Ruby Franke | Biography

• By Stone Palmer
• Original : December 22, 2024

Who is Ruby Franke?

Ruby Franke is a former social media influencer and mother of six from Utah, best known for her YouTube channel "8 Passengers," where she documented her family's lifestyle and parenting methods. Born in January 1982, Ruby rose to fame alongside her then-husband, Kevin Franke, as they garnered over two million subscribers on their channel. The couple's content was deeply rooted in their faith as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and they often showcased their home-schooling practices and family dynamics. However, allegations of harsh parenting practices raised eyebrows long before her shocking criminal case came to light.

In August 2023, Ruby was arrested alongside her life coach, Jodi Hildebrandt, for child abuse after police discovered that two of her children had suffered physical and emotional mistreatment under her care. This revelation led to national outrage, as evidence emerged detailing horrific abuses, including confinement and deprivation of food. Ruby eventually pleaded guilty to four counts of aggravated child abuse and received a prison sentence of 4 to 30 years. Despite her once-celebrated online presence, Ruby Franke's story culminated in one of the more notorious cases of child abuse in recent years, contrasting sharply with her previous image as a family-oriented momfluencer.

Early Life and Education

Ruby Franke was born in January 1982, in Utah, and grew up in a closely-knit family, being one of four sisters. Raised in a devout household, religious teachings from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints significantly influenced her upbringing and values. As a child, Franke was instilled with the importance of faith, family, and community, which later became central themes in her social media presence. Her early environment cultivated a desire to establish a large family of her own, leading her to marry Kevin Franke, with whom she eventually had six children.

Throughout her educational pursuits, Ruby aimed to embody the values professed by her faith. Although exact details of her formal education are not widely publicized, her commitment to family and traditional parenting ideals shaped her approach to raising her children. Franke and her husband gained prominence by sharing their parenting journey on their popular YouTube channel, "8 Passengers." The platform initially allowed them to present their family life positively but would later serve as a backdrop for serious allegations of child abuse that shocked many followers and the public_at_large.

Rise to Fame: Starting the 8 Passengers YouTube Channel

Ruby Franke, born in January 1982 in Utah, gained internet fame as a family-focused "momfluencer" through the YouTube channel 8 Passengers, which she launched in 2015 alongside her then-husband, Kevin Franke. The channel quickly amassed over 2 million subscribers, drawing viewers into the daily lives of Ruby and her six children. Franke showcased her parenting styles, homeschooling methods, and family dynamics, which were deeply rooted in the principles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Her charismatic online persona resonated with many, positioning her as a significant figure in the realm of family vlogging.

However, alongside the channel's popularity, Ruby faced mounting criticism regarding her strict parenting techniques. Viewers expressed concern over perceived mistreatment, particularly regarding punishment methods and discipline approaches that seemed to blur the lines of acceptable parenting. Despite multiple reports to child protective services, Ruby's parenting style continued unchecked, gathering attention for all the wrong reasons. As the couple's marriage began to unravel, Ruby's partnership with life coach Jodi Hildebrandt further influenced her already contentious parenting philosophy, setting the stage for the shocking and tragic events that followed her rise to fame.

Downfall: The Child Abuse Case and Arrest

Ruby Franke, a former "momfluencer" and the mother of six, gained widespread attention for her family-oriented YouTube channel, 8 Passengers. Initially celebrated for sharing insights into her life as a devout member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, her public persona drastically shifted when she was arrested in August 2023. Behind the camera, Franke's parenting style raised numerous red flags, with critics alleging harsh methods that eventually culminated in documented child abuse. With the help of life coach Jodi Hildebrandt, Franke’s behavior devolved into severe mistreatment, leading to the eventual discovery of her children's horrific living conditions that shocked the nation.

The allegations against Ruby Franke were serious and included mental and physical abuse towards two of her children, characterized by starvation, confinement, and harsh punishment methods. The case drew media attention when her 12-year-old son managed to escape from the home he shared with Hildebrandt and sought help from neighbors, alerting authorities to the dire situation. This dramatic revelation led to Ruby Franke’s arrest, where she and Hildebrandt faced multiple charges of child abuse, sending shockwaves through the community and dismantling the façade of a loving mother that Franke had portrayed online.

Following her arrest, Franke's life unraveled rapidly. She was sentenced to up to 30 years in prison after pleading guilty to aggravated child abuse, while her estranged daughter publicly condemned the Lifetime movie about their story, emphasizing the lack of support for the victims—her siblings. Now behind bars, Franke’s case serves as a sobering reminder of the complexities surrounding family vlogging and the vulnerable positions children can find themselves in when their lives are shared publicly. As the legal processes unfold, the focus shifts to the well-being of her surviving children, who are now in protective custody, striving to recover from their traumatic experiences.

The Legal Proceedings and Sentencing

Ruby Franke's legal woes began in August 2023 when allegations of severe child abuse surfaced, leading to her arrest alongside her life coach, Jodi Hildebrandt. Both women were charged with multiple counts of aggravated child abuse after police uncovered evidence of horrific treatment inflicted on two of Franke’s children. The situation escalated when one of her sons bravely escaped from Hildebrandt's home, ultimately prompting authorities to investigate the living conditions of Franke's children. The subsequent media coverage heightened public awareness of the case, highlighting the disturbing reality behind Franke's carefully curated online persona.

