SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) — On Monday, two YouTubers accused of child abuse will appear in court in St. George, Utah.
It’s the latest step in the high-profile case involving Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt, who were arrested August 31 and charged with aggravated child abuse.
The big question will be whether the women will be allowed out on bail, and one legal expert tells KUTV 2News that will determine in a big way how this case moves forward.
“It’s possible” Franke and Hildebrandt will get out on bail, defense attorney and former prosecutor Nathan Evershed said, but it’s also tough to predict.
Evershed said a judge will weigh whether the women are at risk of fleeing, and whether they pose a risk to the community.
Prosecutors say two of Franke’s children were found malnourished, with visible wounds from being tied up.
A public safety assessment recommends Franke – of YouTube’s “8 Passengers” fame – be released from jail with conditions. There was no assessment filed for Hildebrandt, her business partner.
“If they are detained still, look for this case to move more quickly through the court process,” said Evershed. “If they’re not detained, but they’re allowed on bail, it’s going to probably be a little bit more of a delay.”
Evershed said the court on Monday could set a preliminary hearing to determine whether there’s probable cause for the case to proceed. Or, he added, prosecutors may need more time to gather evidence.
Either way, Evershed said this case has certainly captured people’s attention.
“There is no case that is as strong or as heart-wrenching as one involving children,” he said.
Separately, there’s also a child welfare hearing scheduled in Utah County on Monday morning for Ruby Franke and her husband. That hearing will take place in juvenile court.
KUTV 2News will have complete coverage of both hearings on air and online.
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