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Ruby Franke: Where Is The Convicted '8 Passengers' Vlogger Now? A Complete 2025 Update

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The story of Ruby Franke, once a prominent "momfluencer" who documented her family's life on the highly popular YouTube channel "8 Passengers," continues to captivate and horrify the public. As of December 19, 2025, Franke is serving a significant prison sentence after her dramatic fall from online grace, a case that exposed a dark reality behind the polished facade of family vlogging.

Her conviction for aggravated child abuse alongside business partner Jodi Hildebrandt sent shockwaves through the digital creator community and prompted legislative change in Utah. This article provides the most current, in-depth look at Franke's life now, the details of her crimes, and the lasting impact of the case on child welfare laws.

Complete Biographical Profile: Ruby Franke

Ruby Franke, whose name became synonymous with controversial parenting and, ultimately, severe child abuse, built a massive following by sharing her seemingly perfect family life. Her biography is a stark contrast between her public persona and her private actions:

  • Full Name: Ruby Franke
  • Born: January 18, 1982
  • Residence: Springville, Utah (at the time of the channel's peak)
  • Former Occupation: Family Vlogger, YouTuber, and Co-founder of ConneXions
  • YouTube Channel: 8 Passengers (now defunct), which amassed over 2.5 million subscribers
  • Husband: Kevin Franke (reportedly separated or estranged)
  • Children: Six
  • Arrest Date: August 30, 2023
  • Conviction: Pled guilty to four counts of aggravated child abuse (felony)
  • Sentence Date: February 20, 2024
  • Sentence: 4 to 60 years in prison (four consecutive sentences of 1 to 15 years)
  • Co-Defendant: Jodi Hildebrandt (business partner and unlicensed counselor)

The Rise and Fall of the "8 Passengers" Empire

The "8 Passengers" YouTube channel launched in 2015 and quickly became one of the most popular family vlogging channels on the platform. Franke, a mother of six, was known for her highly structured and often criticized disciplinarian parenting style, which she openly showcased to millions of viewers.

The channel’s content often featured Franke discussing her strict rules, including restricting food, removing furniture from her children's rooms, and public shaming. While many followers defended her traditional approach, a growing number of viewers expressed concern, leading to numerous reports to child protective services (CPS) over the years. These early warnings, however, did not lead to intervention at the time.

As her fame grew, Franke’s association with Jodi Hildebrandt, a life coach and unlicensed counselor, deepened. The two co-founded the organization "ConneXions," which promoted controversial and often extreme views on relationships, mental health, and parenting, often suggesting that individuals needed to "disconnect" from "toxic" people, including family members. This partnership marked a noticeable shift in Franke's content and public behavior, leading to increased alienation from her family and her original audience.

The Shocking Details of the Aggravated Child Abuse Case

The dark reality behind the Franke family's online life was brutally exposed on August 30, 2023. The incident that led to the arrest was a chilling escape by Franke’s 12-year-old son, identified in court documents as R.F.

The severely emaciated boy, who had open wounds and was covered in duct tape, escaped from Hildebrandt's Ivins, Utah, home and ran to a neighbor's house for help, begging for food and water. The neighbor immediately called the police, who then found Franke’s 10-year-old daughter, E.F., in a similar malnourished condition inside the home.

The subsequent investigation revealed horrific details of sustained abuse, including:

  • Severe malnourishment and dehydration.
  • Being tied up with ropes.
  • Being forced to perform strenuous physical labor in extreme heat.
  • Being deprived of food and water for extended periods.
  • Being forced to sleep on concrete floors.
Both Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt were arrested on the same day and charged with six counts of felony aggravated child abuse.

In December 2023, Franke pleaded guilty to four of the six counts, acknowledging her role in the abuse and expressing "deep remorse and sorrow" for her actions. She admitted that she and Hildebrandt had convinced the children that the abuse was necessary for them to repent and that they were "evil."

Sentencing, Prison Life, and Lasting Impact

The legal proceedings concluded swiftly. On February 20, 2024, Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt were both sentenced to four consecutive terms of 1 to 15 years in prison, with the sentences running consecutively. This means both women face a minimum of four years and a maximum of 60 years behind bars, though the Utah Board of Pardons and Parole will ultimately determine their actual release dates.

Franke is currently incarcerated in a Utah state prison facility. Reports on her life in prison suggest a stark contrast to her former life as a wealthy and influential online personality. The remaining four children were placed in the care of child protective services, and her husband, Kevin Franke, filed for divorce shortly after her arrest.

The "Ruby Franke Bill" and Legislative Change

One of the most significant and lasting impacts of the Franke case is the legislative change it inspired. In a direct response to the horrific circumstances, the Utah State Legislature passed a bill—dubbed by many as the "Ruby Franke Bill"—which adds new protections for children featured in online content creation.

This new law ensures that children of "kidfluencers" or online content creators have certain rights, including the right to a percentage of the revenue generated from their image and protection from exploitation. This landmark legislation is an attempt to address the complex and unregulated world of family vlogging, where the lines between parenting and profit often become dangerously blurred.

Media and Cultural Legacy

The Franke case has also cemented its place in pop culture. The story of the "Mormon Mom Gone Wrong" has been the subject of numerous documentaries and true-crime specials. Furthermore, a Lifetime movie, tentatively titled 'Mormon Mom Gone Wrong: The Ruby Franke Story,' is reportedly in development, ensuring the case remains in the public consciousness for years to come.

Ruby Franke's journey from a celebrated "momfluencer" to a convicted felon serves as a powerful cautionary tale about the dangers of the internet's curated reality and the importance of child welfare. Her case has forced a necessary public conversation about the ethics of broadcasting children's lives for profit, leading to tangible legal reforms in the state of Utah.

ruby franke.
ruby franke.

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