Current:Home > MarketsLawyer for Influencer Ruby Franke's Husband Denies Involvement in Alleged Child Abuse Case -FundPrime
Lawyer for Influencer Ruby Franke's Husband Denies Involvement in Alleged Child Abuse Case
View
Date:2025-04-11 17:37:13
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! (49411)
Related
- House passes bill to add 66 new federal judgeships, but prospects murky after Biden veto threat
- Minimum-wage workers in 22 states will be getting raises on Jan. 1
- Queen Latifah says historic Kennedy Center honor celebrates hip-hop's evolution: It should be embraced more
- Thousands join migrant caravan in Mexico ahead of Secretary of State Blinken’s visit to the capital
- Selena Gomez engaged to Benny Blanco after 1 year together: 'Forever begins now'
- See Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis Steal the Show During Royal Christmas Walk
- Holiday travel is mostly nice, but with some naughty disruptions again on Southwest Airlines
- Is the stock market open on Christmas? See 2023, 2024 holiday schedule
- What to know about Tuesday’s US House primaries to replace Matt Gaetz and Mike Waltz
- Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella discusses the promise and potential perils of AI
Ranking
- Skins Game to make return to Thanksgiving week with a modern look
- Ukraine celebrates Christmas on Dec. 25 for the first time, distancing itself from Russia
- Nursing student who spent $25 for wedding dress worth $6,000 is now engaged
- Migrants cross U.S. border in record numbers, undeterred by Texas' razor wire and Biden's policies
- Woman dies after Singapore family of 3 gets into accident in Taiwan
- 2024 NFL draft first-round order: Patriots' dramatic win vs. Broncos alters order
- How much are your old Pokémon trading cards worth? Values could increase in 2024
- The Climate Treadmill Speeds Up At COP28, But Critics Say It’s Still Not Going Anywhere
Recommendation
Macy's says employee who allegedly hid $150 million in expenses had no major 'impact'
Virtual reality gives a boost to the 'lazy eye'
What's open on Christmas Day 2023? What to know about Walmart, Target, stores, restaurants
Aaron Carter's Team Speaks Out After Death of His Sister Bobbie Jean Carter
Angelina Jolie nearly fainted making Maria Callas movie: 'My body wasn’t strong enough'
AP sports photos of the year capture unforgettable snippets in time from the games we love
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella discusses the promise and potential perils of AI
Sickle cell patient's journey leads to landmark approval of gene-editing treatment