5 Shocking Revelations From The 'Devil In The Family' Ruby Franke Docuseries And Latest Updates
Ruby Franke: A Biography and Case Profile
Ruby Franke rose to prominence as the matriarch of the Franke family, chronicling the lives of her husband, Kevin Franke, and their six children on the YouTube channel *8 Passengers*. The channel, which launched in 2015, amassed over 2.5 million subscribers before its controversy and eventual removal.
- Full Name: Ruby Franke (née Griffiths)
- Husband/Ex-Husband: Kevin Franke (divorce finalized)
- Children: Shari Franke, Chad Franke, Abby Franke, Julie Franke, Russell Franke, and Eve Franke.
- YouTube Channel: *8 Passengers* (now defunct)
- Business Partner: Jodi Hildebrandt, a mental health counselor and founder of the controversial organization ConneXions Classroom.
- Arrest Date: August 30, 2023
- Charges: Six counts of felony child abuse (four counts pleaded guilty to).
- Sentence: Four consecutive prison terms of 1 to 15 years, totaling a minimum of four years and a maximum of 60 years under Utah law.
- Co-Defendant: Jodi Hildebrandt, who received the identical sentence.
- Current Status: Incarcerated in a Utah prison facility.
The Fall from Grace: Abuse, ConneXions, and the Escape
The public facade of the perfect *8 Passengers* family began to crumble long before the arrest. Viewers of the family vlogging channel had often expressed concern over Franke's strict and often harsh parenting style, but the reality of the abuse was far more severe than anyone imagined.
The horrific details of the abuse came to light on August 30, 2023, when Franke's 12-year-old son, Russell Franke, escaped from Jodi Hildebrandt's Ivins, Utah, home. The boy, who was severely malnourished and dehydrated, ran to a neighbor's house for help. The neighbor immediately called the police, noting that the child had open wounds and duct tape around his extremities, indicating he had been restrained. This brave escape was the catalyst that finally exposed the years of alleged abuse and neglect.
The Sinister Influence of ConneXions Classroom
A major focus of the investigation and subsequent docuseries is the role of Jodi Hildebrandt and her life-coaching service, ConneXions Classroom. Franke had increasingly distanced herself from her family and embraced Hildebrandt's teachings, which promoted a highly rigid, divisive, and often extreme view of parenting and morality. Authorities and legal experts believe that Hildebrandt's methods, which she branded as a way to "live in truth," created an environment of paranoia and religious trauma, essentially isolating Franke and justifying the cruelty towards her children.
In her emotional court statement during the sentencing, Ruby Franke directly referenced this manipulation, tearfully telling the judge, "I was led to believe the world was an evil place." This statement suggests a deep level of delusion and control exerted by Hildebrandt, who was Franke's self-proclaimed mentor and business partner. The docuseries explores how this dynamic transformed the popular "momfluencer" into a convicted child abuser.
The Aftermath: 5 Shocking Revelations and Family Healing
The Hulu documentary *Devil in the Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke* and the ongoing legal developments have brought several crucial and shocking new details to the public's attention, shedding light on the family's path to recovery.
1. Kevin Franke's Fight for Custody and Finalized Divorce
Ruby's estranged husband, Kevin Franke, was not charged in the abuse case and has been working to regain stability for the children. The latest update confirms that the divorce between Ruby and Kevin Franke is finalized. Kevin was awarded the couple's properties and full custody of the minor children. This development marks a definitive end to the Franke marriage and provides a more stable environment for the four youngest children.
2. The Eldest Daughter's Memoir and Public Speaking
Shari Franke, the eldest daughter, has been a prominent voice throughout the ordeal, expressing her heartbreak and support for her younger siblings on social media. In a significant development, Shari is releasing a new memoir detailing the abuse she and her siblings suffered. Her decision to speak out publicly and in a published format is a powerful step in processing the religious trauma and family breakdown caused by the ConneXions influence. Her book is expected to provide the most intimate account yet of the family's decline.
3. Details of the Sentencing and Prison Term
Both Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt pleaded guilty to four counts of second-degree felony child abuse. The judge ordered that the sentences for each count be served consecutively, meaning they will each serve a minimum of four years and could face up to 60 years in a Utah correctional facility. This consecutive sentencing was a strong message from the Utah legal system regarding the severity of the crimes, which included starvation, physical injury, and emotional torture.
4. The Docuseries Features Family Members Speaking Out
The Hulu docuseries is unique because it features interviews with members of the Franke family who have never spoken publicly about the abuse before, including Kevin Franke and the eldest children, Shari and Chad Franke. Their participation offers a direct, unfiltered account of the reality of living under Ruby Franke's increasingly extreme parenting methods, providing a harrowing contrast to the cheerful image portrayed on *8 Passengers*.
5. Lawsuit Against ConneXions Classroom
The legal fallout extends beyond the criminal case. A federal lawsuit has been filed against Jodi Hildebrandt, Ruby Franke, and their company, ConneXions Classroom. This lawsuit alleges that the women participated in harmful and abusive practices under the guise of counseling. The outcome of this civil suit could significantly impact the future of Hildebrandt's organization and further expose the dangerous cult-like atmosphere that surrounded the two women.
The case of Ruby Franke is a complex tragedy that serves as a cautionary tale about the dark side of family vlogging and the dangers of extreme influence. While Franke and Hildebrandt face their lengthy prison sentences, the focus remains on the Franke children—Shari, Chad, Abby, Julie, Russell, and Eve—and their ongoing journey toward healing and recovery.
Detail Author:
- Name : Brandt Bartoletti
- Username : yyost
- Email : jonatan.leuschke@hauck.com
- Birthdate : 1970-07-02
- Address : 192 Jeanette Prairie Suite 541 Rennerburgh, ND 04018-0414
- Phone : +1.908.276.8500
- Company : Bashirian, Bednar and Deckow
- Job : Inspector
- Bio : Qui et velit aut quis voluptas nisi qui ducimus. Velit omnis deserunt odit sed. Veritatis quia odio qui voluptas quasi similique.
Socials
facebook:
- url : https://facebook.com/chaz_xx
- username : chaz_xx
- bio : Id molestias vitae ut explicabo. Velit officiis aperiam aut.
- followers : 3358
- following : 513
twitter:
- url : https://twitter.com/hudson2009
- username : hudson2009
- bio : Et ipsam et soluta dolorem. Et repudiandae maiores perspiciatis fugiat laboriosam maxime. Nihil earum harum sint dolore totam vero eaque.
- followers : 5780
- following : 2388
linkedin:
- url : https://linkedin.com/in/chaz8222
- username : chaz8222
- bio : Rerum ut dolorem sed ullam.
- followers : 619
- following : 1630
