Parenting YouTuber Ruby Franke pleads guilty to four counts of ...

A former family vlogger who once boasted a 2.5-million-strong following pleads guilty to four felony counts of second-degree aggravated child abuse for abusing and starving two of her children.

Warning: This story contains details which may be distressing for some readers.

Key points:Franke ran the parenting YouTube channel 8 Passengers, which once boasted a 2.5-million-strong followingThe Utah mother and her business partner Jodi Hildebrandt were arrested after Franke's 12-year-old son escaped and asked a neighbour to call policeFranke's lawyers say the alleged abuse occurred while Franke was influenced by Ms Hildebrandt, who was also her relationship counsellor 

Utah woman Ruby Franke, the face of now-defunct YouTube channel 8 Passengers, closed her eyes and took a deep breath before pleading guilty to each of the first three charges on Monday. 

On the fourth, she fought back some emotion before saying: "With my deepest regret and sorrow for my family and my children, guilty."

She plead not guilty to two charges. 

Franke and her business partner Jodi Hildebrandt were arrested in August after Franke's 12-year-old son escaped from Ms Hildebrandt's house and asked a neighbour to call police, according to a 911 call. 

The boy was emaciated and had duct tape around his ankles and wrists but wouldn't say why, the caller reported.

"I think he's been … he's been detained," the caller said, his voice breaking up. "He's obviously covered in wounds."

Franke was charged with six felony counts of aggravated child abuse, and plead not guilty to two of those charges. (Supplied: Moms of Truth)

The boy later told investigators "Jodi" allegedly put the ropes on his ankles and wrists and used cayenne pepper and honey to dress the wounds caused by the ropes, according to a search warrant.

Franke's 10-year-old daughter was also found at Ms Hildebrandt's house, court records said.

Both children were taken to the hospital, and eventually, Franke's four youngest children were taken into state custody.

Counsellor twisted self-improvement into 'something heinous' lawyers allege 

Franke's lawyers say the alleged abuse occurred while Franke was influenced by Ms Hildebrant, who was also her relationship counsellor and podcast co-host.  

"Ruby Franke is a devoted mother and is also a woman committed to constant improvement," Winward Law said in a statement.

They say Franke initially believed Ms Hildebrandt "had the insight to offer a path to continual improvement," but said that Ms Hildebrandt "took advantage of this quest and twisted it into something heinous."

Ms Hildebrandt "systematically isolated Ruby Franke from her extended family, older children, and her husband, Kevin Franke," the statement added. 

Franke's lawyers say the alleged abuse occurred while Franke was influenced by business partner Jodi Hildebrandt. (Supplied: Moms of Truth)

Both women were each charged with six felony counts of aggravated child abuse, and have remained jailed since their arrests.

Under Utah law, second-degree aggravated child abuse carries a sentence of one to 15 years in prison.

Franke's husband, Kevin Franke, has since filed for divorce.

Ms Hildebrandt has agreed not to see patients until the allegations are addressed by state licensing officials.

Her attorney did not immediately return a phone call seeking comment on the allegations made against Ms Hildebrandt by Franke's attorney.

The 8 Passengers vlog had been previously criticised for parenting choices, including banning their oldest son from his bedroom for seven months for pranking his younger brother.

The YouTube channel, which started in 2015, ended after seven years.

AP