– Influencer Ruby Franke has been charged with six felony counts of child abuse, and her husband Kevin Franke, through his lawyer Randy Kester, has spoken out, claiming he and Ruby have been living apart for over a year.
– Ruby and her business partner Jodi Hildebrandt were arrested after Ruby’s 12-year-old son was found climbing out of a window of Jodi’s home, appearing emaciated and with duct tape on his wrists and ankles.
– Ruby’s 10-year-old daughter was also found in a malnourished condition, and all of Ruby’s minor children have been taken into the care of Utah’s Division of Child and Family Services. Ruby’s three sisters have expressed their support for her arrest.
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So, Ruby Franke’s in hot water. Charged with six felony counts of child abuse, no less. Her husband, he’s speaking out.
Kevin Franke, that’s his name. Through his lawyer, Randy Kester, he’s making claims. Claims that he and his wife, who was arrested on August 30 with her business partner Jodi Hildebrandt, have been living apart for over a year. He’s defending his parenting of their six kids.
Randy, the lawyer, he’s been talking. On Good Morning America, he said, “He is a good person, he’s very gentle. He’s a very gentle guy. And no one has ever made any allegations that he’s physically abused those kids or anyone else.”
In the wake of Ruby’s arrest, Kevin’s got his priorities straight. His kids. “He just wants to do what’s best for his kids,” Randy shared, “get them back, get them under his tutelage and his fathership and protect them.”
Kevin, he’s “distraught” about these allegations. How they’re affecting his family.
E! has tried to reach Ruby and Jodi’s legal representation for comment. No luck. No contact information. Previous attempts to reach them directly? Unsuccessful.
Now, Ruby and Jodi, they’re facing serious charges. Six counts of felony child abuse each, filed by the Washington County Attorney in Utah. Each count could mean up to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
NBC News got hold of a probable cause affidavit. It says the two women were arrested after Ruby’s 12-year-old son was found climbing out of a window of Jodi’s home. The boy was emaciated, with open wounds and duct tape on his wrists and ankles. He went to a neighbor’s home for help, “asking for food and water.”
Ruby’s 10-year-old daughter was found in a similar condition at Jodi’s home. The children were taken to a local hospital for treatment. Ruby’s other two minor children still living at home were taken into the care of Utah’s Division of Child and Family Services. She also has two adult children, who no longer live with her.
Ruby’s three sisters, Ellie Mecham, Bonnie Hoellein, and Julie Deru, they’ve spoken out. They’ve shared a statement in support of her arrest.
“For the last 3 years we have kept quiet on the subject of Ruby Franke for the sake of her children,” they wrote in a joint statement shared to their Instagram accounts on Aug. 31. “Behind the public scene, we have done everything to try and make sure the kids were safe. We wouldn’t feel right about moving forward with regular content without addressing the most recent events. Once we do, we will not be commenting on it any further.”
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