Ruby Franke: The parenting influencer jailed for child abuse, where is she now?

Ruby Franke, once a celebrated parenting influencer with a massive following on her YouTube channel “8 Passengers,” experienced a dramatic fall from grace. Ruby became well-known for sharing her family’s daily life, featuring her husband Kevin Franke, and their six children.

Profile summary

Full Name	Ruby Franke
Date of Birth	42 years (as of 2024)
Date of Birth	18 January 1982 (age 42 years)
Place of Birth	Utah, United States
Occupation	Former YouTuber, Parenting Influencer
YouTube Channel	8Passengers (2015-2023)
Spouse	Kevin Franke (Estranged)
Children	Shari, Chad, Abby, Julie, Russell, Eve
Arrest Date	August 30, 2023
Charges	Four counts of aggravated child abuse
Sentence	Up to 30 years in prison

Who is Ruby Franke?

Ruby Franke is a former American parenting influencer and YouTuber who gained fame through her now-defunct channel, 8Passengers. Born in Utah, Ruby became well-known for sharing her family’s daily life, featuring her husband Kevin Franke, and their six children: Shari, Chad, Abby, Julie, Russell, and Eve. The channel amassed over 2 million subscribers, making the Franke family one of the prominent figures in the family vlogging community.

What led to Ruby Franke’s rise to fame?

In 2015, Ruby Franke launched 8Passengers, a YouTube channel that offered viewers a glimpse into her family’s life. The content ranged from homeschooling routines and family dinners to parenting advice based on her Mormon beliefs. Ruby’s strict and authoritative parenting style attracted a significant following, with many viewers appreciating her candid approach to motherhood.

How did controversies surrounding Ruby Franke begin?

Despite her initial popularity, Ruby Franke’s parenting methods soon sparked criticism. Viewers became concerned after witnessing several instances that they perceived as harsh and potentially abusive. Notable controversies included:

• Withholding Food: In one video, Ruby mentioned that her then-6-year-old daughter should go hungry after forgetting her packed lunch for school, stating, “Hopefully nobody gives her food and nobody steps in and gives her a lunch because then she’s not going to learn.”
• Extreme Punishments: Her teenage son Chad revealed he had been sleeping on a beanbag chair for seven months as punishment for pranking his brother.
• Public Humiliation: Ruby often openly discussed her children’s misbehavior and punishments on the channel, which many felt was inappropriate and damaging.

These incidents led to petitions and calls for Child Protective Services to investigate the family.

How Did Ruby Franke’s Parenting Style Change Over Time?

Ruby Franke’s parenting videos were initially filled with everyday family interactions, but they gradually showcased a harsher discipline style. This shift was not well-received, as viewers and critics began to question her methods, especially when her children were punished with measures like food withholding and extreme discipline. Her approach led to widespread criticism and ultimately contributed to legal scrutiny.

When and How Was Ruby Franke Arrested?

On August 30, 2023, Ruby Franke was arrested alongside Jodi Hildebrandt after Franke’s 12-year-old son escaped from Hildebrandt’s home in Ivins, Utah. The boy, emaciated and with visible wounds bound by duct tape, sought help from a neighbor, pleading for food and water. Authorities found Ruby’s 10-year-old daughter in a similar condition inside the home.

Both women were charged with six counts of felony aggravated child abuse. The Washington County Attorney’s Office accused them of causing or permitting serious physical injury to the victims through, multiple physical injuries or torture, starvation, or malnutrition that jeopardized life, causing severe emotional harm.

What was the Role of ConneXions and Jodi Hildebrandt?

After facing backlash on 8Passengers, Ruby Franke collaborated with Jodi Hildebrandt, a licensed therapist, to create a new venture called ConneXions. This platform claimed to offer life coaching and parenting advice but was criticized for promoting authoritarian and controversial teachings. Hildebrandt had previously faced scrutiny from the Utah Clinical Mental Health Counselor Licensing Board, which placed her on an 18-month probation in 2012 for discussing a patient’s confidential information without consent.

