A newly released video shows the disturbing moment Ruby Franke’s abused child arrives at a neighbor’s house in chains and asks for help and directions to the police.
Doorbell camera footage shows the emaciated and badly bruised 12-year-old boy cautiously approaching residents of Ivins, Utah, on their porch after escaping his mother’s torture through a window.
Franke, 42, was sentenced to 30 years in prison in February for brutally abusing two of her six children in a ‘concentration camp-like environment’. A month later, crime scene photos, doorbell videos and interrogation tapes were released.
The YouTube mom, who gave parenting advice to her 2.5 million subscribers, subjected her children to horrors including starvation and forcing her son to suffer severe sunburn by working outside for weeks without adequate protection.
Her business partner, Jodi Hildebrandt, a mental health counselor, was also sentenced to 30 years after it was revealed she was involved in the abuse. Franke’s estranged husband, Kevin, had not seen the children in more than a year.
Disgraced YouTube mom blogger Ruby Franki, 42, was sentenced to 30 years in prison in February for brutally abusing two of her own children in a ‘concentration camp-like environment’
Released images highlight the extent of Franke’s abuse, showing the two emaciated victims with infected cuts on their legs and duct tape around their arms and feet
New footage shows the moment the 12-year-old boy manages to escape from Franke’s house and goes to his neighbor’s house for help
The 12-year-old boy in the recently released video had just escaped from Hildebrandt’s home, investigators said.
He is seen ringing his neighbor’s doorbell and walking away because he thinks no one is home – until a neighbor calls him back.
“I was wondering if you could do me two favors,” the boy says politely.
“Well, what are they?” the neighbor responds.
“I’m taking me to the nearest police station,” the boy replies before being asked to take a seat and explain what happened. He also said he needed police for “personal matters.”
The neighbors – a man and a woman – then hand him water and a banana while he calls 911. They are heard telling police that he has duct tape on his feet and sores all over his body.
“Oh, you’re such a good boy,” the woman says to the boy, crouching down to his level and placing her hands on his shoulders.
Images released by the court also highlight the extent of Franke’s abuse, showing the two emaciated victims with infected cuts on their legs, duct tape around their arms and feet and scratches and bruises on their bodies.
Photos highlight the extent of Franke’s abuse, including duct tape wrapped around the young boy’s arms and legs
The two victims had scratches, cuts and bruises all over their bodies
The popular YouTuber was arrested in August along with her business partner Jodi Hildebrandt and charged with six felony counts of child molestation after one of her sons was discovered with open wounds and duct tape on their limbs.
Franke, 42, was sentenced to 30 years in prison in February for brutally abusing two of her six children in a ‘concentration camp-like environment’
Police discovered a cramped safe room in the basement of the property that was locked from the outside, with rope that would be used to tie up the children and adult diapers.
Meanwhile, the officer’s bodycam footage shows the moment police discovered the young girl, alone in a basement in Franke’s home.
“Hi, I’m a police officer,” one says quietly before the other asks if she’s okay. The young girl is scared and doesn’t want to talk, but the officer assures her that everything will be fine.
Another clip shows an EMT trying to make contact with the victim, but telling her she’s “just nervous.”
Video taken from the ambulance shows the 12-year-old boy eating from a bag of nuts while being treated. A cop asks him who tied him up with rope.
‘You have no problem with me. “We’re just trying to figure out what’s going on,” the officer said. “Our main focus right now is you.”
EMT personnel are also seen cleaning the young boy’s cuts that are severely infected.
Photos taken at the scene show the emaciated children’s fragile bodies, covered in cuts, bruises and scars.
Video taken from the ambulance shows the 12-year-old boy eating from a bag of nuts while being treated. A cop asks him who tied him up with rope.
Another clip shows an EMT trying to make contact with the victim, but telling her she’s “just nervous”
Photos show the kitchen and pantry at Franke’s home stocked with food
A nine-year-old girl was seen with scratches on her arms and bruises on her ankle.
The children were tortured, including being tied up with rope, wearing adult diapers and being locked in a small safe room.
They were regularly denied food, water, beds to sleep in, and virtually all forms of entertainment.
Meanwhile, photos show the kitchen and pantry were stocked with food and Franke’s large office was busy making YouTube videos.
The young children were forbidden to socialize with others and were hidden in the house when people came to visit.’
Researchers added that they had to do manual labor outdoors in the extreme summer heat without shoes or socks.
Both children were told they were possessed and the torture was done as a way to help them.
The 12-year-old boy told authorities that Hildebrandt had tied him up and used home remedies to treat the wounds he suffered.
The estate in Utah where the two children were held captive and abused inside
Washington County Chief Deputy Attorney Ryan Shaum said in a written statement that Franke and Hildebrandt’s actions amounted to “some of the worst child abuse” he had seen in nearly three decades of prosecuting.
‘For three months, the two children, aged 9 and 11 to 12, were held in a concentration camp by their mother and her business partner.
After her arrest, Franke broke down while speaking in court, apologizing to her “little girls” and telling the judge she was willing to serve her time.
In court in February, Franke burst into tears as she told Kevin Franke, who was present in the courtroom, that he was the love of her life.
She said, “I’m sorry I have to leave you to finish what we both started together. The end of our marriage is a tragedy and you were wrapped around my heart.”