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ST. GEORGE — The dad of children who had food and water withheld from them and were physically tortured asked the court to stop one of the two women who admitted to the abuse from selling the home where the abuse occurred.
Kevin Franke asked the 5th District Court to order Jodi Nan Hildebrandt to give restitution, or money given to victims of criminal cases, to his two children in a motion filed on Friday.
Hildebrandt, 54, a business partner to Kevin Franke's wife Ruby, pleaded guilty on Dec. 27 to four counts of child abuse, a second-degree felony. She admitted to forcing a boy to remain outside at all hours of the day, resulting in sunburns, regularly binding the boy's hands and feet, and forcing a girl to jump into a cactus multiple times.
Ruby Franke, who previously ran the "8 Passengers" YouTube channel with over 2.3 million subscribers, pleaded guilty to the same charges as Hildebrandt on Dec. 18.
One of Franke's children escaped through a window at Hildebrandt's home in August and asked a neighbor for food and water, according to charging documents. The child appeared to have been trapped in the home for some time, the documents said.
In a plea statement, Hildebrandt said they tried to convince the boy that he was evil, and the punishments were necessary for him to repent and were an act of love.
In the motion, Kevin Franke said Hildebrandt's admission of child abuse established that two of his children suffered both physical and psychological abuse. He said the children have received medical care and are continuing to receive mental health treatment.
The motion said it is clear the children suffered irreparable harm because of the abuse by Hildebrandt and will require long-term care.
Kevin Franke said once the juvenile court matter is resolved, which is expected to be in September, the costs of this care would need to come from him and his children.
"This would be a completely inequitable result; that the victims and the victims' family would have to pay for their own treatment for injuries caused by (Hildebrandt)," the motion said.
Kevin Franke said the cost of this ongoing treatment could be established before Hildebrandt is sentenced on Feb. 20, when restitution is typically requested.
He asked the judge to immediately prevent any liquidation or transfer of Hildebrandt's assets so the resources to fund the restitution would be available. The motion said Hildebrandt's home was listed for sale on Jan. 4 for $5.1 million.
Kevin Franke argued that it is obvious Hildebrandt is trying to get rid of or conceal her resources. He said his children should be entitled to a share of the profit from the home to pay for their long-term professional care.
He filed for a divorce from Ruby Franke on Nov. 29.