Together, Ruby and Jodi emphasized strict obedience and discipline, often under the guise of addressing “distortions” and promoting “truth.” They used ConneXions and an associated Instagram account, Moms of Truth, to disseminate their beliefs, which included, advocating for parents to withhold love and affection as a form of discipline, dismissing children’s rights to privacy, and making discriminatory remarks, including transphobic, racist, and ableist comments.

How did Ruby Franke’s husband respond?

Kevin Franke, Ruby’s husband, distanced himself from the allegations. His attorney stated that Kevin had been living separately from Ruby for over a year before her arrest. He expressed deep concern for his children’s well-being and supported the maximum sentence for Ruby, describing the abuse as “horrific and inhumane.”

Legal Proceedings and sentencing

In December 2023, Ruby Franke pleaded guilty to four counts of aggravated child abuse. During the court proceedings, she admitted to several abusive acts, including binding her son with handcuffs and duct tape, withholding food and necessities, and inflicting physical harm under the pretense of religious teachings.

In February 2024, both Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt were sentenced to up to 30 years in prison—the maximum consecutive term allowed in Utah. The exact length of their imprisonment will be determined by the Utah Board of Pardons and Parole. During sentencing, Ruby tearfully apologized, stating she was under a “dark delusion” and believed “right was wrong.”

Why did authorities and neighbors fail to intervene earlier?

Despite multiple reports and concerns raised by neighbors and viewers, interventions by authorities were unsuccessful until the arrest. Neighbors claimed they had contacted the Utah Division of Child and Family Services multiple times, reporting that the children were left alone for extended periods. However, attempts by officials to reach the children were often thwarted, as they would not open the door or were concealed by Ruby and Jodi.

Shari Franke and other family members expressed frustration over the delayed response, emphasizing that they had been trying to alert authorities for years.

What was revealed in Ruby Franke’s journals?

In October 2024, the Washington County Attorney’s Office released redacted excerpts from Ruby Franke’s journals. The entries provided a disturbing insight into her mindset and the extent of the abuse, including:

• Describing her children as “manipulative” and “possessed.”
• Documenting instances where she forced her son to stand in the sun, poked him with a cactus, and poured hot mop water on him.
• Admitting to cutting her daughter’s hair as punishment and covering her with “dog wash” water.
• Rationalizing the abuse as necessary to “break the bond Satan made” with her children.

Prosecutors stated that Ruby and Jodi’s actions were motivated by extreme religious beliefs and that they genuinely believed their abusive methods were acts of love intended to rid their children of evil spirits.

Where are Ruby Franke’s children now?

Following the arrests, all four of Ruby Franke’s minor children were taken into the care of the Utah Division of Child and Family Services. Her eldest daughter, Shari Franke, who had been estranged from the family, expressed relief on social media, stating, “Me and my family are so glad justice is being served.” Shari had previously voiced concerns about her siblings’ welfare and had attempted to alert authorities.

Ruby’s sisters, fellow influencers Ellie Mecham, Julie Griffiths Deru, and Bonnie Hoellein, released a joint statement expressing their relief and support for the children. They emphasized that the arrest “needed to happen” and that the children now face “a long road ahead” towards healing.

FAQs

Who is Ruby Franke? Ruby Franke is a former parenting YouTuber known for her channel “8 Passengers,” which documented her family life. She was later convicted of child abuse.

What was “8 Passengers” about? “8 Passengers” was a YouTube channel featuring the Franke family’s daily life, focusing on parenting and family interactions.

How did the public react to Ruby Franke’s parenting style? Ruby Franke’s parenting style initially garnered a large following, but over time, criticism mounted due to her strict and harsh disciplinary methods, leading to public outcry and legal action.

What led to Ruby Franke’s arrest? Ruby Franke was arrested after her son escaped from their home showing signs of severe malnourishment and abuse, leading to an investigation that uncovered further evidence of mistreatment.

Where is Ruby Franke now? Ruby Franke is currently incarcerated, serving a prison sentence for her conviction on multiple charges of child abuse.

Are Ruby Franke’s Children Safe Now? Yes, following Ruby’s arrest, her minor children were placed under the care of the Utah Division of Child and Family Services.