Franke and Hildebrandt to Face Parole Hearings in 2026
The Utah Board of Pardons and Parole set a new December 2026 date for the hearings of Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt.
Updated on Oct. 23, 2026 in Criminal Justice
Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt are scheduled for parole hearings on December 7, 2026. The proceedings will take place at the Utah State Correctional Facility following a scheduling review.
Why it matters
The hearings follow the pair's February 2024 sentencing for severe abuse charges. Moving the dates to late 2026 reflects the board's administrative scheduling process regarding their incarceration.
Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt were each convicted of four counts of second-degree felony aggravated child abuse. Each charge carries a potential prison sentence of 1 to 15 years.
The players
Ruby Franke
She is a former social media personality who was convicted on felony child abuse charges.
Jodi Hildebrandt
She is a mental health counselor who was convicted alongside Franke on felony child abuse charges.
Utah Board of Pardons and Parole
This is the state agency responsible for determining whether inmates are released from custody before completing their full sentences.
The details
The hearings are set to commence at 9 a.m. at the Utah State Correctional Facility courtroom. This follows the initial sentencing in February 2024 that resulted from the convictions on four counts of second-degree felony aggravated child abuse.
Timeline
February 2024: Franke and Hildebrandt were sentenced.
September 2024: The hearings were originally planned for this month.
December 7, 2026: The parole hearings are now scheduled to take place.
Legal Context
These parole proceedings operate within the parameters set by the Utah sentencing guidelines for second-degree felony aggravated child abuse. The case highlights the state's judicial process for reviewing long-term felony sentences through the Board of Pardons and Parole.
The hearing process remains an administrative procedure conducted within the Utah State Correctional Facility. Residents can monitor public updates from the Utah Board of Pardons and Parole for information regarding hearing outcomes.
The takeaway
Parole hearings serve as a critical check in the state's penal system by evaluating the eligibility of inmates for supervised release. These updates provide clarity on the timeline for high-profile cases currently managed by the state board.
What happens next
The parole hearings for both Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt are officially scheduled to occur on December 7, 2026.
Further reading
For more information on state sentencing and review processes, visit Criminal Justice.
