he’s been detained. He’s been, he’s obviously covered in wounds.”
911: “Ok. Let’s get the paramedics headed over that way.”
CALLER: “Oh, that’s a good idea too.”
911: “Has he told you where his mom or dad are?”
CALLER: “Haven’t asked him that. Do you know where your mommy is?”
(A boy can be heard speaking)
CALLER: “Yeah I’m sure that that doesn’t matter, son. Do you know where your mom and dad are?”
CHILD: “Well, actually I don’t know where my mom is but I do know where my dad is. He’s not (indistinct) here.”
CALLER: “He doesn’t seem to, he knows where his mom is.
911: “He doesn’t know where his dad is.”
CALLER: “That’s correct.”
911: “Is his mom home?”
CALLER: “He just says he doesn’t live around here. Is your mom around here, have you seen her lately? He doesn’t know where she is right now.”
911: “Does he know his mom’s name?”
CALLER: “What’s your mom’s name? Ruby Franke? Ruby Franke is his mom’s name.”
Ruby Franke is in prison after pleading guilty to multiple counts of aggravated child abuse against her own kids. (YouTube/moms_of_truth)
911: “Ok. How do you spell the last name?”
(A voice spells out the surname)
CALLER: “F-r-a-n-k-e.”
911: “And does she live in the area?”
CALLER: “No, I’m not sure where she lives. He’s, he’s trying to help us, but he’s…”
911: “Ok, we don’t want to stress him out too much. The officers will go over all these questions with him anyway. I just want to stay on the phone with you until we get some help there, Ok? Can you ask him if any other children were in the home he came from?”
CALLER: “Ok. Was there any other kids up at Jodi’s house? Anybody else? Yeah.”
911: “And they’re, they’re still at this house that, are they tied up as well?”
CALLER: “What’s the deal with, are they being held? Do they have wounds on them as well?”
(The boy answers)
“So they’re, they’re able to walk around the house and everything. He says everything’s fine with them. He says he, what’s happened to him is his fault.”
911: “Oh dear. They’re coming to you as quick as they can. OK.”
CALLER: “Ok, yeah. He’s fine, I got him sitting here and my wife, we got him water and giving him something to eat because he’s really, he’s hungry and he’s here in his stocking feet. So he, he escaped.”
911: “Well, I’m glad that he was able to make it to where he could be safe. They should just be pulling up now, let me know when they’re with you, ok?”
CALLER: “Will do. I hear a car but they’re not coming on the driveway.”
(There is a pause and noises in the background)
Caller: “You did good, enjoy that banana, ok? You did the right thing.”
911: “He just (indistinct) a few seconds ago, he might be waiting for his partner, I’m not sure.”
Caller: “Is Jodi up there right now?”
(The boy answers)
“Ok, Jodi Hildebrandt is up there right now.”
911: “Ok.”
CALLER: “So she may come looking for him here soon but, he’s not obviously. Alright, we need the cops here as soon as possible.”
911: “Ok, let’s see, I’m just asking where he is now.”
CALLER: “Yeah, she’s a, she’s a bad lady. We didn’t realize how bad.”
911: “I’m just asking where he is. Sounds like he’s making a phone call real quick, to a sergeant. He is going to head up.”
CALLER: “Ok, all right. Well, if we have to take him inside the house we will. We’re just sitting outside right now because we have chairs out here and it was convenient.”
911: “That’s Ok. If anything, he’s sitting out down your driveway and keeping an eye on the house. So if that’s where you feel safe, that’s where the child feels safe and let’s just stay where you’re at.”
CALLER: “Yeah, I think we’re doing this. Yes.”
911: “Does he have anything with him?”
CALLER: “No, he’s wearing a long sleeved shirt and shorts and, it’s way too big for him.”
911: “Can you tell me what colour the shirt and-“
CALLER: “Ok, the ambulance is here. So-“
911: “Are they with you?”
CALLER: “No, they’re, they’re just not getting out of the truck.”
911: “Ok then, I’ll go ahead and I’ll let you go then. You did a great job.”
CALLER: “Ok, thank you.”
The caller struggled with emotions during the conversation, describing the boy’s taped ankles and wrists, visible wounds, and extreme malnourishment. The boy admitted to escaping through a porch at Hildebrandt’s house, walking nearly a block barefoot to find help. When asked about other children, he claimed they were “fine,” though he blamed himself for what happened to him—a heartbreaking reflection of the psychological abuse he endured.
Abuse Uncovered
When authorities arrived, they found ample evidence of severe abuse, leading to the arrests of Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt. The investigation revealed Franke’s pattern of physical and emotional abuse inflicted on her children. These revelations came as a shock to many who once followed Franke’s YouTube channel, where she portrayed herself as a devoted mother.
Hildebrandt, Franke’s associate and a Mormon therapist, also played a key role in the abuse. The boy’s escape from her home, along with the courageous neighbor’s swift actions, helped bring both women to justice.
Neighbor’s Courage and Support
The neighbor who found the boy showed immense compassion, providing him with food, water, and reassurance. During the 911 call, the neighbor’s voice cracked with emotion as they described the boy’s condition, saying, “This kid has obviously been… he needs…” before trailing off, overcome by the gravity of the situation. Their quick decision to contact law enforcement likely saved the boy’s life and brought critical attention to the ongoing abuse.
Justice for the Children
Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt were sentenced to prison for their heinous crimes. The court proceedings revealed a pattern of cruel and inhumane treatment that shocked the public. The boy’s courageous escape and the neighbor’s swift actions ensured that the abuse finally came to light, offering hope for justice and a safer future for the children involved.
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone confidentially regarding the welfare of a child, contact the NSPCC at 0808 800 5000 (10 am-8 pm, Monday to Friday). If you are a child seeking advice and support, call Childline for free at 0800 1111, available 24/7.