Shivangi Sinha
In August 2023, Jodi Hildebrandt was arrested at her home in Washington County, Utah, on charges of aggravated child abuse involving the children of her business partner, Ruby Franke. At the time, Ruby’s kids had been staying with Hildebrandt, leading to her arrest alongside Ruby. The shocking case gained national attention for the disturbing circumstances surrounding the children’s treatment. ID’s ‘Ruby & Jodi: A Cult of Sin’ and Influence explores the details of the arrests, the abuse allegations, and the toxic dynamics between the two women.
Jodi Hildebrandt Started Her Own Counselling Business After Finishing Her Studies
Jodi Nan Hildebrandt, daughter of Jay and Florence (Haynie) Hildebrandt, was born on January 17, 1968, in Arizona. She spent much of her childhood in Tucson, where she also completed her schooling at Canyon Del Oro High School. Her father was a pilot and she was raised in a deeply religious household. Jodi and her family closely followed the teachings of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which played a central role in her upbringing. In 1996, she earned her bachelor’s degree in English Language and Literature from Brigham Young University. Driven to further her education, Jodi pursued a master’s degree in Educational Psychology at the University of Utah.
By 2005, Jodi Hildebrandt had established herself as a licensed counselor in Utah, where she was living full-time. She initially worked as a Program Director at Cirque Lodge, a well-known treatment facility, before branching out to start her own business venture. She founded ConneXions Classroom in Orem, Utah, which offered both personal relationship guidance and business counseling sessions. For a time, her career appeared to be progressing well. However, in 2012, she faced professional setbacks when her counseling license was reportedly suspended for 18 months after allegations surfaced that she had disclosed personal information about a client between 2008 and 2010. At this time, Jodi was working as the director of LifeStar Utah County, a company that offered treatments for pornography or sex addiction.
Jodi and Ruby Franke Quickly Developed a Close Friendship With Each Other
Jodi Hildebrandt was first introduced to Ruby Franke as her family therapist in 2019, but their professional relationship evolved into a close personal friendship. According to Ruby’s daughter, Shari Franke, the situation was “strange,” especially when Jodi moved into the Franke family home and even into Shari’s bedroom as she prepared to leave for college. Some of her children have alleged that the two women often slept in the same room, but neither of them has addressed these claims. In 2022, Jodi and Ruby expanded their partnership by launching a YouTube channel under the ConneXions name, where they shared content focused on parenting and life lessons.
They also created an Instagram page called Moms of Truth, where they gave strict and often controversial parenting advice. Later that year, following Ruby’s separation from her husband, Kevin Franke, which was reportedly influenced by Jodi’s guidance, Ruby relocated to Utah with her four children and moved into Jodi’s home. In August 2023, the shocking case involving Jodi and Ruby came to light when Ruby’s 12-year-old son escaped from the house and sought help from a neighbor. Authorities soon discovered that Ruby’s two youngest children had been subjected to severe physical abuse while living in Jodi’s home.
Her 10-year-old daughter was also found inside and both children showed clear signs of malnutrition. On August 30, 2023, Jodi was arrested at her residence in Washington County, Utah, and charged with six counts of aggravated child abuse. She surrendered her professional licenses pending the outcome of the case and an internal investigation. In December 2023, Jodi pleaded guilty to four counts of aggravated child abuse. By February 2024, she was sentenced to four consecutive prison terms, each ranging from one to fifteen years.
Jodi Hildebrandt is Incarcerated Today
As of May 10, 2024, the Utah Department of Commerce’s Division of Professional Licensing officially revoked Jodi Hildebrandt’s clinical mental health counseling license, closing the door permanently on her counseling career. In 2023, her YouTube channel with Ruby was already suspended. Despite her incarceration, Jodi has remained entangled in legal battles. In April 2024, Kevin Franke filed a lawsuit against her, accusing her of emotional distress and negligence toward him and his children. The suit detailed allegations that Jodi had forcefully detained his kids in her home, directly contributing to their abuse. The lawsuit further adds that he was removed from his family and intentionally isolated. In January 2025, another lawsuit was filed against her by Michael Tilleman, the husband of one of her former clients, citing misconduct and harm caused through her counseling practices.
Then, in August 2025, Kevin Franke filed an additional suit seeking financial compensation for both economic and emotional damages, reportedly amounting to more than $300,000. Though the exact figure has not been disclosed. At her sentencing, Jodi maintained that she had pleaded guilty to avoid further distress for the children and claimed her intentions were for peace and healing. However, recorded conversations released months later revealed conflicting perspectives: Ruby Franke allegedly expressed relief at no longer hearing from Jodi, while Jodi was allegedly heard suggesting that Ruby’s son had caused his own injuries. Jodi is currently serving her four consecutive prison terms at the Utah State Correctional Facility in Salt Lake City. She will be eligible for her first parole hearing in December 2026. Until then, she remains at the center of ongoing lawsuits and public scrutiny.
Read More: Musa Muhummed: Where is Laura Cowan’s Abuser Now?
