this is Kevin Frank the estranged husband of Ruby Frank he is being interrogated by the police after his children were found being held as captives by their mother and her business partner Frank has no idea what is going on and is still in shock over the news but you know I Miranda before we start we're just going to kind of ask you a few questions about your involvement okay so first you have the right to remain silent anything you say can and will be held against you in the court of law okay you have the right to an attorney or to have him or her present while questioning if you cannot afford to hire one one will be aford or um hired to represent you if you decide to answer questions you can stop at anytime okay do you understand your rights uh I do okay do you wish to speak to me now well I want to pick up my kids how about this we're going to ask you some questions and if you don't want to answer them you just say hey man and I'm not going to answer that sure to just say hey I'm not going to talk that's not beneficial to you and then we're done you're nowhere and we're nowhere and sure you understand that right yes okay okay so just for starters what was your full name Kevin William Frankie how SP ke v i n w i l l i a m f r a n k e and what what's a good birthday what's a good address for you uh my well I'm not comfortable giving my address right now okay but you do live in Springville I do how long have you lived in Springville for um I moved there in 2017 with my family so 17 years 17 and how many kids do you have Kevin I have six kids and what are their names I can't remember some of them are teenagers two adults yeah so are they all living with you or no I haven't seen them for over a year any of them no none of them for a year for a year I've been in a separation from who from my wife and family what's your wife's name Ruby Ruby Ruby Frank became a well-known vlogger from her YouTube channel eight passengers she documented the lives of her family earning millions of viewers when her channel Lost popularity she went into business with a friend and therapist jod hilderbrand forming a company called connections the last saw the last time I saw her yeah was um the 18th of of this month we met to she she requested me to sign over vehicles or the titles to the vehicles the vehicle that she drives we're all in my name when's the last time you physically saw um the day that I moved out July 24th 2022 24th of 2022 or July 25th July 25th so it's my understanding that that at least home here in can and Ivans have you been to that home no you've not been to that home no I don't know I don't know what anything that's been going like this is good man like I would love to be able to help you out with this and like I'm seeing the lightel because I'm unaware of your involvement in in what's really going on so for you to say that you're un A Ware of the status of your kids kind of makes I know that sounds kind of crummy to you but it sounds kind of good to me like who lives in that home with your is it ex-wife is it currently a separated wife like who lives in that home with your children to be honest I don't know I I know that she's there with um four of the children and our two older children m out they're they're not at your home in Springville and I'm not trying to trip you up I can see you're hesitant to talk to me I understand that well where where I live no I haven't seen that for over a year okay that's tough I can only imagine how that feels I got kids and did not have seen for that long that that would terrible piece of hard out of age to drive did she drive I don't know okay like I said I don't I know nothing that's going on in their lives or anything going on how did you find out that you needed to come here to 55 North Main Street I received a message that I needed to come pick up my kids from the police department in highs and who was that message from I prefer not to say right now it would just help us a lot I'll try to figure out who reached out to you because it makes sense that that would happen I'm just not aware of anyone who did that from our department right and and I'm not comfortable saying right now who reached out to me okay okay so you haven't seen any of your kids in over a year you said that's correct and then last time you saw her how old is she now 16 she 16 okay and then when all the kids left Ruby took all of them oh yes she stayed in the house and I moved up okay and did you ever try to reach out to the kids drop by the home or was there I honor the no separation boundary that we agreed so was your sep cont excuse me did you have a no contact order in place order no this was between my wife and so what did Ruby ask of you when you separated but did she ask of did she ask you not to contact the kids Ruby invited me to leave the home while I thought about the the choices that I've made in my life and the way that I've treated her okay and so I left Ruby ran the Frank household and made most of the decisions the sedation was her idea as well as the terms and how long had you and Ruby been married before we were married in 2000 so about 22 years when we separated we were going on 22 years okay and during your marriage how was how was disciplining your kids how would you discipline your kids um yeah I'm not going to answer that question okay that's fine during the years before Frank and his wife separated he helped his wife