Social media influencers fall from grace regularly. Depending on the controversy, some are even canceled for bad behavior. Recently, TikTok star Hannah Hiatt spoke out against allegations that she’s the “next Ruby Franke” amid child abuse speculation.
To recap, “Nurse Hannah” went viral in October 2024 for a TikTok video confessing she had 17 used diapers lying around her home. Some slammed the mom — who has a 2-year-old son, James, and a 2-month-old baby — for perceived laziness while others commended her raw honesty. In a different since-deleted TikTok video, however, users speculated about something darker when they saw Hannah’s toddler son “flinch” during an interaction with his father, Braxton.
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Nurse Hannah Hiatt recently spoke out about the allegations that she's the 'next Ruby Franke.'
In a TikTok video posted on November 30, Hannah addressed the backlash.
“To be compared, right now, to Ruby Franke is absolutely comical,” she said. “It’s hilarious, really. We live in a world nowadays where people will turn nothing into something.”
In February 2024, Franke received four consecutive sentences of one to 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to four counts of aggravated child abuse.
She also insisted her family is “happy” and “healthy.”
Additionally, she suggested that critics are “so desperate to become TikTok famous,” while assuring folks that her family is “happy.”
“They’re healthy, well-nourished,” added of her kids. “They’re running around playing. That should be a pretty good indicator that everything’s just fine.”
In a different video, Hannah addressed claims against her husband, Braxton.
In another TikTok video published on November 29, Hannah refused allegations that her husband is abusive.
“My husband is the sweetest, nicest, kindest, most loving, most nurturing father in the entire world,” she said. “He’s on the ground playing with James like 90 percent of the day.”
Hiatt also noted that James’ reaction in the viral video was likely a response to the father-son’s style of play. As she put it, “They’re always playing where they scare each other.”
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A since-deleted video of her son 'flinching' seemingly prompted the accusations.
Although Hannah deleted the TikTok video in question, social media users widely recirculated it online, with many expressing concern for her son. The clip showed James sitting in a shopping cart at a grocery store as his father approached him with a box of My/Mochi ice cream. As his father handed him the box, the toddler seemingly flinched as if startled while putting his hands near his face.
Social media users have speculated about Hannah’s son’s startled response.
One TikTok user wrote, “That is purely defensive body language. Get this baby somewhere safe.”
“He went to block his face too after the flinch I hope he is ok,” another echoed, while someone else commented, “The way he looks at the dad’s face to verify the threat is telling.”
A different person suggested, “If they’re recording that, imagine what goes on that they’re not recording.”
