Popular family vlogger Ruby Franke, known for her YouTube channel 8 Passengers, has been at the center of a shocking story that has captivated audiences and raised serious concerns about child safety online. After her arrest in August 2023 on charges of aggravated child abuse, Ruby’s life took a dramatic turn that has left her family struggling to heal and raising awareness about the dangers facing children in the world of online fame.
Shocking Allegations and Arrest
Ruby Franke and her business partner, Jodi Hildebrandt, were arrested following allegations of severe child abuse, including starvation and confinement of Ruby’s children. The case gained widespread media attention after Ruby’s 12-year-old son escaped to seek help for his siblings, leading authorities to uncover a troubling situation. Witnesses described the living conditions of the children as alarming, with one prosecutor even stating they were reminiscent of a “concentration camp.”
The Franke family had once been seen as a picture-perfect household on their YouTube channel, which boasted millions of subscribers, but the reality behind the camera was far different.
Life Behind the Camera
Ruby and her husband, Kevin Franke, rose to fame through their vlogs, showcasing family activities and their life as dedicated members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This seemingly ideal family dynamic began to unravel, especially as Jodi Hildebrandt’s influence altered their lives significantly. Shari Franke, Ruby’s eldest daughter, has shared her experiences in a revealing new memoir titled The House of My Mother, which highlights the emotional turmoil and challenges her family faced in the spotlight of internet fame.
Memories and Revelations in Shari’s Memoir
In her memoir, Shari Franke uncovers the darker sides of being a child influencer and the toll it took on her family’s mental well-being. She recounts vivid memories of anxiety, familial strife, and manipulative relationships. Shari has been vocal about her mother’s actions, expressing doubt that Ruby fully comprehends her guilt. The memoir also confronts the high costs of vlogging, arguing that it contributed to her childhood traumas and her family’s unraveling.
New Media Spotlight
Adding to the ongoing saga, Hulu is set to release a three-part docuseries titled Devil In The Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke, premiering on February 27, 2024. This series aims to explore Ruby’s life through extensive interviews with her adult children, including Shari and Chad, and will use previously unseen footage from their popular YouTube channel. Passion Pictures, the production company behind the series, hopes to shed light on the hidden struggles within the Franke family, detailing how fame can have devastating consequences.
The Aftermath and Calls for Change
Following their arrests, Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt received prison sentences of four to thirty years. The impact of their actions is felt deeply, especially with four of Ruby’s children now under the care of child protective services. Shari is advocating for stronger legal protections for child influencers to prevent exploitation and potential abuse in family vlogging. Only a handful of states currently have laws in place to secure the rights of child influencers, emphasizing the need for reform.
Shari’s Journey Forward
Shari Franke has become a voice for child safety online, urging legislation that protects vulnerable children, particularly those caught in the family vlog phenomenon. Besides pursuing her degree in political science at BYU, she has been actively involved in discussions aimed at improving child welfare laws. Shari has publicly stated that family vlogging drastically affected her childhood, and she believes stronger guidelines should be enforced to safeguard children in similar situations.