carry out such punishments as withholding food and water Ruby would take their favorite possessions hostage and force the children to buy them back with cash or cash equivalent chores she would sometimes shave the head of one of her daughters who was prone to crying while being punished have you been since separated or since they lived here in the city of Ians um Have you communicated with your wife regarding like discipline with your kids or their care or their physical well-being yeah so she doing this on her own and just telling you how your kids are she's not telling you anything about the kids who's this who's this uh female Jodie that your wife was do you do you know a female named Jodie she is a a therapist and a life coach I know and she's jod hildbrand was Ruby's close friend and business partner she was also a licensed therapist when they decided that Ruby should separate from her husband Ruby moved in with hilderbrandt do you respect her uh do I respect her I think she's a very honest youthful person yes okay you place value on Jody I don't know what that means like do you do you you value what she says and how she treats is your wife a client of hers is your wife a partner of hers is your wife a roommate with her your kids are living in her house is what I'm trying to say I'm not aware of that but I know that they've been in business for the last year filming who's day Ruby and jod fil they film podcasts so every week a podcast goes up and I listen to it what's the name of it connections with an X like c n c o n n e x i o NS yeah and like do you support them in that role in doing that and having do I support them in the business yeah like do you do you support them and think that what they're doing is a good thing or I support their business efforts I think it's a good thing are you involved with their business efforts or no okay so just Ruby and Jody no in the business yeah yes okay and were you involved in the eight passengers account with your family um yes I was in the videos and if that's what you mean I briefly learned about this two hours ago so did Ruby more so do the videos for the family and how long did you guys do that for uh she started the channel in 2015 and as far as as I'm aware the time I left the last video she uploaded was towards the end of 2021 and I but again I'm not aware of anything she's done Ruby's original YouTube Channel quickly became popular but it wasn't long before the viewers began to notice disturbing practices when it came to the way the Frank's discipline their children when one boy mentioned he had not been allowed to sleep in a bed for 7 months people began to demand that child services become involved the channel then lost followers since our separation I don't visit the passengers anymore chapter of your life that's gone it it it's a past chapter yeah so how do you and Ruby communicate just through text fun call through text and if there's anything considered an emergency we agree that we would communicate through a phone call okay and do you know her phone number off the top of your head off the top of my head no okay no worries so how often would you guys communicate while she was down here well I don't know how often or long she was down here we've communicated maybe four times in 2023 since January so are you aware of how she disciplines the kids or how she handles the kids with behavioral issues or anything like that no so you're unaware of how she does that yes okay are you aware of the physical condition of your children no no I'm I've chosen to trust my wife with the children that was part of the agreement of our separation is that you allow her to physically provide for the needs of the child just removed from that Ian you pay support I know this is personal questions but yes my job is to financially provide I was trying to figure out like how how much of a role do you play in the caretaking of specifically of those two kids I I pay the bills okay with my my job I provide the money goes into a shared bank account and that's my only involvement okay um like there's a whole bunch of things I want to talk to you about but I I still can't get over the fact that someone notified you to come here to pick up your kids my guess is was that was that Jody I answer that question okay all all I'll say is well you said you trusted her you said that you think she's not I asked you if you place value on her but you obviously she is an honest I know her to be an honest and a trustworthy individual and so yeah I trust her Frank's judgment is clearly not the best his wife and hilderbrandt carried out the horrible treatment to the children and Frank didn't even question why he wasn't allowed to see them for over a year right now on my patreon you can watch the most jaw-dropping encounter ever captured this intense footage showcases an intense incident involving a man who wielding a leather Katana aggressively charged towards the police what unfolded within that crucial moment is way too intense and explicit for YouTube head over to patreon.com stranger stories plus to access this gripping video and a ton of other patreon exclusive content and U I received a communication that and so I left immediately from myob job and drove down here that's all I know I've come to pick up my kids and to take them home with me do you have there a custodial paperwork that says that you're like a there's there's no custodial