The « 8 Passengers » mother pleaded guilty to four felony counts for abusing and starving two of her children in a deal with prosecutors. She faces sentences of one to 15 years in prison for each count.
A Utah mother of six who gave parenting advice via a once-popular YouTube channel called « 8 Passengers » pleaded guilty Monday to four felony counts of second-degree aggravated child abuse for abusing and starving two of her children and likely faces a prison sentence.
Ruby Franke, wearing gray and white jail clothing, stood and closed her eyes and took a deep breath before pleading guilty to each of the first three charges individually. On the fourth, she fought back some emotion before saying: « With my deepest regret and sorrow for my family and my children, guilty. »
Judge John J. Walton accepted the plea agreement and scheduled sentencing for Feb. 20. The agreement leaves the sentencing up to the judge, her attorney LaMar Winward said.
« There won’t be any argument about whether prison is the appropriate sentence and there’s an agreement about the four counts for running consecutive, » Walton clarified.
« That is correct, » Winward responded.
Franke pleaded not guilty to two other counts, court records said, and was returned to custody after the hearing.
Under Utah law, second-degree aggravated child abuse can be charged if that person knowingly or intentionally inflicts serious physical injury to a child or causes or permits another to inflict serious physical injury to their child. Each charge carries a sentence of one to 15 years in prison.
Winward Law announced in a statement Friday that the alleged abuse occurred while Franke was influenced by a relationship counselor who led her to « a distorted sense of morality.
