People’s ID Series Investigates Jodi Hildebrandt’s Psychological Manipulation.
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Utah therapist Jodi Hildebrandt, known for helping couples and families build stronger relationships, now finds herself in the spotlight for a darker reason. Hildebrandt is currently in prison after pleading guilty to the abuse of the children belonging to family vlogger Ruby Franke. Franke, Hildebrandt’s business partner, also admitted to the same crimes and is serving time alongside her. The case of Jodi Hildebrandt is the focus of ID’s latest series, “The Curious Case of… Jodi Hildebrandt,” set to premiere on Monday, Feb. 10 at 10/9c, and available for streaming on Max.
The saga began in August 2023 when Franke’s youngest son, a 12-year-old at the time, managed to escape from Hildebrandt’s residence and seek help from a neighbour. This incident led to Hildebrandt’s arrest and subsequent conviction. The upcoming episode of ID’s series delves deeper into the twisted tale of manipulation and abuse orchestrated by Hildebrandt and Franke.
Before her descent into criminal activities, Hildebrandt faced prior controversy in 2012 when her therapist’s license was revoked in Utah due to violating patient confidentiality. The fateful meeting between Hildebrandt and Franke occurred in 2019, when Franke, known for her YouTube channel “8 Passengers”, reached out to Hildebrandt for counselling services.
Franke, along with her then-husband Kevin Franke, attended sessions at ConneXions, an organisation founded by Hildebrandt, before Franke became a co-host on the ConneXions podcast. The relationship between the families took a dark turn when Hildebrandt suggested Franke and Kevin separate, leading to the dissolution of their marriage and Kevin’s subsequent departure from the family home.
The situation escalated in May 2023 when Franke relocated with her youngest children to Hildebrandt’s residence in Ivins, Utah. It was here that authorities uncovered a horrifying tale of torture inflicted upon Franke’s two youngest children. The abuse ranged from using cayenne pepper and honey to treat wounds, to forcing the children to work in extreme heat for extended periods with minimal food and water, and even submerging the youngest son’s head underwater.
Following their arrests in August, both Franke and Hildebrandt pleaded guilty to six counts of felony child abuse later that year. The court handed down separate prison sentences to each, ranging from 1 to 15 years per count, to be served consecutively. The upcoming episode of “The Curious Case of… Jodi Hildebrandt” offers a closer look at the events leading up to the disturbing revelations and subsequent legal actions.
The show serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance and intervention in cases of suspected child abuse. If you suspect any form of child abuse, do not hesitate to reach out to the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or visit www.childhelp.org. Remember, all calls are toll-free and confidential, with language support available round the clock.
As the story unfolds further in court and through investigative reports, the public awaits justice for the innocent victims and accountability for those responsible for the heinous crimes. Stay tuned for the episode premiere on February 10 to delve deeper into the chilling narrative surrounding Jodi Hildebrandt and Ruby Franke.