Sister of YouTuber mom arrested for child molestation breaks silence on ‘horrific’ case

8 Passengers’ Ruby Franke has been arrested on child molestation charges and her sisters Bonnie Hoellein and Ellie Mecham have spoken out in the case.

8 passengers The YouTuber Ruby Franke was arrested on Wednesday evening (August 31) together with Jodi Hildebrandt on two counts of serious child abuse. The Washington County Sheriff’s Office confirmed at 9:33 p.m. that they had been taken into custody on charges of intentionally or knowingly aggravated child abuse. writes Fox13 Now.

Ruby Franke’s husband Kevin is focused on “keeping his children together under his fatherly care” but has not commented personally on the arrest. However, her sisters have taken to social media to address the situation.

Ruby Franke’s sisters Bonnie Hoellein and Ellie Mecham open up about their arrest

Hoellein and Mecham are known for their close sisterly bond. They have now posted the same Instagram statement addressing the arrest of Ruby Franke.

“For the past three years, for the sake of her children, we have remained silent on the subject of our sister Ruby Franke,” it says. “Behind the public eye, we did everything we could to keep the children safe.”

• MORE: Ruby Franke’s fortune probed as 9 Passengers’ mother faces child molestation charges

It continued, “It wouldn’t be right for us to continue with regular content without addressing recent events. Once we do that, we will not comment further.”

Hoellein explained this in a YouTube video uploaded on Thursday.

“For the past three years, my sisters and I have really clung to each other and supported each other, and I don’t think any of us could have ever seen that coming,” she said tearfully.

Hoellein continued, “I’m actually feeling a little numb at this point. Ultimately, the only thing we care about is the safety of our nieces and nephews.”

Ruby Franke was arrested after her son fled home

Authorities were reportedly alerted after a 12-year-old boy climbed out of Hildebrandt’s home in Ivins, Utah. He ran to a neighbor’s house and asked for food and water, officials said. The resident found tape on the ankles and wrists of the “severely malnourished” minor and called the police.

According to the Santa Clara-Ivins Public Safety Department press release, the child was described as “emaciated and malnourished, with open wounds and tape around his extremities.”

Franke and Hildebrandt, who regularly contributed to educational videos on ConneXion Coaching, were arrested in connection with this. They were arrested on the same charges.

Officers found another youth in similar condition who was taken to a local hospital for treatment. Four minors were placed in the care of the Utah Division of Child and Family Services.

A court on Thursday ordered both people to be held without bail. The investigations are ongoing.

• READ: Chad Franke’s comments prompted 8 Passengers fans to call child protection services in 2020

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