YouTube has taken action against Ruby Franke, a well-known parenting influencer, following her arrest for aggravated child abuse. In accordance with their creator responsibility guidelines, YouTube has terminated two channels linked to Franke and has banned her from creating or owning any new channels.
The Arrest and Allegations
On August 30th, Ruby Franke, known for her YouTube channel “8 Passengers,” was arrested in Utah on two counts of aggravated child abuse. The arrest came after one of Franke’s children, a 12-year-old boy, escaped from a house and sought help from a neighbor, appearing emaciated and with duct tape around his extremities. Police subsequently discovered another malnourished child inside the house. Franke and her business partner, Jodi Hildebrandt, were taken into custody. Franke has since been charged with four additional counts of child abuse, bringing the total to six felony charges.
YouTube’s Response
In light of Franke’s arrest and the serious allegations against her, YouTube has taken decisive action. A spokesperson for the platform confirmed that two channels linked to Franke have been terminated, in line with their creator responsibility guidelines. YouTube has also stated that it will remove any new channels that attempt to re-upload the deleted content. This approach aligns with YouTube’s commitment to maintaining a safe and responsible creator ecosystem.
Impact on Franke’s Online Presence
Franke’s online presence, which once boasted approximately 2.5 million followers on her 8Passengers channel, has been significantly impacted by her arrest and the subsequent deletion of her channels. YouTube’s ban on Franke creating or owning any new channels further restricts her ability to share content on the platform. This development has caused a significant disruption to Franke’s career as a parenting influencer and has left her without a major online platform to engage with her audience.
Franke’s Controversial Parenting Style
Franke’s arrest and the subsequent allegations of child abuse have brought attention to her controversial parenting style. In the past, concerns were raised by viewers regarding the strictness of Franke’s parenting and the well-being of her children. The incident involving her son sleeping on a beanbag for seven months after losing his bedroom sparked particular concern. These controversies led to the discontinuation of the “8 Passengers” family vlog and the launch of a parenting advice podcast called Connexions.
Reactions from Family and the Community
Following Franke’s arrest, her sisters released a joint statement on social media, expressing their belief that justice needed to be served. They revealed that behind the scenes, they had worked to ensure the safety of Franke’s children. Franke’s husband, Kevin, remains married to her and has expressed his focus on keeping their children together under his care. Neighbors in the tight-knit community where Franke lived have also expressed shock and concern, with some reporting previous calls to child protection services regarding the well-being of Franke’s children.
Seeking Justice and Support for Victims of Child Abuse
The arrest of Ruby Franke and the child abuse allegations against her serve as a reminder of the importance of vigilance in protecting children. If you suspect child abuse, it is crucial to report it to the appropriate authorities. The Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline provides a toll-free and confidential service for reporting and seeking help in cases of child abuse.
