Ruby Franke used to be known as the dedicated mother of the 8 Passengers, a popular YouTube family vlogging channel with millions of subscribers.
Behind the curated social facade of perfect parenting, a very different reality was taking place. The forthcoming Hulu docuseries Devil In The Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke reveals horrific child abuse that took place behind closed doors, as told through her own children.
Blood on the Walls: Abuse Hidden from the Viewers
One of the most haunting moments of the series is when Shari Franke, Ruby’s eldest daughter, recalls helping her younger brother clean blood off the walls after he had been brutally beaten. “I did always feel bad when he got in trouble,” Shari remembers, describing how she watched her brother get a bloody nose from the abuse.
Another of Ruby’s children, Chad Franke, describes punishments he endured that were far worse than the audience got to see on YouTube. “She would spank, whip, take the belt out and whip my butt. Pull down my pants, whip me.” For years, these violent outbursts had been hidden from millions who tuned in, believing they were watching a loving, disciplined family.
From Internet Fame To A Prison Sentence
Ruby Franke and husband Kevin became internet stars positioning their strict parenting as tough love. But years later, questions began to rise over methods that, to viewers, showed children being deprived of food, harshly punished, and left in isolation for minor infractions. As online backlash mounted, Ruby dismissed accusations that her family was anything less than happy and safe.
Things took an even darker turn when Ruby connected with Jodi Hildebrandt, a self-proclaimed parenting expert and founder of the religious social media network known as ConneXions. Their alliance saw discipline go to an extreme, and Shari was cut out of her mom’s life. Ruby even told Kevin and Chad to leave their home, further isolating the two remaining younger ones from the rest of the siblings.
The Escape That Changed Everything
It wasn’t until August 2023 that the horrifying truth came out: Ruby’s 12-year-old son managed to escape from Jodi Hildebrandt’s home in Utah, malnourished and riddled with wounds. He ran to a neighbor’s house, pleading for help. That call sparked the arrest of Ruby and Jodi on multiple counts of aggravated child abuse.
Kevin Franke, who by that time had separated from Ruby, was never charged. Meanwhile, Shari had been trying to get the attention of law enforcement agencies for years, even calling child protective services. But no action was taken until her younger brother’s daring escape.
Where Are They Now?
In 2023, Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt pleaded guilty to a variety of charges. They were sentenced in February of 2024. Specific prison time was not determined for either of the women, but each of them could spend anywhere from four to thirty years in prison.
Meanwhile, Shari has spoken candidly about the trauma faced by her family and penned a memoir titled The House of My Mother: A Daughter’s Quest for Freedom, in which she narrates, in detail, the accounts of the abuse and how hard she fought to protect her siblings.
A Family Torn Apart: A Story That Has to Be Told
Devil in the Family sheds light on a reality that was right in front of people’s faces. A blunt reminder, social media creates illusions, and even seemingly picture-perfect families can house unimaginable dark secrets. As this series goes on air, many are hopeful the case of Ruby Franke is a warning that not all influencers are what they claim or appear to be.
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