The Dark Truth Behind Ruby Franke: Abuse, Control, and the Fall of 8 Passengers

For years, Ruby Franke and her YouTube channel 8 Passengers were household names among family vloggers. The Utah-based influencer shared her life with millions, portraying an image of a devoted mother raising her six children with strict discipline. However, behind the curated content, the reality was far from wholesome.

Now, in 2025, the horrifying truth has come to light through Hulu’s docuseries Devil in the Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke, where her eldest children, Shari and Chad Franke, bravely open up about the abuse they endured. The once-respected family vlogger has fallen from grace, facing a prison sentence of up to 30 years for child abuse.

A Picture-Perfect Facade

At first glance, 8 Passengers seemed like any other family channel, filled with smiling kids, road trips, and parenting tips. Ruby, alongside her husband, Kevin Franke, built a massive following of nearly 2.5 million subscribers, generating substantial income through sponsorships and ad revenue. Estimates placed Ruby Franke’s net worth at around $2 million before her arrest.

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However, as the years passed, viewers began to notice troubling parenting tactics. Ruby’s strict disciplinary methods, which she justified as “teaching responsibility,” raised eyebrows. Small glimpses of emotional neglect and punishment were brushed off by supporters, but for her children, these punishments were far from normal.

The Chilling Accounts of Shari and Chad

In Hulu’s three-part docuseries, Shari Franke, now 21, and her brother Chad, 20, recount the horrifying experiences of their childhood. They describe a household ruled by fear, where disobedience was met with brutal punishment.

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Shari recalled moments when she felt helpless watching her younger siblings suffer, especially Chad. “I did always feel bad when he got in trouble,” she shared. One particularly disturbing memory involved Chad being beaten so badly that she had to help clean his blood off the walls.

Chad himself revealed that his mother’s punishments extended beyond emotional torment. She would take a belt and whip him, force him to perform grueling manual labor in extreme summer heat without shoes or proper hydration, and isolate him for extended periods. His meals were restricted to plain food, while the rest of the family ate normally.

“I wasn’t allowed to eat what they were eating. I wasn’t allowed to drink enough water. She’d tell me I was being punished because I wasn’t listening to adults,” Chad explained.

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A Culture of Fear and Control

Ruby Franke’s discipline methods grew increasingly severe under the influence of her business partner, Jodi Hildebrandt. The two women became convinced that some of the Franke children were “possessed by demons,” using this as an excuse for their harsh punishments.

The emotional and physical abuse reached its breaking point when authorities intervened in August 2023. After her arrest, Ruby’s four minor children were placed under child protective services. Her husband, Kevin Franke, who had distanced himself from Ruby in the years leading up to her arrest, has since sought a divorce.

The Legal Consequences

In December 2023, both Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt pleaded guilty to four counts of aggravated child abuse. In court documents, it was revealed that their “disciplinary” actions had escalated to a level that endangered the lives of the children.

Despite the overwhelming evidence, Ruby showed little remorse, instead describing her actions as “acts of love.” However, the court saw through her justification, sentencing both women to up to 30 years in prison.

The Fallout and What’s Next for the Franke Family

With Ruby behind bars, her family is attempting to rebuild their lives. Shari, now a college student, has become an advocate for survivors of family abuse, using her platform to share her story and raise awareness. Chad, though still recovering from years of trauma, has found solace in speaking out.

Kevin Franke has also remained vocal, insisting that he had no part in Ruby’s methods. However, many critics question how he failed to intervene, given the severity of the abuse.

The Bigger Picture: When Family Vlogging Goes Wrong

The Franke case is a chilling reminder of the darker side of family vlogging. Many YouTube families profit off their children’s lives, exposing them to scrutiny and, in some cases, neglecting their emotional and physical well-being in pursuit of content.

Ruby Franke’s downfall serves as a cautionary tale—one that raises important questions about parental influence, online fame, and the ethics of monetizing family life.