Current:Home > ScamsLawyer for Influencer Ruby Franke's Husband Denies Involvement in Alleged Child Abuse Case -TrueNorth Finance Path
Lawyer for Influencer Ruby Franke's Husband Denies Involvement in Alleged Child Abuse Case
View
Date:2025-04-16 13:54:02
After Ruby Franke was charged with six felony counts of child abuse, her husband is speaking out.
Kevin Franke, via his lawyer Randy Kester, claimed he and his wife—who was arrested Aug. 30 alongside business partner Jodi Hildebrandt—have been living apart for 13 months and defended parenting his and Ruby's six kids.
"He is a good person, he's very gentle," Randy shared on Good Morning America Sept. 6. "He's a very gentle guy. And no one has ever made any allegations that he's physically abused those kids or anyone else."
Randy also shared that in the light of the influencer's arrest, Kevin's priority is their children. "He just wants to do what's best for his kids," he shared, "get them back, get them under his tutelage and his fathership and protect them."
Additionally, Kevin, according to his lawyer, is "distraught" over how the allegations are affecting his family.
E! has attempted to reach legal representation for both Ruby and Jodi for comment but has been unable to find contact information and previous attempts to reach the two directly have been unsuccessful.
Ruby, 41, and Jodi, 54, have each been charged with six counts of felony child abuse by the Washington County Attorney in Utah, per legal documents obtained by E! News. Each count carries a prison sentence of up to 15 years and a fine of up to $10,000.
According to a probable cause affidavit obtained by NBC News, the two women were arrested after Ruby's 12-year-old son was found by law enforcement climbing out of a window of Jodi's home. He was emaciated, with open wounds and duct tape on his wrists and ankles, according to an Aug. 31 press release shared by the Santa Clara-Ivins Public Safety Department. The release also noted he went to a neighbor's home for help, "asking for food and water."
Ruby's 10-year-old daughter was then found at Jodi's home in a similarly malnourished condition, per the affidavit, with officials saying the children were taken to a local hospital for treatment. In addition to the 12 and 10-year-old, Ruby's other two minor children still living at home were taken into the care of Utah's Division of Child and Family Services. She also has two adult children, who no longer live with her.
Ruby's three sisters Ellie Mecham, Bonnie Hoellein and Julie Deru shared a statement in support of her arrest.
"For the last 3 years we have kept quiet on the subject of Ruby Franke for the sake of her children," they wrote in joint statement shared to their respective Instagram accounts on Aug. 31. "Behind the public scene, we have done everything to try and make sure the kids were safe. We wouldn't feel right about moving forward with regular content without addressing the most recent events. Once we do, we will not be commenting on it any further."
For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News AppveryGood! (4773)
Related
- Megan Fox's ex Brian Austin Green tells Machine Gun Kelly to 'grow up'
- Tito Jackson hospitalized for medical emergency prior to death
- Heat Protectants That Will Save Your Hair From Getting Fried
- NASA plans for launch of Europa Clipper: What to know about craft's search for life
- A South Texas lawmaker’s 15
- Atlantic City mayor, wife indicted for allegedly beating and abusing their teenage daughter
- 'World-changing' impact: Carlsbad Caverns National Park scolds visitor who left Cheetos
- Where These Bachelor Nation Couples Stand Before Golden Bachelorette Joan Vassos' Journey
- Could Bill Belichick, Robert Kraft reunite? Maybe in Pro Football Hall of Fame's 2026 class
- Why Dolly Parton Is Defending the CMAs After Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter Snub
Ranking
- Warm inflation data keep S&P 500, Dow, Nasdaq under wraps before Fed meeting next week
- JD Souther, a singer-songwriter who penned hits for the Eagles and Linda Ronstadt, dies at 78
- How can I resolve a hostile email exchange before it escalates? Ask HR
- Chiefs RB depth chart: How Isiah Pacheco injury, Kareem Hunt signing impacts KC backfield
- Former Syrian official arrested in California who oversaw prison charged with torture
- Bowl projections: Tennessee joins College Football Playoff field, Kansas State moves up
- Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ indictment alleges he used power to build empire of sexual crime
- Inside Jada Pinkett Smith's Life After Sharing All Those Head-Turning Revelations
Recommendation
Apple iOS 18.2: What to know about top features, including Genmoji, AI updates
Tallulah Willis Details Painful Days Amid Dad Bruce Willis' Health Battle
Prosecutors charge 10 with failing to disperse during California protest
RHOC's Emily Simpson Tearfully Confronts Heather Dubrow Over Feeling Singled Out for Her Body
Working Well: When holidays present rude customers, taking breaks and the high road preserve peace
Ringo Starr guides a submarine of singalongs with his All Starr band: Review
Who's that baby hippo on your timeline? Meet the wet, chubby 'lifestyle icon' captivating the internet
Canucks forward Dakota Joshua reveals he had cancerous tumor removed