Behind the Scenes: The Downfall of a Utah Therapist

Wealth from ConneXions

Jodi Hildebrandt, a Utah-based therapist, lived a life of luxury before her arrest for child abuse. Her wealth came from ConneXions, a faith-based counseling program she founded. The program offered sessions on marriage, parenting, and life advice, mostly to fellow Mormons.

Financial Discrepancies

• During a search of Hildebrandt’s home, detectives found a duffel bag with around $80,000 in cash.
• A book in her office listed about 46 clients she met weekly.
• Clients shared that they faced financial struggles while attending her courses.
• One client mentioned paying $175 per hour for individual sessions and $75 per week for group sessions, totaling around $2,000.
• Another client revealed they paid more than their mortgage monthly to Hildebrandt, leading to significant debt.

Friendship with Ruby Franke

• Hildebrandt’s friendship with YouTuber Ruby Franke began in 2019 through their church.
• Franke and her then-husband attended ConneXions classes to improve their marriage, which eventually ended.
• The two women started living together with Franke’s children until their arrest.

Arrest and Charges

• In 2023, Hildebrandt and Franke were charged with six counts of child abuse.
• The arrest followed a report from Franke’s 12-year-old son, who escaped their home malnourished and with duct tape on his ankles and wrists.

Legal Outcomes

• Both women pleaded guilty to four counts of child abuse.
• Franke admitted to torturing her children and agreed to testify against Hildebrandt.
• Hildebrandt received a sentence of 4 to 30 years in prison.

Current Status

• Hildebrandt is currently serving her sentence at the Utah State Correctional Facility.
• Her counseling license was revoked, and YouTube banned both women, deleting their associated channels.

Media Attention

• The case gained media attention, inspiring:
• A Lifetime movie
• A Hulu docuseries
• An Investigation Discovery series
• Despite her claims of innocence, Hildebrandt’s actions have left a lasting impact on her victims and the community.