paperwork denying you of right correct uh there's no custodial paperwork at all period so the kids are yours they are mine okay yes this wasn't just a verbal agreement between my when we said last year what questions do you have oh I want to know what's going on and why I was asked to come down and pick up my two kids well a lot of that kind of hinges on who asks you because if we had been the one like I'm I'm not going to say you f but I'm I'm confident a cop didn't call you because he wouldn't have wanted you down here at this point in our investigation so having said that I I think it's time we be honest with you right sure no and I didn't lie someone contacted me but I don't want to say from your office okay well I don't recall staying someone from my office our office someone yeah so we don't know who called you so if we knew who called you then we could help you it would make more sense but well I don't know the legal ramifications of implicating individuals who contacted me so without a lawyer here I don't want to answer that question that's okay but you're you want to know specifics of the case which we can't share right now because it's under investigation so I see yeah so we would like to ask questions about where you found out but we respect that if you don't want to share that information but I am curious when you guys had the previous eight passengers YouTube channel you guys got a lot of heat for neglect and child abuse a lot of people commented those things on there why were they commenting those things that's a good question um we uh we had a son who was acting out in very selfish behavior and you know none of this is strange or odd you could get on YouTube find out all sorts of stuff on this it's like a double sword yes the question is what do you believe right there was even an article written in um Newsweek magazine in 2020 on it and or news was it news week no Business Insider where we were interviewed and and we were pretty straightforward and we talked about it we shared our peace in that basically it boils down to he was was being um very cruel and mean to his siblings that he shared a room with and so we removed him from the room and we said you can sleep anywhere you want sleep on the couch sleep on the pull out bed sleep on the floor for all we care but you're not sleeping in that room with your brother who um he chose to sleep on a bean bag so so n months later he had made a lot of changes in his life and he was ready to and we had moved by that time and so we had a new house and he was ready to move into his own bner made a video about it and in the video he mentioned something of the effect of having been sleeping for nine months on a bean bag and that is what all the or was what did you guys do to help like with his behavioral issues is that is that something you and Ruby talked about together is and then did you helping discover yourself and fix behavioral issues and things of that is that is that something you and Ruby sought out to help correct like some of the things yes and okay and I supported it and so together we held boundaries for our to support his choosing honest and responsible choices and when he chose honest and responsible choices consistently is when he began to get his privileges better and that was that that was the upo right and so um but yes um through 2000 with him because I'm honoring the most contact separation boundary with that I agree to with my wife but I understand that he's um 18 living on his own somewhere in Provo and working and supporting himself what other kids went down to visit Jody what other kids yeah did you send any of the other kids down to we didn't send we didn't send down to spend time with Jody they would meet on Zo well even in 2019 we would she would me with so when did Ruby and Jody to your knowledge like decide to collaborate come together and mesh lives that's what it's that's what's happened well the they decided to start a business in 2021 so while you while you and Ruby were together yes okay yeah and but there were you know at that period it was pretty nebulous I I don't know what's that word mean it was it was just a lot of talk and W like solid plans it was let's start by you know doing podcasts together and then that's all I know I know that they published a book together recently you can find on Amazon it's a secret um was business thriving like life was good between those two well not that I was aware well at some point and again I'm not digging into your life but I'm trying to understand this at some point we took kick out when you talk about a business you know thriving in terms of business and money when when we stopped eight passengers on YouTube We Lost 90% of our income so to say that business was thriving u in my perspective no I don't think it ever was after that was that part of your guys's reason for separation after you guys ended eight passengers uh was that part of the reason um the the reasons are because of of ways that I treated my wife and [Music] um and some um of my own addictions that I was working through and seeking help on with um with uh pornography thank you for sharing that and i' yeah I've made some wonderful Pro ress like is that something you came to the realization that you needed help you weren't doing things right or is that something that like Jody helped you guys recognize that maybe Ruby needed more I'm trying to