Shari Franke, a YouTube personality, has opened up about her mother Ruby Franke’s strange relationship with their family therapist Jodi Hildebrandt in her new memoir, The House of My Mother: A Daughter’s Quest for Freedom.
Ruby and Hildebrandt were arrested and charged with aggravated child abuse in September 2023. Shari claims to have gotten “weird vibes” from the duo’s interactions prior to her mother’s arrest. She recalled finding messages on Ruby’s laptop that suggested a close, possibly intimate relationship between the two.
Shari revealed that Ruby disowned her when she moved out for college and that Hildebrandt first became involved with the Franke family through church in 2019. The YouTube personality noticed Ruby and Hildebrandt spending time together, often with Hildebrandt moving into their home.
The situation took a turn when Ruby stopped posting on her YouTube channel and began appearing on Hildebrandt’s podcast instead. Shortly after, Ruby moved herself and four of her youngest children to Hildebrandt’s Utah home. The neighbor of one of Ruby’s sons called 911 after finding the boy emaciated, leading to both Ruby and Hildebrandt’s arrest.
Both women pleaded guilty to child abuse charges and received prison sentences ranging from 1-15 years. Shari’s memoir sheds light on her complicated relationship with her mother and Hildebrandt, leaving readers wondering about the nature of their bond.
Source: https://people.com/ruby-franke-daughter-shari-mom-strange-relationship-jodi-hildebrandt-romance-8770310