Ruby Franke – The Full Story of Her Fall and Prison Sentence
Ruby Franke, the mother behind the popular YouTube channel 8 Passengers, was sentenced in February 2024 to up to 30 years in prison after pleading guilty to four counts of aggravated child abuse. The case, which unfolded in Utah, involved her two youngest children and her business partner, therapist Jodi Hildebrandt, who received the same sentence.
Franke’s arrest in August 2023 came after her 12-year-old son escaped from Hildebrandt’s home in Ivins, Utah, severely malnourished and injured. Authorities found her 10-year-old daughter in the same house. The case drew widespread attention to the risks of family vlogging and the exploitation of children for online content.
Four of Franke’s six children were placed into state custody after the arrests. Her husband, Kevin Franke, filed for divorce and sought custody, though the case remains sealed.
Who Is Ruby Franke?
Ruby Franke is a former momfluencer and convicted child abuser, best known for the 8 Passengers YouTube channel.
She pleaded guilty to four counts of aggravated child abuse, involving her two youngest children. Sentenced to up to 30 years in prison.
Arrested August 30, 2023; pleaded guilty December 2023; sentenced February 2024.
Case handled in Utah’s 5th District Court (Washington County). Franke is incarcerated at the Utah State Prison.
Key Insights
- Ruby Franke’s case highlights the dark side of family vlogging and the exploitation of children for online content.
- The abuse came to light after her 12-year-old son escaped and flagged down a neighbor, leading police to discover malnourished and restrained children.
- Franke acted in concert with therapist Jodi Hildebrandt, who was also convicted and sentenced to up to 30 years.
- The documentary Devil in the Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke provides an insider perspective from her eldest daughter, Shari Franke.
- The case exposed a lack of regulation around children’s online privacy and safety in the family vlogging industry.
- Utah’s indeterminate sentencing structure means Franke must serve at least 4 years before parole eligibility, with a maximum of 30 years.
Fact Snapshot
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Ruby Franke |
| Born | January 18, 1982 |
| Known For | YouTube channel ‘8 Passengers’ |
| Charges | 6 counts of aggravated child abuse (4 guilty pleas) |
| Sentence | 4 consecutive terms of 1-15 years (up to 30 years) |
| Co-defendant | Jodi Hildebrandt (same sentence) |
| Arrest Date | August 30, 2023 |
| Prison | Utah State Prison |
| Spouse | Kevin Franke (divorced) |
| Children | 6 (including Shari, Chad, Abby, Julie, Russell, and Eve) |
What Did Ruby Franke Do to Her Children?
Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt were arrested after Franke’s 12-year-old son escaped from Hildebrandt’s home in Ivins, Utah, on August 30, 2023. Police found the boy severely malnourished and injured. They also located Franke’s 10-year-old daughter at the same residence.
The abuse allegations, as described by prosecutors and reporting from the BBC and other outlets, included starvation, physical restraint, emotional abuse, and confinement. The BBC reported that the charges stemmed from alleged abuse “in three different ways: physical abuse, malnutrition and severe emotional harm.”
What Were the Charges Against Ruby Franke?
Both women were initially charged with six felony counts of aggravated child abuse in Washington County, Utah. Franke pleaded guilty to four counts on December 18, 2023. Hildebrandt pleaded guilty to four counts on December 27, 2023.
Did Ruby Franke Abuse All Her Children?
The charges focused on her two youngest children, ages 12 and 9 at the time of the arrest. The older children were not physically abused but were exposed to a toxic environment. All six children were removed from the home and placed in state custody.
What Role Did Jodi Hildebrandt Play?
Hildebrandt, a licensed therapist, co-ran an online self-help and parenting program with Franke. She moved into the Franke home and helped enforce the abusive regimen. Both women were convicted on similar charges and received identical sentences.
The abuse described by prosecutors included physical restraint, starvation, and severe emotional harm. The children were isolated from outside contact, and the conditions inside Hildebrandt’s home were described as punitive and extreme.
What Is Ruby Franke’s Sentence and Where Is She Now?
On February 20, 2024, Judge John J. Walton sentenced Franke and Hildebrandt to four consecutive terms of 1 to 15 years each. Because Utah uses indeterminate sentencing, the practical minimum is 4 years, while the maximum exposure is up to 30 years under Utah parole rules. Some reporting described the raw sentence as “up to 60 years” before the state’s consecutive-sentence cap is applied.
How Long Will Ruby Franke Be in Prison?
Franke received four consecutive sentences of 1 to 15 years each. She must serve at least 4 years before becoming eligible for parole, with a maximum of 30 years.
When Was Ruby Franke Arrested?
Franke and Hildebrandt were arrested on August 30, 2023, immediately after the escape and discovery of the abused children.
How Did Ruby Franke Plead?
Franke pleaded guilty to four counts of aggravated child abuse on December 18, 2023. Hildebrandt entered her guilty plea on December 27, 2023.
Utah law applies a cap on consecutive sentences, which means the maximum time Franke can serve is 30 years, not the raw total of 60 years that four 15-year terms would suggest before the cap is applied.
What Happened to Ruby Franke’s Children?
After the arrests, the four youngest of Franke’s six children were placed with state child welfare authorities. The older children were not living in the home at the time of the abuse.
