How can a person, seemingly under the radar of authority, inflict such egregious harm on the vulnerable for an extended period? This is the question that echoes through a recent episode of "Hidden Killers" with Tony Brueski. Psychotherapist and author, Shavaun Scott, dives deep into the chilling accounts surrounding Jodi Hildebrandt, revealing a tapestry of trauma, manipulation, and institutional oversight.

 

 Jesse Hildebrandt, Jodi's niece, recently recounted her harrowing experiences on Nightline. "She would lock me up in a room... make me write out my sins on paper," she disclosed, further narrating how she was forced to sleep outside in the snow and was restrained with duct tape. But Jesse isn't the lone voice echoing these sentiments. Similar tales, stemming from the children of Ruby Franke, also paint a bleak portrait of Jodi's long standing modus operandi.

 

 Brueski, perplexed by the depth of these allegations, inquired, "How does this... exist, I guess is the question, with no oversight?" For many, the answer seems as elusive as it is chilling. Shavaun Scott's insights on the matter are unequivocal: "The lady is crazy and abusive and inappropriate." This dire assessment leaves many to ponder how the state's licensing board in Utah let Jodi's malevolent practices persist for so long.

 

 Intriguingly, the conversation soon steers toward a controversial nexus - religion. The Latter-day Saint (LDS) church, which once endorsed Jodi, becomes a topic of debate. While Brueski clarified that the intent isn't to denigrate LDS, he raises a poignant question: Can an institution's reputation cloud judgment when allegations emerge? Scott concurs, theorizing that the affirmation from the Mormon faith may have inadvertently empowered Jodi, allowing her to carry on with her unsettling approach, particularly as it meshed with certain conservative views on sexuality.

 

 But Jodi isn't the only character under scrutiny. Kevin Franke, associated with Jodi and Ruby, finds himself at the center of a complex web of relationships and actions. "It's hard, quite frankly, looking at Kevin Franke," states Brueski, baffled by Franke's purported detachment from his children and the inexplicable passivity to the unfolding drama. Franke's seemingly bizarre behavior — from limited contact with his children to accusations against his own daughter — further thickens the plot.

 

 As more details emerge, a larger question looms: who truly is the victim? While Kevin's attorney posits him as one, the narratives from those harmed and the documented evidence may suggest otherwise. Scott provides a clear analysis, stating, "Ruby is not right. Jodi is not right. And I don't think Kevin is quite right either."

 

 In the end, the intricate web spun by Jodi Hildebrandt, Ruby Franke, Kevin Franke, and their intersections with institutional faith expose the fragile balances within societal structures. The alarming ease with which harmful practices can persist, shielded by faith or organizational affiliations, stands as a testament to the need for vigilant oversight and reflection.

 

 In the face of such profound revelations, one is left pondering: In a world where protection should be paramount, how can so many cries go unheard for so long?

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