Ruby Franke’s estranged husband claimed he was the “resident exorcist” for her business partner Jodi Hildebrandt.
In a newly released interview with the Washington County Attorney’s Office, Kevin Franke, who has since divorced the now-disgraced mommy blogger, said their Utah home turned into a “crazy house” after Hildebrandt moved in with them in 2021.
Jodi moved in with the couple after Kevin and Ruby tried to help her fight “evil spirits” and “cast out the demons.” He claimed that if she went into a “trance,” he would have to give her “blessings” to help.
Kevin claimed that once she was under their roof, strange episodes of flickering lights, loud noises, and floating objects began to take over the house.
‘It was weird and I hated it. I became the resident exorcist, that was the title I came up with – I thought it was funny,” Kevin said in the interview.
Kevin Franke, who has since divorced the now-disgraced mommy blogger, said their Utah home turned into a “crazy house” after Hildebrandt moved in with them in 2021.
Jodi moved in with the couple after Kevin and Ruby tried to help her fight ‘evil spirits’ and ‘cast out the demons’
Ruby (pictured left), 42, was sentenced to 30 years in prison in February for brutally abusing her 12-year-old son and nine-year-old daughter in a ‘concentration camp-like environment’. Jodi (pictured right), 54, was also sentenced to a maximum of 30 years behind bars
Kevin claimed it was his “job” to give Jodie “blessings” when “she fell into a trance and became possessed.”
Ruby, 42, was sentenced to 30 years in prison in February for brutally abusing her 12-year-old son and nine-year-old daughter in a ‘concentration camp-like environment’. Jodi, 54, was also sentenced to a maximum of 30 years behind bars.
The pair became exceptionally close when Kevin said his ex-wife would go upstairs “to check on her” when Jodi had her episodes.
“It started every four hours at night, and then it moved every two hours at night, and then every hour at night,” Kevin said.
‘At one point Ruby said, “You know what, I’m just going to sleep there. And if I need you, I’ll come get you.”
Kevin admitted that even though he thought it was weird that his then-wife was sleeping with Jodi, he went along with it.
“They started sleeping in the same bed,” Kevin said, “and then (Ruby) started having trances and stuff,” he said.
Kevin added that the pair would ‘lock themselves in a room for four or five hours before coming out, with Ruby saying she ‘had an amazing vision’ and ‘I wrote it all down and recorded it’. And: ‘we have a work to do from God.'”
The criminal “Momfluencer” became an internet sensation thanks to her YouTube channel 8 Passengers, where millions of viewers watched her and her then-husband, Kevin Franke, raise and discipline their six children.
Ruby was already a divisive figure in the parent vlogging world. Franke’s parents were criticized online for banning their eldest son from his bedroom for seven months for making fun of his brother.
In other videos, Ruby talked about refusing to bring lunch to a toddler who forgot it at home.
Last year, shocking claims emerged that Ruby, a Mormon, had abused her children for years.
He said it was his ‘job’ to give Jodie ‘blessings’ when ‘she fell into a trance and became possessed’
Released images highlight the extent of Ruby’s abuse and show the two emaciated victims with infected cuts on their legs and duct tape around their arms and feet
Disturbing photos and videos depicting the horrific injuries suffered by Ruby’s abused children, including the moment officers found the children in a closet at her home, were recently released.
Doorbell camera footage captured her son as he escaped torture and alerted a neighbor to their suffering.
Other images highlighted the extent of Ruby’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.
Police also 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.
Photos taken at the scene showed the emaciated children’s fragile bodies covered in cuts, bruises and scars.
Images show the young boy’s hands and feet wrapped in duct tape, as well as infected sores on his feet that are filled with blood and pus as a result of the restraints.
The nine-year-old girl was seen with scratches all over her arms and bruises on her ankle.
The children were subjected to torture, 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 utility room were stocked with food and Ruby’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.’
While the children were denied food, photos emerged of a well-stocked pantry in the house
Child Protective Services took both E and RF, along with two older siblings, into custody after arriving at Ruby’s home to arrest her
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, also named RF, told authorities that Jodi tied him up and used home remedies to treat the wounds he suffered.
Other footage showed the moment police found Ruby’s traumatized daughter, identified by the letter ‘E’, ‘petrified’ in a cupboard after sweeping the house.
A police officer asks the girl if she is okay, but gets no answer as he tries to lure her out of the wardrobe.
The children were later taken to the hospital and family members said they are stable.
Child Protective Services took both E and RF, along with two older siblings, into custody after arriving at Ruby’s home to arrest her.
Ruby and Jodi were both charged with six felony counts of child molestation nearly a week later, before YouTube banned Ruby and removed her channels.