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Utah Mommy Bloggers Sentenced for Child Abuse

Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt plead guilty to aggravated child abuse, motivated by religious extremism.

  • Utah authorities discovered a 'panic room' in Jodi Hildebrandt's home, where Ruby Franke's children were found malnourished.
  • The abuse included physical labor, food restriction, and emotional harm, justified by extremist religious beliefs.
  • Evidence includes videos of a child's escape for help, Franke's journal detailing the abuse, and jailhouse calls.
  • Franke and Hildebrandt, who ran a parenting YouTube channel, were sentenced to one to fifteen years per count.
  • Public outcry against Franke's parenting practices grew, leading to their arrest and conviction.
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