Current:Home > NewsLawyer for Influencer Ruby Franke's Husband Denies Involvement in Alleged Child Abuse Case -Zenith Profit Hub
Lawyer for Influencer Ruby Franke's Husband Denies Involvement in Alleged Child Abuse Case
View
Date:2025-04-15 02:17:25
After Ruby Franke was charged with six felony counts of child abuse, her husband is speaking out.
Kevin Franke, via his lawyer Randy Kester, claimed he and his wife—who was arrested Aug. 30 alongside business partner Jodi Hildebrandt—have been living apart for 13 months and defended parenting his and Ruby's six kids.
"He is a good person, he's very gentle," Randy shared on Good Morning America Sept. 6. "He's a very gentle guy. And no one has ever made any allegations that he's physically abused those kids or anyone else."
Randy also shared that in the light of the influencer's arrest, Kevin's priority is their children. "He just wants to do what's best for his kids," he shared, "get them back, get them under his tutelage and his fathership and protect them."
Additionally, Kevin, according to his lawyer, is "distraught" over how the allegations are affecting his family.
E! has attempted to reach legal representation for both Ruby and Jodi for comment but has been unable to find contact information and previous attempts to reach the two directly have been unsuccessful.
Ruby, 41, and Jodi, 54, have each been charged with six counts of felony child abuse by the Washington County Attorney in Utah, per legal documents obtained by E! News. Each count carries a prison sentence of up to 15 years and a fine of up to $10,000.
According to a probable cause affidavit obtained by NBC News, the two women were arrested after Ruby's 12-year-old son was found by law enforcement climbing out of a window of Jodi's home. He was emaciated, with open wounds and duct tape on his wrists and ankles, according to an Aug. 31 press release shared by the Santa Clara-Ivins Public Safety Department. The release also noted he went to a neighbor's home for help, "asking for food and water."
Ruby's 10-year-old daughter was then found at Jodi's home in a similarly malnourished condition, per the affidavit, with officials saying the children were taken to a local hospital for treatment. In addition to the 12 and 10-year-old, 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 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 joint statement shared to their respective 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."
For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News AppveryGood! (3981)
Related
- Federal hiring is about to get the Trump treatment
- Bills' Josh Allen has funny reaction to being voted biggest trash-talking QB
- US economic growth for last quarter is revised up to a solid 3% annual rate
- Week 1 college football predictions: Our expert picks for every Top 25 game
- The city of Chicago is ordered to pay nearly $80M for a police chase that killed a 10
- Jenna Dewan and Channing Tatum’s Daughter Everly Steps Up to 6th Grade in Rare Photo
- Attorney for white homeowner who shot Ralph Yarl says his client needs a psychological evaluation
- Mississippi sheriff sets new security after escaped inmate was captured in Chicago
- NHL in ASL returns, delivering American Sign Language analysis for Deaf community at Winter Classic
- The US Appetite for Electricity Grew Massively in the First Half of 2024, and Solar Power Rose to the Occasion
Ranking
- US wholesale inflation accelerated in November in sign that some price pressures remain elevated
- Cowboys to sign running back Dalvin Cook to one-year contract, per reports
- Small plane makes emergency landing on highway, then is hit by a vehicle
- 1 person taken to a hospital after turbulence forces Cancun-to-Chicago flight to land in Tennessee
- What to know about Tuesday’s US House primaries to replace Matt Gaetz and Mike Waltz
- Is job growth just slowing from post-pandemic highs? Or headed for a crash?
- Paralympics in prime time: Athletes see progress but still a long way to go
- One Tech Tip: How to get the most life out of your device
Recommendation
Selena Gomez's "Weird Uncles" Steve Martin and Martin Short React to Her Engagement
Raise from Tennessee makes Danny White the highest-paid athletic director at public school
The US Appetite for Electricity Grew Massively in the First Half of 2024, and Solar Power Rose to the Occasion
Will Nvidia be worth more than Apple by 2030?
DeepSeek: Did a little known Chinese startup cause a 'Sputnik moment' for AI?
Ohio regulators: Marijuana sellers can’t give out food from ice cream truck
New Mexico looking for a new state Public Education Department secretary for K-12 schools
Maryland awards contract for Francis Scott Key Bridge rebuild after deadly collapse