Ruby Franke and her family, known for their YouTube channel “8 Passengers,” have endured a dramatic fall from grace. Once celebrated as a wholesome family with a strong online presence, they are now at the center of a troubling child abuse investigation.
The Franke family began their YouTube journey in 2015, showcasing their life in Springville, Utah. They quickly gained popularity, attracting millions of followers and billions of views by 2020. However, by 2022, things took a negative turn. Ruby stopped posting on their channel and aligned herself with Jodi Hildebrandt, a controversial therapist. Together, they started a podcast and shared extreme views about parenting.
In a significant change, Ruby moved out of her family home and into Hildebrandt’s residence, leaving her teenage daughters, Abby and Julie, unattended for long stretches. Concerned neighbors alerted the police on several occasions regarding the well-being of the children.
The situation escalated on August 30, 2023, when Ruby’s youngest son, Russell, fled to a neighbor seeking help. He and his sister, Eve, were found in alarming conditions—underweight and with injuries. This led to the arrest of both Ruby and Hildebrandt on several counts of aggravated child abuse.
After her arrest, Ruby eventually pleaded guilty to four charges of child abuse in December 2023. In February 2024, she received a prison sentence ranging from four to sixty years, although a state law limits her time to a maximum of thirty years.
A film titled “Mormon Mom Gone Wrong: The Ruby Franke Story,” premiered in late October 2024, dramatizing this real-life story, sparking further discussions about the impact of vlogging on children’s lives.
Ruby’s children are now navigating life without their mother. Shari, the eldest, has been vocal about the trauma they faced. She has begun advocating for changes in the family vlogging industry to protect child influencers.
Chad, another sibling, has expressed relief following his mother’s arrest. He has been active on social media, sharing his new pursuits like real estate. The younger siblings, Abby, Julie, Russell, and Eve, are currently under the care of child protective services, receiving necessary support and treatment for their emotional scars.
As they work towards healing, their father, Kevin Franke, seeks custody of the younger children, focusing on rebuilding their lives after such upheaval. Despite the pain, he is determined to provide a safe environment for his kids.
The story of Ruby Franke and her children stands as a cautionary tale about the complexities of family, fame, and the responsibilities that come with raising children in the public eye.
