The Rise and Fall of Ruby Franke: Biography, Net Worth, Documentary, and Legal Fallout.
Explore Ruby Franke’s dramatic rise as a parenting influencer and her eventual downfall. Learn about her net worth, family life, legal battles, and the chilling details surrounding her arrest and abuse charges.
Ruby Franke, once a highly successful parenting influencer with millions of followers, became infamous for her harsh parenting style, leading to a shocking series of child abuse charges. Known for her YouTube channel “8 Passengers,” Ruby Franke showcased her family life, including her husband Kevin Franke and their six children. However, her journey from a beloved online personality to a convicted child abuser has captivated and horrified the public.
This article delves into Ruby Franke’s life, rise to fame, dramatic fall, the legal implications, her documentary coverage, and the aftermath for her family.
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Profile Summary
- Full Name: Ruby Franke
- Date of Birth: January 18, 1982 (42 years old, as of 2024)
- Place of Birth: Utah, United States
- Occupation: Former YouTuber, Parenting Influencer
- YouTube Channel: 8 Passengers (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 rose to prominence with her family-focused content on the channel 8 Passengers. The channel showcased her life with her husband Kevin and their six children: Shari, Chad, Abby, Julie, Russell, and Eve. With over two million subscribers, Ruby’s family became a centerpiece of the family vlogging community, celebrated for their strict but religiously-influenced parenting methods.
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Ruby’s YouTube channel started with innocent family moments, but over time, her parenting style took a controversial turn, and her disciplinary methods sparked public outrage, eventually leading to her downfall.
Ruby Franke’s Rise to Fame
In 2015, Ruby Franke launched 8 Passengers, a family vlogging channel that documented the day-to-day life of her family. From homeschooling routines to family outings and parenting advice based on her Mormon faith, Ruby offered viewers a peek into her personal life. Her authoritative parenting style initially garnered a strong following as fans appreciated her no-nonsense approach to raising six children.
Ruby often positioned herself as a role model for mothers, offering tips on disciplining children and maintaining household order. Her strong moral convictions attracted an audience seeking structure and discipline, particularly within the context of religious family values.
The Controversies that Tarnished Ruby Franke’s Image
While Ruby’s channel was initially well-received, her increasingly harsh parenting tactics began to raise eyebrows. Many viewers became uncomfortable with the discipline methods she displayed, some of which seemed punitive and borderline abusive.
Key Controversies:
- Withholding Food: In one video, Ruby mentioned that her 6-year-old daughter should not be given food after forgetting her lunch at home, saying that it was an opportunity for her to learn responsibility.
- Extreme Punishments: Ruby’s son Chad revealed that he had been sleeping on a beanbag for seven months as punishment for a prank.
- Public Humiliation: Ruby frequently discussed her children’s misbehavior on the channel, which some viewers felt was damaging to the children’s emotional health.
These instances led to public petitions for Child Protective Services (CPS) to investigate the family, igniting controversy over her approach to discipline and the ethics of family vlogging.
Ruby Franke’s Shift in Parenting and Legal Scrutiny
As Ruby’s channel gained notoriety for controversial parenting techniques, her content shifted towards a more rigid disciplinary approach. Some of the punishments she meted out, such as withholding basic necessities like food, became the subject of intense criticism. Ruby’s shift from relatable family moments to extreme discipline alienated many of her fans and invited scrutiny from CPS and legal authorities.
When and Why Was Ruby Franke Arrested?
On August 30, 2023, Ruby Franke was arrested after her 12-year-old son escaped from the home of Jodi Hildebrandt, a close associate and collaborator of Ruby. Emaciated, wounded, and bound with duct tape, the boy sought help from a neighbor. Authorities later found Ruby’s 10-year-old daughter in a similar condition. Both children had reportedly been starved and physically abused.
Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt were charged with multiple counts of aggravated child abuse. The charges detailed physical injuries, starvation, and extreme punishments that had endangered the children’s lives. The media and public were shocked by the horrifying details of the abuse, including the use of duct tape to bind wounds and the clear evidence of malnourishment.
The Role of ConneXions and Jodi Hildebrandt
Following the backlash from 8 Passengers, Ruby Franke began collaborating with Jodi Hildebrandt, a licensed therapist, to create ConneXions, a platform that provided life coaching and parenting advice. The venture was controversial from the start, as the pair promoted authoritarian parenting, advocating for strict obedience and harsh discipline. Hildebrandt had faced previous disciplinary action for unethical practices, including violating patient confidentiality.
