Current:Home > reviewsYouTuber Ruby Franke Denies Doing "Naughty Things" in Jail Phone Call to Husband Kevin Franke -Zenith Profit Hub
YouTuber Ruby Franke Denies Doing "Naughty Things" in Jail Phone Call to Husband Kevin Franke
View
Date:2025-04-16 20:56:55
Content warning: This story discusses child abuse.
Prosecutors have shared more insight into Ruby Franke's mindset following her arrest.
The Washington County Attorney's Office in Utah has released a jailhouse conversation between the former YouTuber and her estranged husband Kevin Franke, in which she blamed the devil for her Aug. 30 arrest over child abuse charges.
In the phone call—which took place just two days after Ruby and her business partner Jodi Hildebrandt were taken into custody—Ruby told her husband, "The most upsetting thing is that I am completely misunderstood."
"Satan has taken everything away from me that I love," the 42-year-old said Sept. 1 in the call from Purgatory Correctional Facility. "And I'm a good woman. I don't do naughty things. I don't do naughty things. I'm a really good girl."
The mom of six also told Kevin that she would stay away from their kids if she were acquitted. However, Kevin predicted she would likely have legal restrictions placed on her access to the children until they reached the age of 18.
"I figured such. God told me," she said. "God told me when I was driving before I called you."
"The Spirit said, ‘Your children are gonna be removed,'" she continued. "And I just cried out loud. I'm like, ‘No, I'm not done. I'm not ready.' And God told me I'm done."
Kevin can be heard telling her at that time, "I'm committed to our family. I'm committed to you and our marriage, no matter what happens. I will be here to support you in any way that I can."
He has since filed for divorce from Ruby, with his lawyer saying the pair had been living apart from for more than a year before her arrest.
E! News has reached out to lawyers for Ruby, Kevin and Jodi for comment on the phone call but has not heard back.
Ruby—who ran the 8 Passengers YouTube channel—was sentenced Feb. 20 to four to 30 years in prison after pleading guilty to four counts of aggravated child abuse. Following her sentencing, her lawyer made it clear she had no intention of appealing the sentence.
The family vlogger was originally arrested over aggravated child abuse charges in August when Utah police received a report of a starving child and investigated the allegations, the Santa Clara-Ivins Public Safety Department said in a press release.
Authorities determined the child was in "severe" condition, looked "emaciated and malnourished" and had "open wounds and duct tape around the extremities."
During her hearing, Ruby apologized to her children and husband.
"For the past four years, I've chosen to follow counsel and guidance that has led me into a dark delusion," Ruby said in court, per the livestream on the Utah court's website. "My distorted version of reality went largely unchecked as I would isolate from anyone who challenged me."
"I believed dark was light and right was wrong," she added while addressing her kids. "I would do anything in this world for you. I took from you all that was soft and safe, and good."
For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News AppveryGood! (12)
Related
- Average rate on 30
- North Carolina removes children from a nature therapy program’s care amid a probe of a boy’s death
- When Harry Met Sally Almost Had a Completely Different Ending
- A birthday party for a dying father chronicles childhood before loss in 'Tótem'
- 'Kraven the Hunter' spoilers! Let's dig into that twisty ending, supervillain reveal
- White House confirms intelligence showing Russia developing anti-satellite capability
- Russell Simmons sued for defamation by former Def Jam executive Drew Dixon who accused him of rape
- 5 patients die after oxygen cut off in Gaza hospital seized by Israeli forces, health officials say
- 'Kraven the Hunter' spoilers! Let's dig into that twisty ending, supervillain reveal
- Prosecutors drop domestic violence charge against Boston Bruins’ Milan Lucic
Ranking
- Krispy Kreme offers a free dozen Grinch green doughnuts: When to get the deal
- Deadly shooting locks down a Colorado college
- A birthday party for a dying father chronicles childhood before loss in 'Tótem'
- In the chaos of the Kansas City parade shooting, he’s hit and doesn’t know where his kids are
- 'Squid Game' without subtitles? Duolingo, Netflix encourage fans to learn Korean
- Oregon TV station apologizes after showing racist image during program highlighting good news
- 'Outer Range': Josh Brolin interview teases release date for Season 2 of mystery thriller
- Body of deputy who went missing after making arrest found in Tennessee River
Recommendation
A South Texas lawmaker’s 15
'A Band-aid approach' How harassment of women and Black online gamers goes on unchecked
'Navalny': How to watch the Oscar-winning documentary about the late Putin critic
Taylor Swift donates $100,000 to family of radio DJ killed in Kansas City shooting
Chuck Scarborough signs off: Hoda Kotb, Al Roker tribute legendary New York anchor
5 patients die after oxygen cut off in Gaza hospital seized by Israeli forces, health officials say
Coach Outlet's AI-mazing Spring Campaign Features Lil Nas X, a Virtual Human and Unreal Deals
What's Making Us Happy: A guide to your weekend viewing