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Cher Thompson is a Senior Staff Writer at Screen Rant, where she covers everything from explosive reality TV moments to cast interviews about the twists and turns of scripted dramas. With a background in creative writing, marketing, and teaching, Cher knows how to spot both the storytelling genius and the guilty pleasures in pop culture. Her work blends wit with insight, making readers feel like they’re chatting with a friend who just happens to know way too much about TV.
Netflix’s Evil Influencer exposed the deeply troubling real-life case of Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt, and many are wondering what’s conspired since the docuseries came to a close. Franke and Hildebrandt’s partnership felt like it was inevitable when they crossed paths at their Utah church, but as the Netflix docuseries explored, everything was not as it seemed behind closed doors.
Evil Influencer traces the rise and fall of the women, who presented themselves as moral guides while privately operating in ways that shocked audiences and authorities alike. The series focuses on how influence, when paired with control, can become dangerous as it grows over time. While Franke was offering parenting advice on her vlog channel, Hildebrandt was positioned as a professional when it came to relationships and counseling.
Together, Franke and Hildebrandt cultivated a belief system that framed harsh treatment as moral correction. Evil Influencer carefully details how the women’s partnership escalated from online content and counseling sessions into something far more troubling. The docuseries relies on court records, interviews, and reporting to show how their teachings moved from theory into real-world consequences, raising serious concerns. Now, viewers are wondering what happened next.
Jodi Hildebrandt Is Serving Time In A Utah Prison
According to Netflix, Hildebrandt is currently serving a prison sentence in Utah following her guilty plea to multiple counts of aggravated child abuse. Pleading guilty in 2023, Hildebrandt was sentenced to four consecutive terms in early 2024. Each term carries a maximum of 15 years under Utah’s indeterminate sentencing structure, meaning she could be in prison for the rest of her life.
Hildebrandt’s conviction marked a dramatic fall from her former profession. Once a licensed therapist, she used her credentials to lend authority to her teachings, which prosecutors later argued contributed directly to the abuse that occurred. At sentencing, the court emphasized the severity of the harm and the breach of trust involved. While parole eligibility exists under Utah law, Hildebrandt will remain incarcerated for the foreseeable future
Ruby Franke Was Sentenced To Jail Time Of Her Own
Franke also received a prison sentence after pleading guilty to four counts of aggravated child abuse stemming from the same case. Like Hildebrandt, Franke was sentenced in February 2024 to four consecutive terms of one to fifteen years, with the total time served to be determined by Utah’s parole system. The sentencing confirmed that Franke would face real legal consequences for her actions.
Ultimately, Franke acknowledged responsibility for her actions, which was highlighted in Evil Influencer’s examination of her accountability. Once known as a family-friendly YouTube personality, her curated image collapsed as details of the case emerged and her actions were put on display for the public to see. The sentencing underscored how online fame and clean parenting content offered no protection from criminal liability.
The Franke Family Is Hopeful About Moving Forward
In the aftermath of the case, members of the Franke family have expressed a desire to focus on healing and rebuilding. After the release of Netflix's Evil Influencer, the Franke’s relatives have been upfront about protecting the children’s privacy and ensuring they receive appropriate care and support. Evil Influencer makes it clear that the legal outcomes, while important, are only one part of a much longer recovery process.
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