In February 2024, Ruby Franke faced the legal system and pled guilty to four felony counts of aggravated child abuse. During her emotional sentencing hearing, she expressed remorse for her actions and accepted full accountability for the abuse her children suffered. This resulted in Franke receiving a prison sentence of four consecutive terms ranging from one to fifteen years, totaling a maximum of 30 years due to Utah laws regarding consecutive sentences. Hildebrandt received the same sentence, marking a significant turning point in both women’s lives and leaving a lasting impact on Franke’s family.

As the legal proceedings concluded, the fallout continued to affect Ruby Franke's family. Four of her six children were placed in state custody, with her estranged husband, Kevin Franke, advocating for child welfare reform in the aftermath of the abuse. He focused on addressing existing loopholes in the state’s child welfare laws, urging lawmakers to implement regulations that could prevent similar abuse in the future. The community's reaction to the case shed light on the potential dangers of family vlogging, particularly when it comes to the well-being of child influencers.

Personal Life: Married Life | Husband | Children

Ruby Franke, born in January 1982, gained popularity as a family vlogger on YouTube through her channel 8 Passengers, where she showcased her life as a devoted mother and member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. After marrying Kevin Franke, a former engineering professor at Brigham Young University, they welcomed six children into their family: Shari, Chad, Abby, Julie, Russell, and Eve, born between March 2003 and September 2013. This burgeoning family life was deeply intertwined with their faith, which contributed to their public persona as a loving and spiritually-focused household.

However, beneath the surface of their seemingly idyllic family life, Ruby’s parenting methods came under scrutiny due to alleged abusive behaviors. The couple faced criticism for their harsh disciplining tactics, often shared during their YouTube videos. Ruby and Kevin's marriage began to unravel, leading to their separation and eventual divorce filing in November 2023, shortly after Ruby’s arrest in August for child abuse. Interestingly, despite the turmoil surrounding Ruby’s parenting and the subsequent fallout, their children were placed in protective custody, prompting Kevin to seek guardianship and strive to rebuild their family relationships in the aftermath of the scandal.

Net Worth and Earning: Salary Details

Ruby Franke, a former family vlogger and popular "momfluencer," is known for her once-thriving online presence on the YouTube channel 8 Passengers, which chronicled her family's daily life. Born in January 1982 in Utah, she gained substantial fame for sharing insights about her parenting and family life, attracting over 2 million subscribers. However, following her arrest in August 2023 for serious child abuse crimes, her financial standing has drastically changed. Before her legal troubles, it was speculated that Franke's net worth was in the range of $1 million to $3 million, largely derived from sponsorships, product placements, and her Youtube channel revenue.

Franke's shared content was particularly profitable, and collaborations with brands aligned with family values significantly boosted her income. However, following the termination of her YouTube channels and the fallout from her criminal charges, her income streams have all but vanished, leading to a precarious financial future. As she now faces a prison sentence of up to 30 years, the future of her earnings remains uncertain, and the potential for her net worth to decline further seems inevitable.

FAQs

Who is Ruby Franke?

Ruby Franke is a former social media personality and "momfluencer" known for her YouTube channel, 8 Passengers, where she showcased her family life, including parenting and homeschooling her six children. After gaining fame as a family vlogger, her life took a dark turn when she was arrested for child abuse in August 2023. Ruby's charismatic online persona masked the severe mistreatment of her children, leading to her current imprisonment.

What led to Ruby Franke's arrest?

Ruby Franke was arrested in August 2023 following alarming reports of child abuse involving two of her children. The investigation unveiled that Franke and her life coach, Jodi Hildebrandt, had inflicted mental and physical abuse, subjecting the children to starvation and confinement. A daring escape by one of the children, who sought help from a neighbor, brought the situation to light, resulting in their arrest.

What is Ruby Franke's background?

Born in January 1982 in Utah, Ruby Franke was raised in a devout family and later married Kevin Franke, with whom she has six children. The Franke family's life was deeply rooted in their faith as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Ruby's initial popularity stemmed from her relatable parenting content, but underlying issues became apparent as her behavior escalated.

How has Ruby's family responded to her actions?

The fallout from Ruby Franke's arrest has been significant, especially among her family. Her eldest daughter, Shari Franke, has publicly criticized Ruby's behavior and condemned exploitation within family vlogging. Additionally, Kevin Franke, Ruby’s estranged husband, has called for child welfare reform following the abuse revelations. While some children were placed in state custody, reports indicate they have been improving since the incidents.

What is the current status of Ruby Franke?

As of early 2024, Ruby Franke is serving a prison sentence of four consecutive terms for aggravated child abuse, with a maximum potential sentence of up to 30 years. Her legal troubles continue to evolve as she and Hildebrandt navigate the consequences of their actions. Additionally, her estranged daughter Shari is working on a memoir to highlight the issues surrounding family vlogging and its impact on childhood.

What impact did Ruby's online presence have?

Ruby Franke's online presence as a "momfluencer" brought significant attention to her family dynamics, which initially appeared positive and relatable. However, it later contributed to heightened scrutiny regarding her parenting methods and ultimately shed light on distressing realities of child mistreatment. The case has ignited discussions about the ethical responsibilities of content creators and the dangers of exploiting children's lives for social media gain.

How has the media portrayed Ruby Franke's story?

The media has extensively covered Ruby Franke's shocking transition from a beloved momfluencer to a convicted child abuser. Her story has become a cautionary tale, leading to documentaries and dramatizations, such as a Lifetime movie titled Mormon Mom Gone Wrong: The Ruby Franke Story, which depicts her life and the ensuing criminal case. This portrayal aims to bring awareness to the grave issues of child abuse and exploitation in social media contexts.