YouTuber Ruby Franke — who pleaded guilty to child abuse on Monday — admitted to keeping her son bound with handcuffs and forcing his head underwater.
As part of a plea deal, Franke, 41, admitted to essentially hogtying her son with handcuffs that were tied together as he lay on his stomach. The plea agreement stated that the cuffs damaged his muscles and tissue as they cut through his ankles and wrists, according to The Salt Lake City Tribune
“These injuries were treated with homeopathic remedies and covered with duct tape. Then the bindings were placed on top of the duct tape,” the document also detailed.
READ: SEE IT: ‘8 Passengers’ Vlogger Ruby Franke Pleads Guilty to Child Abuse
Franke admitted to holding her son underwater, smothering him with her hands, and kicking him with boots. The boy was told the abuse “were acts of love.”
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According to The Salt Lake City Tribune, Franke also withheld food and water from her daughter, in addition to injuring her at least twice by forcing her to complete physical tasks. One of those instances involved having the girl work outside barefoot during the summer.
The court documents stated that the girl was told she was “evil and possessed” and that the punishments “were necessary for her to be obedient and to repent.”
On August 30, Franke’s 12-year-old son reportedly went to a neighbor’s home to ask for food and water. That neighbor called police, leading cops to Jodi Hildebrandt’s home where they located a 10-year-old child who was reportedly also malnourished. Hildebrandt is Franke’s business partner who was also criminally charged.
Franke’s two children were staying with Hildebrandt at the time. Hildebrandt directly cared for the children, but police suspect Franke was aware of the abuse as she filmed a YouTube video in Hildebrandt’s basement two days before the August 30 incident.
The Salt Lake City Tribune reported that Franke will testify against Hildebrandt as part of her plea deal. Sentencing is scheduled for February 24.
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