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Warning: This article contains discussion of child abuse which some readers may find distressing.
Ruby Franke’s daughter, Shari, has recalled the extremely disturbing confrontation she had with her mother after calling the police on her.
It's been nearly a year since the former parenting YouTuber was given four consecutive one to 15-year sentences for second-degree aggravated child abuse.
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Shari, who is the eldest of Ruby's six children, has since opened up about an argument with her mum before her arrest in her upcoming memoir titled The House of My Mother, A Daughter's Quest for Freedom.
Speaking to PEOPLE about the moment police showed up to arrest Ruby, Shari shared: "My initial thought, is that my siblings are dead."
A year earlier, Ruby had disowned Shari and asked her husband and older son, named Chad, to move out of the family home after meeting with a therapist, Jodi Hildebrandt, who advocated for strict parental discipline.
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Ruby, a devout Mormon, later admitted in a plea agreement to abusing her two youngest children, telling them they were 'evil and possessed'.
She also admitted to denying them food and water, handcuffing her son’s wrists and ankles, and holding his head underwater.
Then, in February of 2024, both Ruby and Jodi received four consecutive sentences of one to 15 years in prison.
Shari has shared an except of her book with the outlet, recalling the day she called up child protective services in the hopes of protecting her younger siblings.
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Explaining that her mum's face 'contorted with anger and hurt', Shari recalled Ruby saying: "I can’t believe you called the police on me.
"After everything I’ve done for you, after all the sacrifices I’ve made. How could you betray me like that, Shari? How could you be so selfish?"
Shari said her mum's words hit her like 'physical blows', adding: "I stood my ground. [I reminded myself] that I wasn’t alone, that I had support beyond the toxic web of my family.
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"'Selfish?' I repeated, finding strength in my voice. 'I was worried about the kids. They were alone for five days, Mom. Five days!'"
Ruby then allegedly snapped back: "They’re fine!
"They’re old enough to take care of themselves. This is about you, Shari. Your jealousy, your need for attention."
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Shari then 'felt a bubble of hysterical laughter rise in [her] throat', writing: "How could she twist this around, make it about me? But then, wasn’t that always her way?
"'This isn’t about me,' I said, my voice steadier than I felt. 'It’s about the safety of my siblings. It’s about doing what’s right'," Shari continued to recall.
Her mum's eyes then 'flashed dangerously' as she hit back: "What’s right? You have no idea what’s right. You’re just a child playing at being an adult. Your siblings are terrified of you now for calling the police on them."
She went on: "One day, Shari, you’ll come crawling back to me. Begging for my forgiveness. And it’ll be hard for me to give it to you, but I’ll be gracious."
"I’m not going to apologise for telling the truth," Shari replied, feeling the 'tears streaming down [her] face, hot and sticky on [her] cheeks'.
"You’ve always hated me," Ruby then allegedly whispered. "Ever since you were five years old, I could see it in your eyes. The way you looked at me, the way you judged me. You’ve never appreciated everything I’ve done for you, all the sacrifices I’ve made."
"That’s not true," Shari choked. "I never hated you, Mum. I was just scared of you."
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence regarding the welfare of a child, contact the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000, 10am-8pm Monday to Friday. If you are a child seeking advice and support, call Childline for free on 0800 1111, 24/7.
Topics: Celebrity, Crime, US News, Parenting, Mental Health
Rhiannon Ingle