In the world of family vlogging, few names were as well-known as Ruby Franke kids and their popular YouTube channel, 8 Passengers. What started as a heartwarming glimpse into a large, loving family quickly turned into one of the most disturbing cases of online parenting gone wrong.
With millions of subscribers, the daily lives of Ruby Franke kids became an open book. But behind the curated content, alarming parenting tactics were unfolding, eventually leading to Ruby Franke’s arrest for child abuse.
This article dives deep into Ruby Franke’s rise and fall, her six children’s experiences, and the larger conversation around family vlogging and ethics.
The Rise of 8 Passengers: A Picture-Perfect Family?
Ruby Franke launched 8 Passengers in 2015, alongside her husband Kevin Franke, a professor of civil engineering. They had six children, each playing a role in the family’s online story:
- Shari Franke – The oldest daughter, intelligent and independent.
- Chad Franke – Adventurous and outgoing.
- Abby Franke – Sweet and artistic.
- Julie Franke – The peacekeeper, calm and collected.
- Russell Franke – Playful and energetic.
- Eve Franke – The youngest, capturing milestones from toddlerhood to elementary school.
The channel gained traction by showcasing daily family life, parenting insights, and Mormon values. Unlike drama-filled vlogs, 8 Passengers presented a disciplined, rule-following family that resonated with a wide audience.
At its peak, 8 Passengers boasted 2.5 million subscribers, earning revenue from sponsorships, ads, and brand deals.
However, subtle red flags began surfacing as early as 2018.
Controversial Parenting Methods: Where It All Went Wrong
As the channel grew, viewers started noticing troubling parenting tactics. What some saw as strict discipline, others labeled as abusive and harmful.
Key Moments That Sparked Backlash:
1. Chad Sleeping on a Beanbag for Months
In 2020, Chad revealed he had been sleeping on a beanbag for seven months as punishment for pranking his younger brother.
- Many viewers were shocked—was this discipline or cruelty?
- This incident went viral, with many calling for Child Protective Services (CPS) intervention.
2. Eve Going to School Without Lunch
Ruby admitted in a vlog that she refused to pack lunch for her 6-year-old daughter, Eve, stating that Eve needed to learn responsibility.
- Critics pointed out that a child that young cannot be held accountable for such tasks.
- Some saw it as neglect, and concerns about Ruby’s parenting intensified.
3. Public Shaming and Overly Harsh Discipline
Ruby frequently shared humiliating details about her children’s punishments, including:
- Forcing Chad to give up his bedroom.
- Making her kids lose privileges for minor infractions.
- Harsh punishments for small mistakes.
4. The ConneXions Influence and Jodi Hildebrandt’s Role
Ruby eventually partnered with Jodi Hildebrandt, a controversial life coach, to promote a strict philosophy of obedience and discipline through their ConneXions program.
Hildebrandt’s teachings encouraged:
- Rigid parenting strategies that often seemed extreme.
- Mental conditioning that lacked warmth and empathy.
- Severe consequences for minor misbehavior.
By 2022, the 8 Passengers fanbase had split—some still supported Ruby, but many others expressed growing concern for the well-being of the Franke kids.
The Breaking Point: Ruby Franke’s Arrest for Child Abuse
In August 2023, the story took a dark turn when Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt were arrested on charges of aggravated child abuse.
The Events Leading to the Arrest:
- Ruby’s 12-year-old son escaped from Hildebrandt’s home in Springville, Utah, appearing malnourished, injured, and desperate for help.
- He was covered in wounds, severely emaciated, and had duct tape wounds around his wrists and ankles.
- A neighbor called 911, leading police to discover another malnourished child inside.
Upon investigation, authorities found:
- Evidence of prolonged abuse.
- Starvation and physical harm inflicted on the children.
- Disturbing punishments far beyond normal parental discipline.
Legal Charges and Sentencing
- Ruby Franke was charged with six counts of aggravated child abuse.
- In December 2023, she pleaded guilty to four counts and was sentenced to 4 to 15 years in prison.
- Hildebrandt also faced serious legal repercussions for her role.
Public response was swift—many felt relief that the children were now safe, while others questioned how it took so long for intervention to happen.
What Happened to the Franke Children After the Arrest?
Following Ruby’s arrest, the children’s lives changed drastically.
- Shari Franke (now an adult) had already distanced herself from her mother. She was vocal about not agreeing with Ruby’s parenting.
- Chad also spoke out, stating that he had suffered emotional and physical trauma.
- The four youngest siblings were placed in foster care.
Since then, Shari and Chad have started rebuilding their lives. However, the long-term psychological effects on the younger siblings remain unknown.
The Dark Side of Family Vlogging: A Wake-Up Call
Ruby Franke’s case exposes a major issue in the world of family vlogging—the blurred line between entertainment and child exploitation.
Problems with Family Vlogging:
- Lack of Privacy: Kids grow up in the public eye without consent.
- Monetization of Children: Many parents profit from their kids’ personal lives.
- Emotional Toll: Constant filming can create anxiety and stress.
- Exploitation Risks: Parents may prioritize content over their children’s well-being.
Lessons to Learn: Protecting Children in the Digital Age
The 8 Passengers case serves as a cautionary tale. Here’s what parents and society can learn:
1. Boundaries Matter
- Children deserve privacy—not every moment needs to be online.
2. Parenting Should Not Be Content
- Harsh punishments should never be used as clickbait.
3. Authorities Need to Act Faster
- Multiple red flags were raised years before Ruby’s arrest—the system needs to act quicker in such cases.
4. We Must Rethink Family Vlogging
- Should kids be the center of monetized content?
- Laws protecting children from exploitation in online spaces need to be stronger.
See Also: sportsgossips.net
Conclusion
Ruby Franke’s case shocked millions, but it also opened necessary conversations about family vlogging and responsible parenting.
While 8 Passengers started as an innocent family vlog, it became a nightmare for the children involved. The Franke kids now face a long journey of healing, and their story should serve as a lesson for the future of digital parenting.
What do you think? Should family vlogging be regulated? Share your thoughts in the comments!
