"An act of love"

Influencer tormented children, gave parenting tips

With photos like these, Ruby played out a family idyll to her two million followers on Instagram.(Bild: Instagram.com/moms_of_truth)

This case from the USA proves all too well that all that glitters is not always gold on social networks. Ex-influencer Ruby Franke gave highly regarded parenting tips on Instagram and portrayed herself as a true super mum - while abusing two of her six children, making them work hard and starve until one son was finally able to flee "home".

Most so-called influencers on social media use Photshop and filters to successfully deceive their followers in order to present themselves as flawlessly as possible - while also presenting their products and promoting lucrative company collaborations. In short: to make money.

Two million followers deceived
Ruby Franke didn't specialize in make-up or fitness, she pretended to be an idyllic family to her followers. On the outside, the supposed model mom led a perfect life, providing over two million followers with sometimes controversial parenting tips.

Away from the camera, however, which captured children's birthdays, sunny family vacations and other milestones perfectly framed, she starved and abused her two eldest children.

Ruby Franke meekly in court(Bild: Ron Chaffin/St. George News via AP, Pool)

Mother isolated child, made him work
She is said to have "tortured" her son (12) and made him work for hours in the burning heat in summer. He is said to have often not been given any food. Books, electronic devices such as a cell phone and even social contact were taboo for the adolescent.

Ruby is said to have kicked him and held his head under water. A juicy fact: almost two years ago, a user posted under one of the child's photos: "He always has such dark circles under his eyes and looks sad. I don't think the poor boy is happy!"

Child handcuffed
The boy is said to have tried to escape after another attack in the summer, but was unable to do so. Franke then allegedly tied his feet and handcuffed him. According to "BILD", she explained to the child that this was an "act of love". The nine-year-old daughter is said to have experienced similarly bad things, whom the mother considered to be "possessed" and "evil".

After an act of violence in August, the 12-year-old son was finally able to flee to a neighbor. He turned up there emaciated and with tape around his ankles. The man in whom the child confided informed the police. 

Husband filed for divorce
"With my deepest regret and sorrow for my family and my children, guilty," Ruby finally pleaded in court in St. George, Utah, on December 18 in prison garb.

Ruby at a virtual hearing in September(Bild: Utah State Courts via AP, Krone KREATIV)

Her four youngest children are in state custody. Ruby is charged with six counts each of felony child abuse. Her husband has filed for divorce.