ConneXions and their related platform, Moms of Truth, promoted the idea that children’s misbehavior was a result of “distortions” that required extreme corrective actions, often stripping children of basic rights, such as privacy and affection. Their methods were criticized as abusive and psychologically harmful.
Ruby Franke’s Husband and Family’s Response
Kevin Franke, Ruby’s estranged husband, had been living separately from her for over a year before her arrest. He expressed deep concern for the well-being of his children and distanced himself from the allegations, supporting the maximum penalty for Ruby. Kevin described the abuse as “inhumane” and stated that his focus was now solely on his children’s recovery.
Legal Proceedings and Sentencing
In December 2023, Ruby Franke pleaded guilty to four counts of aggravated child abuse. During the trial, she admitted to binding her children, withholding food, and inflicting physical harm. By February 2024, Ruby and Jodi Hildebrandt were both sentenced to up to 30 years in prison—the maximum sentence allowed in Utah for the charges they faced.
Ruby Franke’s Documentary and Public Fallout
Given the public fascination with Ruby Franke’s story, several documentaries are in the works, exploring her rise and fall from a parenting influencer to a convicted felon. The documentaries aim to uncover more details about Ruby’s mindset, the family dynamics, and how her content shifted into abusive territory. There are also discussions about the ethical implications of family vlogging and child exploitation in online media.
Ruby Franke’s Journals: A Glimpse into Her Dark Beliefs
In October 2024, Ruby’s journals were released by the Washington County Attorney’s Office. The entries painted a disturbing picture, revealing her belief that her children were “possessed” and that her abusive methods were divinely ordained to “cleanse” them of evil. Ruby detailed punishments, including forcing her children to stand in the sun for hours and covering them with dirty mop water.
These journals helped prosecutors argue that Ruby’s extreme religious views played a significant role in the abuse and that she genuinely believed her actions were for the children’s benefit.
Where Are Ruby Franke’s Children Now?
Following Ruby’s arrest, her four minor children were placed into the custody of the Utah Division of Child and Family Services. Ruby’s eldest daughter, Shari, who had previously distanced herself from the family, expressed relief that her siblings were finally safe. Other relatives, including Ruby’s sisters, supported the legal actions taken against her, acknowledging the severity of the abuse.
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FAQs
1. Who is Ruby Franke?
Ruby Franke is a former parenting YouTuber known for her now-defunct channel 8 Passengers, which documented her family life. She was convicted of multiple counts of child abuse.
2. What was the content of Ruby Franke’s YouTube channel, 8 Passengers?
The channel focused on family life, parenting tips, homeschooling, and her Mormon beliefs, with Ruby Franke offering an inside look at how she managed her household and raised her children.
3. Why was Ruby Franke arrested?
Ruby Franke was arrested after her malnourished son escaped from Jodi Hildebrandt’s home, showing signs of abuse, including wounds bound with duct tape.
4. What led to Ruby Franke’s downfall?
Ruby’s fall from grace began with her increasingly controversial parenting techniques, such as withholding food and enforcing extreme punishments, leading to public outcry and legal investigations.
5. What charges did Ruby Franke face?
Ruby Franke was charged with four counts of aggravated child abuse, resulting in a sentence of up to 30 years in prison.
6. What role did Jodi Hildebrandt play in Ruby Franke’s case?
Jodi Hildebrandt, a licensed therapist, collaborated with Ruby on the controversial ConneXions platform, promoting authoritarian and abusive parenting practices that led to both being arrested.
7. Where are Ruby Franke’s children now?
Ruby’s minor children were taken into protective custody by the Utah Division of Child and Family Services after her arrest.
8. What was Ruby Franke’s husband’s response to the allegations?
Kevin Franke, Ruby’s estranged husband, expressed deep concern for his children’s well-being and supported the maximum sentence for Ruby.
9. How did Ruby Franke’s family react to her arrest?
Ruby’s sisters and eldest daughter expressed relief that the abuse had been exposed and the children were now safe, acknowledging the severity of the situation.
10. What was revealed in Ruby Franke’s journals?
Ruby’s journals revealed disturbing insights into her mindset, documenting the abuse she inflicted on her children and justifying it with extreme religious beliefs.
This article provides a comprehensive look at Ruby Franke’s story, highlighting the complexities of her public persona, family dynamics, and eventual legal downfall. The impact of her actions continues to resonate, particularly in the conversation surrounding family vlogging and child protection.
