Ruby Franke’s ex-husband is suing his business partner Jodi Hildebrandt for causing her “economic and emotional distress.”
Ruby Franke, 42, pleaded guilty in December to four counts of aggravated child abuse and was sentenced in February to up to 30 years in prison.
Jodi Hildebrandt, 54, Franke’s business partner, whom she described as her “mentor,” received the same sentence.
Prosecutors accused the former business partners of starving and abusing Franke’s own children while doling out brutal parenting advice on social media.
Franke’s husband, Kevin, has now filed a lawsuit, claiming that he and his children were victims of alleged emotional distress and neglect at the hands of Hildebrandt.
Kevin Franke, seen here with his ex-wife Ruby, filed a lawsuit claiming he and his children were victims of alleged emotional distress and neglect at the hands of Jodi Hildebrandt.
Jodi began living with the couple after Kevin and Ruby tried to help her fight “evil spirits” and “cast out demons.”
Ruby (pictured left), 42, was sentenced to up to 30 years in prison in February for brutally abusing her 12-year-old son and nine-year-old daughter in a “setting similar to a concentration camp.” Jodi (pictured right), 54, was also sentenced to 30 years in prison.
KUTV reported that Franke’s lawsuit cites “intentional infliction of emotional distress,” “negligent infliction of emotional distress” and “negligence.”
The complaint alleges that Hildebrandt acted without considering the likelihood of causing emotional distress to Franke and each of her children.
It alleges that Franke suffered severe and/or extreme emotional distress caused by his actions.
The lawsuit claims he suffered past and future economic and non-economic damages, pain, emotional distress, loss of quality of life, and loss of enjoyment in life.
Franke seeks judgment on damages, as well as pain and suffering, loss and injury, and all other general damages and attorneys’ fees and costs.
A written statement from Randy Kester, who represents Kevin Franke, on Franke’s behalf, said: “This lawsuit marks an important step in our journey toward seeking justice for me and my children from the abuse inflicted by Ms. Hildebrandt.
‘MS. Hildebrandt used his authority and professional training to cause enormous harm to me, my children, and my family.
“I am committed to doing everything I can to ensure this dangerous woman can never harm another person again and to seek healing and the long-term well-being of my children.”
The complaint alleges that Hildebrandt acted without considering the likelihood of causing emotional distress to Franke and each of her children. Ruby and Kevin are seen here
Child Protective Services took the two children, along with two older siblings, into custody after arriving at Ruby’s home to arrest her.
Defendant Ruby Franke attends court Tuesday, February 20, 2024 in St. George, Utah
Defendant Jodi Hildebrandt attends court Tuesday, February 20, 2024 in St. George, Utah
The couple had employed Hildebrandt as a family therapist in 2021, but she convinced the couple to separate a year later.
Franke became an internet sensation through her YouTube channel 8 Passengers, where viewers watched how she and Kevin raised and disciplined their six children.
But late last year, shocking claims emerged that Franke, a Mormon, had spent years abusing her children.
Franke was arrested alongside her business partner Jodi Hildebrandt and the The couple pleaded guilty in late December.
The first arrests took place in August last year after Franke’s 12-year-old son Russell crawled out a window at Hildebrandt’s house, suffering from malnutrition and with duct tape around his ankles.
A man, who later described the boy as “emaciated,” called 911 while his wife offered Russell water and fruit.
The 12-year-old told police he had tried to run away a month earlier, prompting his own mother to handcuff his wrists and ankles.
After the daring escape, police went back inside in search of the boy’s nine-year-old sister, Eve, who had not been seen for a month.
A neighbor who called 911 described the boy (seen here in Ring doorbell footage) as “emaciated.”
Russell was suffering from severe malnutrition at the time of his escape. He told police that Hildebrandt tied his wrists and ankles with rope before she and her mother “used cayenne pepper and honey to dress the wounds.”
While Russell and Eve were regularly denied food, photos from the crime scene show a well-stocked pantry.
Police found Eve, 9, curled up in a cupboard inside the filthy house and managed to convince her to come out after four agonizing hours.
The malnourished little girl, whose head had been shaved, was found sitting cross-legged in a closet. She was coaxed to safety after a four-hour effort that culminated in officers ordering her a pizza.
Franke, a mother of six, later admitted to forcing the children to work hard for hours in extreme heat with little food and water.
Russell, 12, was severely sunburned after working for several weeks outdoors without proper protection.
While Franke and Hildebrandt routinely withheld food from the children, photos from the crime scene showed a pantry stocked with snacks and canned goods.
Russell and Eve were told they were possessed and that “the punishments were necessary to repent,” according to court documents.
The women “regularly sought to indoctrinate” Russell “and convince him that he was evil,” viewing these abuses as “acts of love.”
The inhumane living conditions came to light when Russell escaped the house in August 2023 and ran to neighbors for help.
While searching the property, police discovered a mixture of cayenne pepper and honey used to bandage the children’s wounds, as well as several rolls of rope.
Russell told police that Hildebrandt tied her wrists and ankles with rope before she and her mother “used cayenne pepper and honey to dress the wounds,” according to documents.
Officers then recovered a container containing the mixture with a dipped spoon inside and a spool of rope next to it.
Hildebrandt, 54, is divorced and separated from her own children. She claimed to specialize in sex addiction, but was reprimanded by the state in 2012 for having an inappropriate relationship with a client.
In the weeks following the couple’s arrest in August 2023, videos circulated in which Ruby happily discussed forcing her son to sleep on a beanbag as punishment and refusing to bring her a school lunch. daughter after forgetting to pack it herself.
Franke and her ex-husband, Kevin, employed Hildebrandt as a family therapist in 2021. But Hildebrandt ultimately convinced the couple to separate a year later.
Franke later deleted his YouTube channel, which at the time had more than 5 million subscribers, before taking on the role of mental health coach at Hildebrandt’s company, ConneXions.
They launched a new YouTube channel under the same name and created a joint Instagram account called Moms of Truth to promote their parenting classes.
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