Kevin Franke, Ruby’s husband, sought to regain custody after her arrest, but the custody case was sealed and public reporting has not confirmed a full resolution. The children continue to live with relatives or in foster care under court supervision, according to available reporting.
Where Are Ruby Franke’s Children Now?
Due to privacy protections for minors, the exact current location and well-being of the children have not been publicly disclosed. Court records remain sealed to protect their identities.
Who Is Jodi Hildebrandt and How Is She Connected?
Jodi Hildebrandt is a licensed therapist who became a mentor and business partner to Ruby Franke. She co-ran an online self-help and parenting program with Franke and moved into the Franke home, where she helped enforce the abusive regimen.
What Is Jodi Hildebrandt’s Sentence?
Hildebrandt received the same sentence as Franke: four consecutive terms of 1 to 15 years, for a maximum of 30 years in prison.
What Was the Relationship Between Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt?
Hildebrandt was a life coach and therapist who became a mentor to Franke. She moved into the Franke home and helped enforce the abusive regimen. Both were convicted of similar charges and sentenced equally.
Hildebrandt’s license as a therapist was later condemned by the Utah licensing board. Her influence over Franke and the children was central to the prosecution’s case, which portrayed the two as acting together in the abuse.
Timeline: From YouTube Fame to Conviction
- 2015: Ruby Franke and her husband Kevin launch the ‘8 Passengers’ YouTube channel, documenting life with their six children.
- 2020-2022: Channel grows rapidly; Franke becomes associated with controversial parenting advice from Jodi Hildebrandt.
- June 2023: Kevin Franke moves out; Ruby and Jodi increasingly isolate the children.
- August 30, 2023: Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt arrested after Franke’s 12-year-old son escapes and reports abuse.
- September 2023: Children placed in state custody; Kevin Franke files for divorce.
- December 18, 2023: Ruby Franke pleads guilty to four counts of aggravated child abuse.
- December 27, 2023: Jodi Hildebrandt pleads guilty to four counts.
- February 20, 2024: Both sentenced to four consecutive terms of 1 to 15 years in prison (up to 30 years).
- 2025: Documentary Devil in the Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke released on Hulu and Disney+.
What Is Confirmed and What Remains Unclear?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Ruby Franke pleaded guilty to four counts of aggravated child abuse. | The exact current location and well-being of the minor children (privacy concerns). |
| She was sentenced to up to 30 years in prison. | Whether Franke will appeal or seek parole early. |
| Jodi Hildebrandt received the same sentence. | Full extent of the abuse beyond what was charged (some details remain sealed). |
| The abuse included physical restraint, starvation, and emotional abuse. | Future of the 8 Passengers channel and its revenue. |
| The children were removed from her custody. | Whether Kevin Franke ultimately regained custody of all the children. |
What Does the Ruby Franke Case Mean for Family Vlogging?
The Ruby Franke case represents a watershed moment for the family vlogging industry. It exposed the lack of regulation around children’s online privacy and safety. Franke’s descent from a popular momfluencer to a convicted abuser was fueled by the influence of Jodi Hildebrandt, a licensed therapist whose extreme methods were later condemned by the Utah licensing board.
The case also raised questions about the responsibility of platforms like YouTube in monitoring content that may signal abuse. The documentary Devil in the Family adds a personal dimension, as it is produced by Franke’s daughter Shari, offering a victim’s perspective.
The case has prompted legislative efforts to protect children of social media influencers. Utah has added protections for child influencers in the wake of the Franke case, reflecting growing awareness of the risks inherent in family vlogging.
What Do the Sources Say About the Case?
“My mom was a master manipulator, and everything she did was for the camera.”
— Shari Franke (daughter), in documentary Devil in the Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke
“This case illustrates the importance of community vigilance in reporting suspected child abuse.”
— Utah Attorney General’s Office
“You caused severe physical and emotional harm to your children. The prison sentence reflects the gravity of your crimes.”
— Judge John Walton, at sentencing on February 20, 2024
What Is the Lasting Impact of the Ruby Franke Case?
The Ruby Franke case has reshaped public understanding of the risks associated with family vlogging and child influencer content. Franke and Hildebrandt remain incarcerated at the Utah State Prison, eligible for parole after serving approximately 4 years. The children continue to live under court supervision. The case has also spurred legislative action, including Utah’s new protections for child influencers, and ongoing discussions about platform accountability. For more on this topic, read about family vlogging risks and regulations and access child abuse prevention resources.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Ruby Franke abuse all of her children?
Charges focused on her two youngest children (ages 12 and 9 at the time). The older children were not physically abused but were exposed to a toxic environment. All six children were removed from the home.
What is the relationship between Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt?
Hildebrandt was a life coach and therapist who became a mentor to Franke. She moved into the Franke home and helped enforce the abusive regimen. Both were convicted of similar charges.
Is there a documentary about Ruby Franke on Netflix?
No, the documentary Devil in the Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke is available on Hulu and Disney+, not Netflix.
How long will Ruby Franke be in prison?
She received four consecutive sentences of 1 to 15 years each, meaning she must serve at least 4 years before parole eligibility, with a maximum of 30 years.
What happened to Ruby Franke’s husband?
Kevin Franke divorced Ruby shortly after her arrest. He was not charged with any crime and has been cooperating with authorities.
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