Hulu's new docuseries, 'The Devil in the Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke,' reexamines child abuse by the former YouTuber.
The story of Ruby Franke, once a popular YouTube family vlogger, took a dark turn in 2023 when she was convicted of child abuse. Known for her 8 Passengers channel, which documented life with her six children, Franke's strict parenting methods drew increasing scrutiny over the years.
The case ultimately resulted in her arrest alongside family therapist Jodi Hildebrandt, and both were sentenced to prison. As Hulu releases its new documentary Devil in the Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke, premiering on February 27, the question remains: Where are her children now?The ContextFranke's case has raised broader concerns about the ethics of family vlogging, child welfare protections, and the influence of social media personalities. Her conviction underscored the dangers of unchecked parental control in the digital age, while her children's experiences have fueled calls for legislative reforms to protect young online influencers.What To KnowRuby Franke and her husband, Kevin, started their 8 Passengers YouTube channel in 2015, amassing over 2.5 million followers. However, as the channel grew, so did concerns about her parenting style. By 2020, Utah's Division of Child and Family Services had investigated the Franke household but found insufficient evidence to intervene.Things escalated after Franke partnered with Jodi Hildebrandt, a family therapist, and moved into Hildebrandt's home. In 2023, one of Franke's malnourished sons managed to escape and seek help, leading to the discovery of abuse allegations that resulted in her arrest. She was later sentenced to a prison term ranging from 4 to 60 years.At the time of Ruby's arrest, she and Kevin were reportedly separated. Before the arrest, he had filed for divorce. Kevin had moved out and stopped communicating with his family at Hildebrandt's direction, according to People.What Was Ruby Franke Charged With?Franke was charged with multiple counts of aggravated child abuse. Prosecutors detailed instances of starvation, confinement and physical mistreatment inflicted upon her children. The case gained national attention after authorities found two of her children in dire conditions at Hildebrandt's home.Both Franke and Hildebrandt pleaded guilty to the charges, resulting in their sentencing.How Long Will Ruby Franke Be In Jail?Franke was sentenced to a prison term ranging from 4 to 60 years. The exact length of time she will serve depends on factors such as parole eligibility and behavioral evaluations while incarcerated.Where Are Ruby Franke's Children Now?Ruby and Kevin Franke had six children: Shari, Abby, Julie, Eve, Chad and Russell. Their youngest child, Eve, was 1 year old when they created the YouTube channel in 2015. Shari, their oldest, was 11 years old.Since their mother's conviction, some of the older children have spoken publicly about their experiences. Shari Franke, now 21, has been particularly vocal, describing her childhood as traumatic and calling for child protection laws for online influencers.'Family vlogging ruined my innocence long before Ruby committed a crime,' Shari said in testimony before Utah lawmakers in October 2024. She also wrote a book about her experiences, The House of My Mother: A Daughter's Quest for Freedom.Chad Franke, now 20, has focused on moving forward with his life, sharing updates on social media about his travels and studies. In July 2024, he revealed on Instagram that he had started real estate school.The four youngest Franke children—Abby, Julie, Russell, and Eve—were placed in state protective custody following their mother's arrest. Their father has since sought custody and continues to rebuild relationships with them.Where Is Ruby Franke's Husband Now?Kevin Franke has remained out of the spotlight. He filed for divorce in late 2023 and has since been actively involved in advocating for child welfare reforms.In early 2024, he testified before Utah lawmakers, pushing for stronger legal protections for children in vlogging families. While he has not been implicated in the child abuse case, he has spoken publicly about the challenges of navigating the aftermath of his wife's crimes.What Happens NextThe impact of Ruby Franke's case continues to unfold. Hulu's Devil in the Family features firsthand accounts from her estranged husband and oldest children, shedding light on what life was like in the Franke household.Meanwhile, debates around family vlogging and child welfare legislation are gaining traction, with many advocating for stricter protections for minors featured in monetized online content.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Convicted YouTube Mom Ruby Franke's Husband Kevin Asked Her to Stop Writing Him from Prison (Exclusive)Kevin Franke opens up to PEOPLE and in Hulu’s new docuseries 'Devil in the Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke,' streaming Thursday, Feb. 27
Read more »
Kevin Franke, son Chad on Ruby Franke, 'Devil In The Family' docElise Solé is an experienced writer and editor who specializes in parenting and pop culture for the TODAY audience. She’s a former New Yorker who lives in Los Angeles. She loves true crime shows, gummy candy of all types, running and hanging out with her son and husband.
Read more »
‘Devil in the Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke’ Delves Into an Abusive Nightmare“This is my ability to take control of my own story and speak it in my own words,” says Kevin Franke of the new docuseries, which attempts to show how his estranged wife’s viral fame led to “the torture of children in the desert.
Read more »
Ruby Franke docuseries on Hulu shares new details of child abuse caseAngela Yang is a culture and trends reporter for NBC News.
Read more »
Ruby Franke's Ex Wants to Date Someone New After Her Child Abuse ArrestRuby Franke's estranged husband, Kevin Franke, is looking forward to dating someone new after her arrest for child abuse
Read more »
Ruby Franke Hulu Docuseries Shocking DetailsIn one disturbing unseen clip, Ruby — who was sentenced to prison last year for child abuse — grabbed her daughter and covered her mouth after she interrupted her while filming a vlog. In another, she yelled at her kids that they were “not entitled to talk” while she was recording.
Read more »