Current:Home > ScamsYouTuber Ruby Franke Denies Doing "Naughty Things" in Jail Phone Call to Husband Kevin Franke -Aspire Capital Guides
YouTuber Ruby Franke Denies Doing "Naughty Things" in Jail Phone Call to Husband Kevin Franke
View
Date:2025-04-18 18:44:33
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! (9)
Related
- Warm inflation data keep S&P 500, Dow, Nasdaq under wraps before Fed meeting next week
- Iowa deputies cleared in fatal shooting of man armed with pellet gun
- DeSantis booed at vigil for Jacksonville shooting victims
- U.S. fines American Airlines for dozens of long tarmac delays
- Paula Abdul settles lawsuit with former 'So You Think You Can Dance' co
- Millie Bobby Brown Recalls Quickly Realizing Fiancé Jake Bongiovi Was the One
- Haiti police probe killings of parishioners who were led by a pastor into gang territory
- Do your portfolio results differ from what the investment fund reports? This could be why.
- What to watch: O Jolie night
- Florida Gulf Coast drivers warned of contaminated gas as Tropical Storm Idalia bears down
Ranking
- Megan Fox's ex Brian Austin Green tells Machine Gun Kelly to 'grow up'
- Alabama presses effort to execute inmate by having him breathe pure nitrogen. And the inmate agrees.
- 'Hannah Montana' actor Mitchel Musso arrested on charges of public intoxication, theft
- France’s education minister bans long robes in classrooms. They’re worn mainly by Muslims
- Selena Gomez's "Weird Uncles" Steve Martin and Martin Short React to Her Engagement
- Taylor Swift Jokes About Kanye West Interruption During Eras Tour
- Get to know U-KNOW: TVXQ member talks solo album, 20th debut anniversary and more
- ACLU sues over Indiana law blocking gender-affirming surgery for inmates
Recommendation
McConnell absent from Senate on Thursday as he recovers from fall in Capitol
Nasty Gal End-of-Season Sale: Shop 25 Under $50 Everyday Essentials
Michigan man linked to extremist group gets year in prison for gun crimes
The 34 Most Popular Amazon Items E! Readers Bought This Month
How to watch new prequel series 'Dexter: Original Sin': Premiere date, cast, streaming
Joe the Plumber, who questioned Obama’s tax policies during the 2008 campaign, has died at 49
Nikki Garcia and Artem Chigvintsev Celebrate First Wedding Anniversary in the Sweetest Way
Shakira to receive Video Vanguard Award, perform at MTV VMAs for first time in 17 years