Ruby Franke, a former YouTube star known for her channel “8 Passengers,” made headlines in August 2023 when she was arrested on two counts of aggravated child abuse. This came after one of her sons escaped from the home of her mentor, Jodi Hildebrant, with duct tape on his wrists and ankles, seeking help from a neighbor. The child was found to be malnourished, leading to the arrest of Franke and Hildebrant.
Following her arrest, Franke pleaded guilty to four counts of child abuse in December 2023, admitting to the “physical torture” she inflicted on her children. She and Hildebrant were sentenced to four consecutive prison terms in February 2024, with each term ranging from one to 15 years.
In January 2025, Franke’s eldest daughter, Shari, released a memoir titled “The House of My Mother: A Daughter’s Quest for Freedom,” detailing the alleged abuse she and her siblings endured at the hands of their mother. Shari described Ruby as being physically abusive, recalling instances of slaps and intimidation during her childhood.
Shari also spoke out about Hildebrant’s role in the family, claiming that the therapist moved in with them in 2022, causing Kevin Franke, Ruby’s husband, to move out. Shari alleged that the abuse became more psychological when Hildebrant became a part of their lives, with Ruby and Hildebrant’s relationship raising concerns.
Despite Shari’s claims that she had reached out to authorities multiple times about the abuse, the Utah Division of Child and Family Services declined to comment on her allegations. The family’s story was further explored in the Hulu docu-series “Devil in the Family,” shedding light on the dark reality of their home life.
As of now, Ruby Franke remains behind bars, serving her prison sentence for the crimes she committed. Her children, including Shari and Chad, have chosen different paths in the aftermath of their mother’s arrest, with some preferring to stay out of the public eye. The Franke family’s story serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of parental abuse and the importance of speaking up against such injustices. It has been a tumultuous time for Ruby Franke and her family, as she was arrested on charges of aggravated child abuse in August 2023. Ruby’s sisters, Ellie Mecham, Julie Griffiths Deru, and Bonnie Hoellein, publicly condemned her actions and expressed relief that the children are now safe. Ruby’s husband, Kevin, has filed for divorce and custody of the children, who are currently under the care of Utah’s Division of Child and Family Services.
As the family navigates this difficult time, Ruby’s children have shared their thoughts and feelings. Chad acknowledged the anniversary of Ruby’s arrest in a Snapchat post, while Shari opened up about not wanting to resemble her mother and the struggle to rebuild her relationship with her father and siblings.
In terms of Ruby’s relationship with Kevin, it was revealed that they had been separated at Ruby’s directive for over a year before Kevin filed for divorce. The divorce proceedings have been ongoing, with Kevin expressing his desire to finalize the divorce before considering entering the dating scene again.
The case has garnered public attention and speculation, with Lifetime even producing a made-for-TV movie about Ruby’s life, which her daughter Shari condemned as “trash” in an Instagram Story post. The family continues to deal with the aftermath of Ruby’s arrest and the impact it has had on their lives. Kevin remains steadfast in his dedication to the rehabilitation of the vulnerable children involved in the scandal, with a focus on helping them return to a sense of normalcy as soon as possible. In a heartfelt statement to ABC News in January 2025, Kevin expressed his immense pride in his daughter Shari for her strength and resilience throughout the ordeal. He emphasized the crucial role she has played and continues to play in the healing process of their family, highlighting her vulnerability and courage as sources of inspiration. Kevin also acknowledged Shari’s powerful voice and predicted that she would make a positive impact on the world, expressing his unwavering love and support for her.
Since the scandal, the four youngest children have chosen to lead more private lives and have not made public appearances. This decision reflects their desire for privacy and a break from the spotlight that surrounded their family in the aftermath of the controversy.
Meanwhile, Shari has emerged as a vocal advocate for change, particularly in the realm of parental exploitation of children for financial gain online. In October 2024, she addressed Utah lawmakers, warning them about the dangers of parents using their children as online influencers for profit. She emphasized that the practice of family vlogging goes beyond simply sharing family moments online, involving complex business operations with employees, credit cards, managers, and marketing strategies. Shari called for stricter regulations on family vlogging, especially when it involves young children who are unable to give consent to participate in such content creation. She boldly declared that there is no moral or ethical justification for exploiting children in this manner, urging lawmakers to take action to protect vulnerable minors from exploitation and harm.
In conclusion, Kevin’s unwavering commitment to the rehabilitation of the affected children, combined with Shari’s advocacy for change in the realm of online child exploitation, demonstrates the family’s resilience and determination to turn a challenging situation into an opportunity for positive change. Their voices and actions serve as beacons of hope and inspiration for others facing similar struggles, and their efforts contribute to a safer and more compassionate online environment for children everywhere. The world of technology is constantly evolving, with new advancements and innovations being introduced every day. One such innovation that has been making waves in recent years is artificial intelligence (AI). AI refers to the development of computer systems that are capable of performing tasks that typically require human intelligence, such as speech recognition, decision-making, and language translation.
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