(NewsNation) — A new Netflix documentary provides deeper insight into the depths of depravity of convicted child abusers Jodi Hildebrandt and Ruby Franke.
The streaming platform’s “Evil Influencer: The Jodi Hildebrandt Story” delves into Hildebrandt’s background, with producers interviewing authorities and former therapy clients of Hildebrandt.
She is currently serving a four-to-30-year sentence handed down in 2024 for aggravated child abuse. Hildebrandt did not appear in the documentary. Hildebrandt was the business partner of Franke, a former YouTube creator also convicted of aggravated child abuse, with whom she also had a romantic relationship.
While Franke and two of her children were staying with Hildebrandt, her neighbors called 911 after Franke’s 12-year-old son climbed a window and ran to their house to ask for food and water.
The child had duct tape on his ankle as well as lacerations from being tied up with rope. When police went to Hildebrandt’s home, they found Franke’s 10-year-old daughter, who was described as being malnourished.
According to diary entries in the documentary, Franke and Hildebrandt had worse plans. One in particular details a land purchase made by Hildebrandt of several acres of remote property in Utah.
“Escalation of the kids is not manageable here,” Franke’s entry said. “They will think they got what they wanted, they will relax, then pop! We will drop them like hot potatoes in the desert.”
Franke’s and Hildebrandt’s plea agreement documents detailed instances where the children were forced to work outside in the summer heat without shoes and remain out there at all hours of the day and night. This resulted in “repeated and serious” sunburns where the children’s skin would blister and peel, the plea agreement said.
The 12- and 10-year-old were denied food and water, according to the documents, and both were told they were “evil” and “possessed” and needed to repent.
Investigators say that when Hildebrandt caught sight of police coming to the home and quickly hid the evidence.