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19th December 2023
09:30am GMT
Ruby Franke, former family advice blogger, has pleaded guilty to four counts of child abuse.
The former YouTube star was arrested and charged with aggravated child abuse in September.
Franke had a major online following where she documented her life as a mother, as well as sharing parenting advice.
However, the mother was allegedly abusing her children for years.
According to the Santa Clara-Ivins Public Safety Department, the influencers children were severely malnourished.
They also had "deep lacerations from being tied up with rope".
Her son alerted authorities after he managed to escape their family home and seek help from their neighbours.
Her six children were taken into care following the harrowing discovery.
Appearing in court this week, Franke pleaded guilty to all four counts of aggravated child abuse.
As she pleaded guilty, she told the court: "With my deepest regret and sorrow for my family and my children, guilty."
Franke's lawyer LaMar Winward claims she was heavily influenced by her friend and business partner, Jodi Hildebrandt.
Her lawyer said Hildebrandt led Franke to a "distorted sense of morality".
Hildebrandt allegedly isolated Franke from her family and her husband, Kevin Franke.
Her lawyer said Hildebrandt offered "a path to continual improvement" but "twisted it into something heinous".
Hildebrandt will appear before the court on December 27th.
Hildebrandt has also been banned from seeing patients until the case ends.
The judge has accepted Franke's plea agreement and will sentence the former YouTube star on February 20th.
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