BELOW SUPERNAV drop zone ⇩

YouTube co-host Jodi Hildebrandt’s niece: Police ‘did nothing’ after reported abuse

  • Jodi Hildebrandt pleaded guilty to four counts of felony child abuse
  • Niece's allegations: 'I was duct-taped and starved, emotionally isolated'
  • Niece: 'Jodi had everyone wrapped around her finger'

MAIN AREA TOP drop zone ⇩

MAIN AREA TOP drop zone ⇩

ovp test

mLife Diagnostics LLC: Oral Fluid Drug Testing

Male shot by female at Shreveport apartment

Class to create biodiverse backyard

Rules for outbursts at Caddo School Board Meeting

(NewsNation) — The niece of former YouTube content creator Ruby Franke’s business partner Jodi Hildebrandt says they, too, were abused by Hildebrandt.

Jessi Hildebrandt, who uses they/them pronouns, detailed the accusations against their aunt Wednesday on “Elizabeth Vargas Reports.” Jodi Hildebrandt pleaded guilty to four counts of felony child abuse Wednesday in a case involving Franke.

Jessi alleged that Jodi physically, emotionally and spiritually abused them. Jessi claimed Jodi had an “obsession with confession” and that because Jessi was “getting worse, emotionally,” Jodi worked to “force the sin out.”

“Because of the culture that already exists within the Mormon church, she (Jodi) took advantage. I was duct-taped and starved, emotionally isolated and tortured,” Jessi said. “Forced to sleep outside in the snow. Telling my family that it was because she was afraid that I was going to murder her in her sleep, telling me that Satan was working through me. And all the while I believed what she was telling me.”

Jessi said they went to the police to report the alleged abuse, but nothing was done.

“This is not just a specific thing to her (Jodi). Utah culture is permeated with Mormon culture, and this idea of covering up and believing authority. Jodi had everyone wrapped around her finger.”

In court last Monday, Franke pleaded guilty to four counts of second-degree felony aggravated child abuse. Two of the initial counts were dropped as part of her plea agreement as well.

Jessi said that four counts is “nothing” compared to what they believe Jodi deserved.

Jodi Hildebrandt and Franke are accused of abusing Franke’s children. Franke ran a YouTube channel titled “8 Passengers” in which she documented her parenting style, which some likened to abuse.

The pair were arrested earlier this year after one of Franke’s children escaped Hildebrandt’s home and sought help from a neighbor.

Elizabeth Vargas Reports

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed

 

MAIN AREA MIDDLE drop zone ⇩

Trending on NewsNation

AUTO TEST CUSTOM HTML 20241119133138

AUTO TEST CUSTOM HTML 20241202111905

MAIN AREA BOTTOM drop zone ⇩

tt

KC Chiefs parade shooting: 1 dead, 21 shot including 9 kids | Morning in America

Witness of Chiefs parade shooting describes suspect | Banfield

Kansas City Chiefs parade shooting: Mom of 2 dead, over 20 shot | Banfield

WWE star Ashley Massaro 'threatened' by board to keep quiet about alleged rape: Friend | Banfield

Friend of WWE star: Ashley Massaro 'spent hours' sobbing after alleged rape | Banfield

Partly Cloudy

la

52°F Partly Cloudy Feels like 52°
Wind
0 mph NW
Humidity
84%
Sunrise
Sunset

Tonight

Partly cloudy this evening, then becoming foggy and damp after midnight. Low 49F. Winds light and variable.
49°F Partly cloudy this evening, then becoming foggy and damp after midnight. Low 49F. Winds light and variable.
Wind
1 mph NE
Precip
4%
Sunset
Moon Phase
Waxing Crescent