How Much Did Mommy Blogger's Husband Know Of Abuse?
When does 'parenting' cross the line into abuse? Tony Brueski, host of the acclaimed podcast "Hidden Killers," delved deep into the twisted narrative of Ruby Frank, a renowned YouTube personality and alleged child abuser. Joined by former FBI Special Agent and Hidden Killers Daily Contributor, Jennifer Coffindaffer, the conversation explored the intersection of social media validation and potential child maltreatment. Ruby Frank, once held in esteem for her tough-love parenting style on her mommy blog, has recently come under scrutiny for extreme disciplinary actions. "Somewhat reminiscent of Lori Dayville," Brueski commented, hinting at the underlying radical beliefs that might be influencing Frank's controversial parenting methods. Discussing the potential influence of her blogging career on her parenting style, Coffindaffer opined, "She has over two million people that are supporting her and supporting what she's talking about. So I think it certainly gave her the sense of empowerment and the sense that she wasn't doing anything wrong." The concerning aspect here isn't just the actions of one individual but the validation by millions. The focus then shifted to an alarming point - the systemic failures of child protective services. "Is the Ruby Frank and Jodi Hildebrandt story another lesson in how broken our system is for child protective services?" Brueski asked. Coffindaffer's response was both empathetic towards the workers in the system and critical of the structure itself. "The system is so broken... the parental rights seem to just overshadow everything that is right," she lamented. The podcast went on to discuss the role of Frank's husband in the alleged abuse, shedding light on the need for a comprehensive inquiry into the children's experiences. The notion that such potential abuse could remain hidden from another parent living in the same house was deemed unlikely by Coffindaffer. "I just think it's gonna take a real deep historical look," she asserted, emphasizing the importance of thoroughly interviewing the kids and gathering any available evidence. Brueski and Coffindaffer's conversation paints a bleak picture, intertwining the allure of internet fame with potential abuses behind closed doors. While the discourse highlights a single case, it brings forward a larger societal issue of discerning the boundary between disciplinary actions and outright abuse. This tale is a stark reminder that online personalities and influencers, despite the façade they might present, are human. Their actions, for better or worse, remain hidden behind the pixels, only surfacing when the screen darkens and real life takes over. As we ponder the implications of this discussion, one must ask: In the age of online validation, who truly watches out for the vulnerable? Want to listen to ALL of our podcasts AD-FREE? Subscribe through APPLE PODCASTS, and try it for three days free: https://tinyurl.com/ycw626tj Follow Our Other Cases: https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com The latest on Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Awaiting Admission: BTK’s Unconfessed Crimes, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Justice for Harmony Montgomery, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com
19 Sep 20235min
How Did CPS MISS The Abuse Of Ruby Franke For Years?
It's a question that has left millions of fans bewildered: How does a prominent YouTube influencer, adored by millions, become a subject of a shocking child abuse investigation? Ruby Frankie, the face behind the popular YouTube channel "8 Passengers," along with her business partner Jody Hildebrandt, have been thrust into the spotlight, and not for their usual content. Their arrest followed a harrowing 911 call by a neighbor after discovering an emaciated 12-year-old boy, his wrists and ankles bound with duct tape, knocking at their door. This dark turn of events, which Tony Brueski of the "Hidden Killers" podcast termed a "chilling revelation," has shaken the social media community to its core. “You know, that was a question I had too, because, as you said, there are so many eyes on this family and they're broadcasting their parenting," Eric Faddis, a former Felony Prosecutor, weighed in on the recent episode of "Hidden Killers." Indeed, their platform was a window into their lives, or at least what they chose to display. But as Tony posited, how did the world go from watching trivial incidents on her YouTube channel, such as Ruby's refusal to bring lunch to her child at school, to hearing about allegations of child abuse, malnutrition, and possible starvation? A few sharp-eyed viewers had already raised concerns about the "8 Passengers" content, deeming some parental choices as potentially harmful. This led to a Change.org petition urging child protective services (CPS) to investigate. The service did step in, but found no grounds to act at the time. Adding more complexity to the narrative, Faddis mentioned the defense called "reasonable parental discipline," which can be employed in child abuse cases. The defense allows parents to justify their actions as their parenting style if they believe it was "reasonable." The line between strict parenting and abuse can sometimes blur, but the events surrounding the Frankies indicate a much more severe scenario. There's also the haunting revelation that one of Ruby's older children, currently in college, had previously alerted CPS about the conditions at home. "Why was this not investigated further when you literally have a child going, 'Hey, my mom's crazy. She's abusing us,'" Brueski lamented. This revelation puts CPS under scrutiny. Critics argue that the organization sometimes fails to act even when confronted with glaring red flags, while others believe it often oversteps its boundaries. Faddis offered a potential solution to the challenges plaguing CPS. "I would strongly push for is evidence-based standards," he shared. Rather than leaving decisions solely to the subjective judgment of caseworkers, introducing concrete, evidence-backed standards on parenting, nutrition, and discipline might lead to more accurate evaluations. It's undeniable that the case of Ruby Frankie and Jody Hildebrandt serves as a stark reminder of the perils that may lurk behind the curated images of social media stardom. While fans grapple with the shocking revelations, it's essential to remember the broader picture. As Brueski and Faddis highlighted, there's an urgent need for reform and introspection in child protection systems. As investigations continue and the full story unfolds, one question remains: How many other cases have gone unnoticed, hidden behind the veil of online fame? Want to listen to ALL of our podcasts AD-FREE? Subscribe through APPLE PODCASTS, and try it for three days free: https://tinyurl.com/ycw626tj Follow Our Other Cases: https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com The latest on Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Awaiting Admission: BTK’s Unconfessed Crimes, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Justice for Harmony Montgomery, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com
19 Sep 20236min
