Ruby Franke

Who is Ruby Franke and What Led to Her Downfall?

Ruby Franke (née Griffiths), an American convicted child abuser, once had a life that seemed idyllic on the surface. But beneath the veneer of family vlogs and millions of YouTube subscribers lay a dark reality.

From Vlogger to Villain

In early 2015, Ruby Franke created a YouTube channel called 8 Passengers, where she documented her family life in Utah with her husband Kevin and their six children. The channel quickly gained traction, racking up around 2.5 million subscribers and over 1 billion views by June 2020. But as the numbers grew, so did concerns about Franke’s methods of discipline.

Disciplinary Methods Under Scrutiny

Rumors began to circulate about Franke’s harsh disciplinary practices. Stories emerged of sending a child to a wilderness camp, threatening to behead a stuffed toy, and refusing to provide lunch for her youngest daughter. These tales sparked a Change.org petition that reported perceived child abuse and neglect.

The Fallout

In 2022, the Frankes separated, with Kevin moving out of the house. Ruby began working as a mental health coach at ConneXions, a company run by Jodi Hildebrandt, and they launched a new video channel called ConneXions in 2022.

Arrest and Conviction

On August 30, 2023, Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt were arrested in Washington County, Utah. They were charged with six counts of felony aggravated child abuse. After pleading guilty to four counts on December 18, 2023, Franke was sentenced to serve between four and thirty years in prison.

Children’s Plight

The children were taken into care by the Utah Division of Child and Family Services after a search of their house found evidence consistent with the markings on one of her sons. The boy had escaped through a window and asked for food and water at a neighboring house, leading to claims of child possession.

Aftermath and Testimony

Franke agreed to serve a prison sentence and consecutive sentences rather than concurrently. Hildebrandt separately pleaded guilty to four counts of felony aggravated child abuse on December 27. Franke was expected to testify against Hildebrandt but instead received four consecutive sentences of between one and fifteen years’ imprisonment, with a minimum term of four years.

Family and Community Impact

The Frankes are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Franke’s three sisters disassociated themselves from her actions in a joint statement and individual videos. Kevin Franke filed for divorce in November 2023 after the couple had been separated for over a year. He later sued Hildebrandt over the abuse of his children.

Media Coverage

Franke’s case was covered in the 2024 Lifetime movie Mormon Mom Gone Wrong: The Ruby Franke Story, which premiered on February 25, 2024. Shari Franke published a memoir titled The House of My Mother: A Daughter’s Quest for Freedom on January 7, 2025. Hulu released a docuseries, Devil in the Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke, which premiered on February 27, 2025.

As we reflect on the rise and fall of Ruby Franke, it’s hard not to wonder how a seemingly normal family could spiral into such darkness. Her story serves as a stark reminder that appearances can be deceiving, and the importance of vigilance in protecting our most vulnerable.