Ruby Franke’s son marks one year since her arrest for child abuse

Chad Franke reflects on the anniversary of his mother Ruby Franke's arrest, marking a year of justice and recovery.

 September 1 marked a significant date for the Franke family, as it was the one-year anniversary of Ruby Franke's arrest for child abuse. The incident unfolded when Franke's emaciated 12-year-old son, Russell, escaped from their residence and sought help from a neighbor, leading to the involvement of the authorities. Captured on a Ring camera, Russell's plea for help exposed the severe conditions under which he and his siblings were living.

The arrest of Ruby Franke and her podcast partner Jodi Hildebrandt, who were both later sentenced to substantial prison terms, marked a turning point for the family. Chad Franke, Ruby’s older son, took to Snapchat to reflect on the anniversary with mixed emotions, labeling the day as "Happy Prisonversary."

Photo:Chad Franke/Snapchat

The case highlighted issues within the Franke household, where a strict and harmful parenting style was enforced, which the authorities later described as systematic abuse under the guise of religious and behavioral correction. The involvement of ConneXion Classrooms, a group founded by Hildebrandt, was also scrutinized, with allegations that it promoted harmful practices under the pretext of mental health counseling and religious teachings.

As the legal proceedings concluded, Ruby Franke expressed remorse for her actions during her sentencing, acknowledging the misguided teachings she had followed. She committed to reevaluating her actions and beliefs while serving her sentence.

The Franke family's ordeal has sparked wider discussions about the influence of extremist beliefs in parenting and the role of social media in masking underlying family issues. The anniversary serves as a reminder of the resilience of the Franke children and the ongoing need for vigilance in child welfare and safety.