The Ruby Franke Story” (exclusive)

In the Lifetime movie, which premieres Saturday, October 26 at 8 p.m. ET, Locklear stars as convicted child abuser Jodi Hildebrandt in a dramatic true crime story

Heather Locklear takes on a new personality.

In the exclusive first trailer for the upcoming Lifetime movie titled Mormon Mom Made a Mistake: The Ruby Franke Story, Melrose place The 63-year-old graduate turns life into art by playing the role of Jodi Hildebrandt in a dramatic tale of a true crime story.

“Together, six adorable children, a loving husband, and Ruby Franke (Emilie Ullerup) created 8 Passengers, a web series documenting the group’s daily life and Ruby’s LDS-inspired parenting style,” reads the official synopsis. “According to viewers, Ruby had a perfect life, but everything took a turn for the worse when Ruby’s marriage counselor, Jodi Hildebrandt (Locklear), entered their lives.”

When Jodi moves into Ruby’s house, the two create a “toxic” environment and Ruby’s husband is “forced to move out.” Their definitions of disciplining children were not about “strict parenting” but actually about child abuse.

Life

Heather Locklear in “Mormon Mom Made a Mistake: The Ruby Franke Story”

Related: Timeline of Ruby Franke’s Ups and Downs: From Family Vlogger to Convicted of Child Abuse

The summary continues: “But when Ruby’s 12-year-old son escaped from Ruby and Jodi’s real-life horror house with obvious signs of violence, the truth came to light. How could this beloved mother of six and her spiritual guide turn into a convicted child abuser?”

“Things aren’t perfect between you and me,” Ruby begins in the trailer as the scene cuts to a shot of her expressing emotion to the camera. As the video progresses, Ruby tells her followers that her daughter Eve “forgot lunch today” and as punishment “will have to starve.”

“I’d like to help,” Jodi says, responding to her request. “My counseling has saved many Christian families… The souls of your children are in danger. Together we will make them perfect.”

Related: Family vlogger Ruby Franke appeared ‘in a trance’ when questioned by police: New 20/20 Episode

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“Mormon Mom Wrong: The Ruby Franke Story”

Finally, Ruby tells her husband Kevin that Jodi is “moving in with us.” Things finally came to a head when she announced Jodi’s recommendation that they split up and he “no longer have contact with the children.”

“I have doubts about Jodi’s methods,” Kevin confesses to his friend, who replies, “She uses her faith to brainwash people.”

Despite skeptics, Jodi claims that she is receiving “direction straight from God” and vows to keep the children from “a life of disfigurement” as she plays with the handcuffs.

“Jodi is God’s messenger,” Ruby sighs as scenes of law enforcement and sirens flash on the screen. “I believe in Jodi.”

Related: Chad Franke Marks One Year Since Ruby Franke’s Arrest and Subsequent Child Abuse Conviction: ‘Happy Jail’

MOTHER OF TRUTH/ INSTAGRAM

(L) Jodi Hildebrandt and Ruby Franke

Ruby and Jodi, parenting advice vloggers, were arrested and charged with child abuse in September 2023. The two were arrested when Ruby’s “emaciated” son, Russell, escaped from Hildebrandt’s Utah home and asked a neighbor for a “favor.” In the video captured by Ring’s camera, the juvenile asked, “Could you take me to the nearest police station?”

As PEOPLE previously reported, police found the boy had visible wounds and tape marks on his wrists and ankles, and later at the home, Jodi found Ruby’s 9-year-old daughter, Eve, in a “similar physical condition resulting from malnutrition.”

In December, Franke pleaded guilty to four counts of child abuse. On February 20, Ruby and Jodi were sentenced to terms ranging from 4 to 60 years in prison after four convictions for severe child abuse.

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Mormon Mom Made a Mistake: The Ruby Franke Story Premiering Saturday, October 26 at 8 p.m. ET on Lifetime.

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