understand her involvement in your guys's life um she's my focus I just be honest I understand and I I can perceive that um Jody and Ruby have a a close relationship and and Jody saw the need for me to get help and um frankly I agree I the space has been exactly what I need to face you know my own um addictions and and receive the support and help that I've needed and so this space has been um very very good for me so when you St that you and Ruby had this no contact that you guys just verbally agreed upon was that an idea given by jie that she recommended you guys have that space and not contact one another I'm not aware of that it the the invitation for me to leave and take space was for my wife but that was while Jody and Ruby were friends and collaborating and doing podcasts and sure well you're the you're the custodial parent of each other I don't see why we can't explain to you what why we're involved so I don't recall the exact time but sometime before 11:00 today we received uh a phone call from 911 on our dispatch that uh a 12 to 13 year-old boy was was knocking on doors in a neighborhood asking for food and water that he was severely emaciated that he had what is emaciated me skinny scrawny malnutritioned not enough food not a flaughter sustain life so he had I'm sorry what he had duct tape on his extremities on his hands on his ankles and those were covering rope burds that were used to tie him down we turn now to the parenting influencer charged with child abuse Ruby Frankie is set to appear in court today and we're now hearing the 911 call that led to her arrest Kaa Whitworth is here with more good morning Kaa hey Rebecca good morning that call was one that an officer I spoke with said gave him the Goosebumps because they had sounded the alarm about a problem in that home last year after several concerning phone calls were made to the Department of Children and Family Services 911 the address s emergency this morning ABC News obtaining the dramatic 911 call that led to the arrest of YouTube influencer Ruby Frankie on child abuse charges tell me exactly what's happened I just had a 12-year-old boy show up here at my front door asking for help and he's uh said he just came from a neighbor's house and he's emaciated he's got tape around his legs he's hungry and he's thirsty a neighbor alerting authorities when police say Ruby's 12-year-old son showed up at their front door pleading for help the boy's condition bringing the neighbor to tears he has duct taped around each ankle yeah there sores around them oh and he has them around his ankles I mean his wrist as well okay this boy has been he kid is obviously been I think he's been he's been detained he's been he's obviously covered in wounds dispatchers sending authorities to the Utah home of Frankie's business partner jod hilderbrand also arrested last week there authorities say they found Frankie's 10-year-old daughter emaciated as well you know there's been problems at this neighbor's house Frankie known for her controversial parenting methods on YouTube I'm not even going to let you eat breakfast until you get your chores done ABC News has obtained records showing police responded to the Frankie's home more than a dozen times over the last few years including reports of juvenile problems in 2018 and Welfare checks in 2022 police saying a judge denied a search warrant to go into the home when you hear that as law enforcement and you know that a year ago efforts were made what's your reaction that's not right it's unfair these children don't deserve that now I'm told that the 10 and 12-year-old had to be taken to the hospital right now DCFS is in charge of their placement along with the other two children who are minors remember they also have two adult children and you guys authorities tell me that one of them indeed made multiple calls to DCFS herself warning about a problem yeah seemed like a lot of this could have been avoided Kana thank you hi everyone George Stephanopoulos here thanks for checking out the ABC News YouTube channel if you'd like to get more video show highlights and watch live event coverage click on the right over here to subscribe to our Channel and don't forget to download the ABC News app for breaking news alerts thanks for watching take a second and think about what I just said that's the condition of your son given that information your son was taking to the hospital a warrant has been applied and granted by the Department of Child and Family Services to remove both from your wife's care so no one right now is going to have access to these two children based on their physical condition do you understand that I understand do you would you condone that behavior but I can D that behavior um that's my job my job is to find out your knowledge of the treatment of these these based on Des no again I don't know the details or I don't know on but as you describe that that sounds horrible horrible disgusting no human beings should be treated like that I yeah okay that's my thoughts but again we might be different on that we're going to let you sit here for a second okay we're going to go out and talk um I'm not saying you're you're still not free to go are you under rest absolutely not we just have lots of questions that we need to figure out Lots okay okay because your children are under medical care right now and what is exactly and it means that you don't have access