Ruby Franke was once a well-known YouTube mom, recognized for her channel 8 Passengers, where she shared the daily lives of her six children and husband, Kevin. However, what appeared to be a picture-perfect family was later revealed to be a household filled with extreme parenting, neglect, and abuse. Franke’s arrest in 2023 sent shockwaves through the online community, exposing the dangers of family vlogging and unregulated social media influence.
This article takes an in-depth look at Ruby Franke’s journey—from her rise to fame to the shocking allegations that led to her imprisonment.
The Rise and Fall of Ruby Franke
Ruby Franke was once at the center of 8 Passengers, a popular YouTube family channel she started in 2015. The channel followed the daily lives of her husband, Kevin, and their six children—Shari, Chad, Abby, Julie, Russell, and Eve. At its peak, the channel brought in up to $100,000 per month, allowing the family to live a comfortable lifestyle.
But over time, viewers started noticing disturbing behavior. Ruby imposed strict and often extreme punishments on her children, such as refusing to bring her 6-year-old daughter lunch at school, taking away her sons’ “privilege” to eat dinner, and forcing one child to sleep on the bathroom floor after wetting the bed. As concerns grew, Ruby became increasingly influenced by Jodi Hildebrandt, a controversial therapist. Together, they launched the Moms of Truth podcast and social media accounts, promoting harsh and extreme parenting tactics.
Controversial Parenting Practices
While many YouTube family vloggers present idealized versions of parenting, Ruby Franke’s approach was often criticized for being too harsh.
Some of the most controversial moments from 8 Passengers included:
- Refusing to bring her 6-year-old daughter, Eve, lunch at school after she forgot it, as a form of punishment.
- Taking away her sons’ meals as a disciplinary measure.
- Making her son Chad sleep on the floor for months as a consequence of misbehavior.
- Publicly shaming her children in videos, discussing their personal struggles without their consent.
By 2020, more viewers were voicing their concerns, questioning whether the strict parenting was crossing the line into emotional and physical abuse. Despite the backlash, Franke remained adamant that her parenting methods were rooted in discipline and values.
The Influence of Jodi Hildebrandt
As criticism mounted, Ruby Franke sought guidance from Jodi Hildebrandt, a therapist known for her controversial and strict parenting philosophies. Hildebrandt, who ran the Connections program, promoted an extreme form of accountability, which many described as emotionally abusive and controlling.
Ruby became deeply involved in Hildebrandt’s teachings, and the two eventually co-founded Moms of Truth, a social media platform where they promoted their strict parenting ideologies. The platform gained a following but also raised alarm, as their advice often dismissed children’s emotional needs and encouraged severe punishments for minor infractions.
At this point, Ruby’s content had shifted dramatically. She moved away from 8 Passengers and focused entirely on her new beliefs, alienating herself from many of her followers and even her husband, Kevin.
The Escape That Exposed the Abuse
In August 2023, the world learned just how extreme Ruby Franke’s parenting had become when her 12-year-old son escaped from Hildebrandt’s home in Ivins, Utah. Desperate for help, he ran to a neighbor’s house, visibly malnourished and with duct tape on his wrists and ankles.
When police arrived, they found another child, Ruby’s 9-year-old daughter, hiding in a closet. An investigation revealed that the children had been subjected to extreme physical punishments, denied food and water, and forced to endure hours of grueling physical labor. The abuse was described as systematic torture.
Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt were arrested the same day. Authorities later discovered that Ruby had left her teenage daughters alone for extended periods while she lived with Hildebrandt, further neglecting her responsibilities as a mother.
The Legal Case and Sentencing
Following her arrest, Ruby Franke faced multiple charges of aggravated child abuse. In December 2023, she pleaded guilty to four of the charges, admitting to torturing her children.
During her sentencing in February 2024, she stated: “For the past four years, I’ve chosen to follow counsel and guidance that has led me into a dark delusion. My distorted version of reality went largely unchecked as I isolated from anyone who challenged me.”
Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt were sentenced to 4 to 60 years in prison. Under Utah law, they must serve a minimum of four years but could remain incarcerated for up to 30 years, depending on parole decisions.
Where Is Ruby Franke Now?
As of 2025, Ruby Franke is serving her sentence at the Utah State Correctional Facility in Salt Lake City. Jodi Hildebrandt is also housed there, but they are kept in separate sections of the prison. According to prison officials, there is a possibility they may cross paths during shared activities like gym time or rehabilitation programs.
Meanwhile, her estranged husband, Kevin Franke, has been working to rebuild his life and regain custody of their children. Their eldest daughter, Shari Franke, has publicly spoken out against her mother, emphasizing that she and her siblings are focused on healing.
The Impact on Family Vlogging
The downfall of Ruby Franke has reignited discussions about the ethics of family vlogging. Many experts and viewers have raised concerns about:
- Exploitation of Children: Children in family vlogs often have no say in their privacy, and their lives are monetized without their consent.
- Lack of Oversight: Unlike traditional child actors, children of YouTube families are not protected by labor laws or financial regulations.
- Potential for Abuse: Some parents, like Franke, have used extreme disciplinary measures to maintain a “perfect” image online.
Platforms like YouTube are now facing pressure to regulate family content more strictly to prevent future cases of abuse.
Public Reaction and Media Coverage
The 8 Passengers scandal has sparked widespread debate about the ethics of family vlogging. Many viewers and parenting experts argue that monetizing children’s lives on social media can lead to exploitation. The case has also drawn attention to the dangers of extreme parenting ideologies and the influence of unlicensed “therapists” like Hildebrandt.
Hulu’s docuseries Devil in the Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke has shed even more light on the situation, featuring firsthand accounts from Shari and Chad Franke, as well as close friends and neighbors. The series highlights the warning signs that were overlooked and the devastating consequences of unchecked abuse.
What’s Next?
While Ruby Franke serves her sentence, the future of her children remains uncertain. With their mother in prison and their father working to regain their trust, they face the challenge of healing from years of trauma. Mental health professionals stress the importance of therapy and support systems in helping children recover from such experiences.
As for Ruby, her time behind bars will likely be spent reflecting on her actions. Whether she serves the minimum four years or the full 30, the damage she has caused will have lasting effects on her family and former followers. One thing is clear: the era of 8 Passengers is over, and the story of Ruby Franke serves as a cautionary tale about the dark side of family vlogging and misguided parenting beliefs.
How to Watch Devil in the Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke
If you’re interested in diving into the shocking story of Ruby Franke, Devil in the Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke is now available to stream on Hulu. This three-part docuseries, released on Thursday, takes an in-depth look at the rise and fall of the once-popular YouTube mom, featuring firsthand accounts and never-before-seen footage.
You can watch Devil in the Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke exclusively on Hulu.
Check out the official trailer for a sneak peek into the gripping documentary.
Conclusion
Ruby Franke’s story is a tragic reminder of the dark side of family vlogging. Once a beloved YouTube mom, she now serves time for the abuse and neglect of her own children. Her downfall has sparked critical conversations about the responsibilities of online influencers, the dangers of extreme parenting, and the need for better protections for children in digital spaces.
As the world moves on from the 8 Passengers era, the legacy of Ruby Franke serves as both a cautionary tale and a call for change in how we view online family content.
