At her sentencing hearing, the mom influencer apologized to her children, adding, “I was so disoriented that I believed dark was light and right was wrong.”

Ruby Franke, a once-popular online mom influencer with millions of followers, has been sentenced to four one- to 15-year terms in prison for child abuse.

Franke pleaded guilty in December to four counts of aggravated abuse against her children. She and her business partner, Jodi Hildebrandt, had each been charged with six counts of felony child abuse in September.

Utah Judge John J. Walton sentenced both to four one- to 15-year terms on Tuesday, but state law limits the maximum aggregate sentence for consecutive terms to 30 years. The Utah Board of Pardons and Parole will determine the length of time they will spend behind bars, NBC News reported.

For years, the 42-year-old mother documented her strict parenting style with her husband Kevin Franke and her six children on her YouTube channel, “8 Passengers.” She and Hildebrandt also doled out parenting advice in videos.

  • Nurse_Robot@lemmy.world
    9·
    4 months ago

    I’m pretty confused by the headline and article. Up to 60 years, but according to Ohio law, a max of 30 years? And the sentences are 1-15 each, so as few as 4 years? Maybe even less with good behavior? Jesus Christ (of latter day saints) that’s a big spread in possible prison time

    • grue@lemmy.worldEnglish
      3·
      4 months ago

      LegalEagle on YouTube has a good video about federal sentencing guidelines that might be helpful. It wouldn’t be the same in state court, but similar principles might apply.