Ruby Franke’s siblings have spoken out about her recent legal troubles surrounding her child abuse case, though they’ve kept their comments limited.
Franke’s three sisters—Ellie Mecham, Julie Griffiths Deru, and Bonnie Hoellein—who have gained a substantial following on social media, released a statement shortly after her arrest. They expressed that “it needed to happen,” indicating their support for the legal actions taken against her.
Her brother, Beau Griffiths, also shared his thoughts in a letter during Franke’s sentencing hearing in February 2024. He mentioned that Ruby had been “brainwashed” by Jodi Hildebrandt, her former therapist and business partner. In his letter, he criticized Hildebrandt’s influence, claiming she discouraged Ruby from making her own choices. He expressed relief that, after being removed from this situation, Ruby recognized her mistakes and was ready to take responsibility.
Concerns about Franke’s treatment of her children emerged as early as 2020, but it wasn’t until August 2023 that she was arrested. This followed a distressing incident in which her 12-year-old son sought help from a neighbor, appearing “emaciated” and “covered in wounds.”
Franke eventually pled guilty to four counts of child abuse and received a sentence of four consecutive 15-year terms. Following her arrest, her husband, Kevin Franke, filed for divorce, and he was granted full custody of their four minor children as part of the divorce agreement.
Ruby Franke comes from a family that includes siblings who are active on social media platforms. Ellie Mecham, Julie Griffiths Deru, and Bonnie Hoellein share insights about parenting and family life with their audiences. Mecham has four children and co-hosted a podcast with her husband, while Griffiths Deru has five kids and is engaged on multiple social media platforms. Hoellein shares her experiences living in an RV with her family.
In recent statements, Ruby’s sisters have emphasized that their primary concern has been the safety of her children. They revealed that they had remained silent to protect the kids and acknowledged the difficult situation they were all in.
Overall, the family has had to navigate the complexities of Ruby’s situation while trying to maintain their own public personas. They have continued to engage with their followers, sharing their lives while addressing the challenges that have arisen from these troubling events.
