Current:Home > MarketsLawyer for Influencer Ruby Franke's Husband Denies Involvement in Alleged Child Abuse Case -AssetBase
Lawyer for Influencer Ruby Franke's Husband Denies Involvement in Alleged Child Abuse Case
Benjamin Ashford View
Date:2025-04-10 19:20:11
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! (79469)
Related
- Head of the Federal Aviation Administration to resign, allowing Trump to pick his successor
- Isaac Hayes' family demands Trump stop using his song at rallies, $3M in fees
- The timeline of how the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, unfolded, according to a federal report
- Elle King Explains Why Rob Schneider Was a Toxic Dad
- Federal Spending Freeze Could Have Widespread Impact on Environment, Emergency Management
- Joey Logano, Denny Hamlin livid with Austin Dillon after final-lap mayhem at Richmond
- Police in Athens, Georgia shoot and kill suspect after report he was waving a gun
- A’ja Wilson, US women hold off France to win eighth straight Olympic basketball gold medal
- Hackers hit Rhode Island benefits system in major cyberattack. Personal data could be released soon
- Social Security's 2025 COLA will be announced in less than 2 months. Expect bad news
Ranking
- SFO's new sensory room helps neurodivergent travelers fight flying jitters
- Some states still feeling lingering effects of Debby
- Should postgame handshake be banned in kids' sports? No, it should be celebrated.
- Chiefs WR Marquise Brown ‘will miss some time’ after dislocating a clavicle in 26-13 loss at Jaguars
- Selena Gomez engaged to Benny Blanco after 1 year together: 'Forever begins now'
- Sabrina Carpenter Narrowly Avoids Being Hit by Firework During San Francisco Concert
- Britney Spears and Megan Fox are not alone: Shoplifting is more common than you think
- Isaac Hayes' family demands Trump stop using his song at rallies, $3M in fees
Recommendation
John Galliano out at Maison Margiela, capping year of fashion designer musical chairs
Who is Yseult? French singer steals hearts to cap off Paris Olympics closing ceremony
Families of Brazilian plane crash victims gather in Sao Paulo as French experts join investigation
Early Harris-Walz rallies feature big crowds, talk of ‘joy’ and unsolicited GOP counterprogramming
Person accused of accosting Rep. Nancy Mace at Capitol pleads not guilty to assault charge
Can't get enough of 'The Summer I Turned Pretty' books? Try these romances next
How race, police and mental health collided in America's heartland | The Excerpt
The US Navy’s warship production is in its worst state in 25 years. What’s behind it?