Former YouTube parenting star Ruby Franke, after being sentenced on four counts of child abuse, says she was deceived by a “dark delusion.”
Franke, who plead guilty to aggravated child abuse in December 2023, was sentenced Tuesday to four consecutive sentences of one to 15 years in prison.
“For the past four years, I've chosen to follow counsel and guidance that has led me into a dark delusion,” Franke said while reading a prepared statement. “My distorted version of reality went largely unchecked as I would isolate from anyone who challenged me.
“I was led to believe that this world was an evil place, filled with cops who control, hospitals that injure, government agencies that brainwash, church leaders who lie and lust, husbands who refuse to protect, and children who need abused.
“My choice to believe and behave this paranoia culminated into criminal activity, for which I stand before you today ready to take accountability.”
Franke and her former business partner, Jodi Hildebrandt, both pleaded guilty to four counts of child abuse in December 2023. After her sentencing, Franke denied connections to Hildebrandt:
“Jodi Hildebrandt was never my business partner, nor was I ever employed by her. I have never received wages from her or connections. Jodi was employed as my son's counselor in 2019, and in 2020 I paid her to be my mentor,” Franke said.
