Why Ruby Franke’s sisters ‘kept silent’ about alleged abuse for years

Ruby Franke’s sisters have spoken out following the mum’s arrest for child abuse, admitting they had ‘kept quiet’ about her for years.

Taking to social media on Thursday, Ellie Mecham, Bonnie Hoellein and Julie Deru wrote that they had chosen to keep a low profile on the subject “for the sake of” their nieces and nephews – Shari, Chad, Abby, Julie, Russell and Eve.

“For the past three years, we have been silent about our sister Ruby Franke for the sake of her children,” the trio wrote in a joint statement a day after the known Utah mom was arrested. for his YouTube channel “8 Passengers”. .

“Behind the public scene, we did everything we could to try to keep the children safe,” the siblings continued. “We wouldn’t feel good moving forward with regular content without addressing the most recent happenings.”

They concluded, “Ruby was arrested, which was bound to happen. [Her business partner] Jodie [Hildebrandt] was arrested, which was bound to happen. The children are now safe, which is the number one priority.

Franke was taken into custody Wednesday on suspicion of two counts of aggravated child abuse. Hildebrandt was also arrested that day under the same suspicions.

Ruby’s ex-daughter Shari also posted a photo on her Instagram Story of the police outside her mother’s home, writing, “Finally.”

She later claimed that she and her family members were “happy” that her mother had been abducted.

For more Page Six you love..

“Today was a great day. My family and I are very happy that justice has been served,” Shari wrote. “We have been trying to talk to the police and the CPS for years and [are] I’m so glad they finally decided to step up.

While Shari stressed that “the children are safe”, the 20-year-old acknowledged that there was “a long way to go”.

Four Franke children remain in the custody of the Ministry of Children and Family Services.

Ruby’s husband, Kevin Franke, is making sure their six children are his No. 1 priority, his attorney told Page Six on Thursday.

Attorney Randy S. Kester said his client’s “urgent goal is simply to keep his children together in his paternal custody.”

In Utah, aggravated child abuse includes starvation, broken bones, head injuries from hitting or shaking, and suffocation. If intentionally inflicted, the perpetrator faces up to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

Ruby, who will be held without bond in the Washington County Jail, refused to speak to authorities and asked for an attorney.

She was arrested after one of her “emaciated” children ran off to a neighbor’s house asking for food and water with duct tape around their wrists and ankles.