Kevin Franke said his ex-wife, Ruby Franke, and her business partner, Jodi Hildebrandt, were able to skirt child welfare caseworkers because Hildebrandt had been a licensed therapist, and “knew the Utah child welfare system like the back of her hand.” That included, he said, knowing the loopholes and the system’s limitations.
Kevin Franke says his ex-wife and Jodi Hildebrandt manipulated Utah’s child welfare system, asks for stronger laws
He said his ex-wife and her business partner, Jodi Hildebrandt, were able to skirt caseworkers with Utah’s Division of Child and Family Services because Hildebrandt had been a licensed therapist, and “knew the Utah child welfare system like the back of her hand.” That included, he said, knowing the loopholes and the system’s limitations.
In an August 2023 interview with police, Kevin Franke told officers that he had zero contact with his children while separated from Ruby Franke for over a year. He spoke to police after they had arrested his ex-wife and Hildebrandt, after the Frankes’ 12-year-old emaciated son escaped Hildebrandt’s Ivins home on Aug. 30 and asked a neighbor for help.
But other public records show the Frankes’ adult daughter, Shari Franke, had called police because she was so concerned about the safety of her younger siblings. In September 2022, she asked Springville officers to check on the children, whom she said had been left home alone for five days, to make sure they had enough food “for the extended period.” At the time, police responded and the kids appeared to be home, but no one came to the door, the records state.
Kevin Franke also asked for “emotional abuse” to be better defined in Utah law, and that the laws be strengthened to be more punitive to parents who leave their children at home alone for days at a time. Myrup said DCFS workers will try to gather information from neighbors, friends or other family members — but she said sometimes even that’s not sufficient information to justify a legal intervention.
Kevin Franke Jodi Hildebrandt Dcfs 8 Passengers
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Kevin Franke's full statement to Utah legislators who oversee child, family servicesKevin Franke's full statement to the committee that oversees Utah's Division of Child and Family Services in full
Read more »
Kevin Franke explains his push for DCFS reform following statement to lawmakersThe ex-husband of convicted child abuser Ruby Franke is calling on lawmakers to change how police and the Utah Division of Child and Family Services investigate
Read more »
Kevin Costner trusts exactly one filmmaker with his biggest ideas: Kevin CostnerThe Western juggernaut knows there's only one right man for the job of directing him.
Read more »
Ruby Franke's ex-husband asks lawmakers to reform Utah's child welfare lawsKevin Franke addressed state lawmakers on Tuesday and urged them to close what he said are loopholes in child welfare law that led to two of his children being abused.
Read more »
29 years ago, Iowa news anchor Jodi Huisentruit disappeared and hasn't been heard from sinceThe young TV anchor from Minnesota vanished June 27, 1995 in Mason City, Iowa. Investigators believe someone attacked her as she headed to her car for the early news shift.
Read more »
Who Is Abbi Jacobson’s Wife, Jodi Balfour?There are infinite ways to style a two-bride wedding, but I have to say that I'm particularly partial to Jacobson's decision to pair a black gown with Balfour's more traditional white dress.
Read more »