to my understanding is that they are what is that they're in the custody of DCFS and they will be for the next 7 there's a medical hold on them right now so for at least the next 72 hours based on our understanding at least the next 7 there an observation they're being watched DCFS is going to provide you that information and they can better answer your questions along those lines that's handled through them okay so we'll be back so I want you to think about some things though I don't know I don't know listen to me listen to me I want to think about that for a minute don't have no idea where they're at oh I don't either but um okay we're going to hop out here we'll be back in a minute okay that's still recording audio and video okay so if you would don't make any phone calls sure what's going to happen it's my wife I love my wife I don't know I'm being honest with you charges against my wife possibly I think given the circumstances that's highly appropriate but again I don't know your wife I was hoping to gain some insight from you but I don't necessarily know that that's something you wanted to I trust her the road you wanted to travel down with me so not without legal representation yeah right I get it but I love my life and I trust my life and so I mean this feels like getting run over by a steam truck while you're sharing with me today yeah you can tell you caught off car perhaps if Frank had bothered to stay in contact with his children he wouldn't have been caught off guard on the other hand he had never been able to stand in the way of Ruby's Twisted idea of discipline before and she may have been able to convince him that she was in the right I thought I was just coming here to pick up my kids and for what I don't know what or why but and I was Fally I'm taking them back with me and just I me i' love to have a candid conversation with you I just don't know how it's going to be received by you I don't know you but I can tell you my perception of how this happened well I'm interested look I'm interested in facts but again at the same time I'm I'm I'm interested in all the facts but you understand our fact our facts are that you have a child that is emaciated malnutrition and and has marks I I didn't spend any time with her Sergeant too did did any of you spend time with her I have not she went she was requested to go to the hospital along with based on their condition folks I don't know what to do like I want this you realize that I have a picture of my family on my wall and I look at it every day and I work I work every day so I can get back to my family and save my family everything you're sharing to me just sounds like a madeup story like I I have no idea what you're talking about like it's just it sounds like a horri and I get you're all you're all doing your jobs I get it I understand and this is this my life I just want my kids I just want my kids I just want my family wanting his children won't be enough Frank will have to prove that they won't come to harm under his care I don't know what's going on I don't know why these things that you described happen I I don't know it's almost like I want to say I'm sorry you must have somebody else because it's like am am I in the right conference room here that's what like it's R you know having a hard time accepting this and dealing with this I mean you're telling me you're taking my kids from me we need to transfer the titles of the car to my name you know or um we're going to cancel these credit cards and and stuff like that so just stuff related to the finances really is the our only Communications over the past year sure we we've had zero like zero Communications regarding the kids okay I've had no reason to believe think that there was anything going on for all intents and purposes I woke up this morning looking at the picture of my family and making my commitment today as I do every day that I'm going to live an honest a virtuous and a responsible life today and what you're sharing with me just feels like a sucker punch just imagine Briana you if I still have a family yeah and um like I just um I I don't know what my plan my plan to go to God sure and I figure this out right and um I am just heartb what you all are sharing with me and um it's just I feel like I feel [Music] responsible separating hurts and the I wish I was a better husband I you're all doing your jobs and I know you all have the best interest of my kids at night I appreciate that thank you thanks that means a lot I just want my kids back I want my family back my wife back okay I don't want this to sound rude Kevin we've got some things to do we're not kicking me out but the building's closed you're going to be okay driving home I really am worried about you okay okay do your best breathe gotta pull over the side of the road do you drink red bulls want your water to go k i wanting his children won't be enough Frank will have to prove that they won't come to harm under his care no charges were brought against Kevin Frank Ruby Frank was charged with six counts of aggravated child abuse and she pled guilty to four of the six counts she was sentenced to serve between four and 30 years in prison and that's where we end this video if you like today's video then drop a l and if you want to support the channel even further you can check out my patreon link in the description below thanks for watching I'll see you in the next one