Ruby Franke, along with her husband Kevin, began their journey in the social media space in 2015 by documenting their life as parents to six children. The now-deleted “8Passengers” YouTube channel saw an immense rise in popularity, amassing about 2.5 million followers. This channel provided a sneak peek into the lives of the Franke family living in the serene lakeside suburb of Springville, Utah.
Questionable Parenting Choices
However, as the years passed, fans grew skeptical of the Frankes, particularly regarding their parenting methods. Video snippets featured Ruby justifying her decisions to take away her children’s beds as punishment or refusing to send lunch to school for her 6-year-old as a “teaching lesson.”
One particular incident caught a lot of attention. Ruby openly shared, “I just got a text message from Eve’s teacher, and she said that Eve did not pack a lunch today.” Instead of addressing the situation, Franke made the choice to let her child go hungry. She told her viewers, “Hopefully nobody gives her food and nobody steps in and gives her a lunch because then she’s not going to learn from the natural outcome.”
Joining “ConneXions” and Facing Backlash
Attempting to transition from the growing negativity, Ruby decided to cease posting on “8Passengers” and collaborated with a local Mormon therapist, Jodi Hildebrandt, on the “ConneXions” podcast. However, this move only intensified the scrutiny as the duo shared divisive opinions on various societal topics, from parenting to politics.
Allegations and Arrest
The boiling point was reached when both Ruby and Jodi were arrested and charged with felony child abuse. The alarm bells rang when a neighbor reported an “emaciated” 12-year-old boy from the Franke family seeking help. Officers promptly responded, leading to child protective services taking three of the Franke children into custody.
The family’s internal dynamics were further revealed when Franke’s oldest daughter, Shari, expressed relief at her parents’ arrest. Ruby’s three sisters – all social media influencers in their own right – also voiced their support for the arrest. They stated, “Behind the public scene we have done everything we could to try and make sure the kids were safe.”
YouTube’s Stand
In light of these incidents, YouTube took a firm stance by deleting the “8Passengers” and “ConneXions” channels. A spokesperson clarified the platform’s decision, stating that the channels were terminated as per their “creator responsibility guidelines.”
Disturbing Revelations
Jodi’s niece, Jessi Hildebrandt, opened up about her traumatizing experiences under Jodi’s care, which shockingly mirrored the alleged abuse faced by the Franke children. Jessi’s allegations ranged from being tied and isolated for extended hours to facing severe emotional and psychological abuse.
Current Status
While both Ruby and Jodi are held without bail, awaiting their court hearings, the entire saga sheds light on the sometimes hidden and dark sides of influencer culture. Both women’s health status remains a point of concern, especially after reports of Franke’s brief hospitalization and Hildebrandt’s prolonged stay in a medical observation unit.
As the story unfolds, the community and the world are reminded to stay vigilant and prioritize the well-being of children above all.
Source: People
