Ruby Franke was arrested for child abuse after previously documenting her family’s daily life on her YouTube channel — but where are her kids now?
After facing backlash for some of her parenting choices, Ruby stopped her “8 Passengers” channel and went on to launch ConneXions with mentor Jodi Hildebrant in 2022. In August 2023, Franke was arrested on two counts of aggravated child abuse. She and Hildebrant have since pleaded guilty and were both sentenced to four consecutive prison terms.
In January 2025, Franke’s eldest daughter, Shari, told her side of the story in her book, “The House of My Mother: A Daughter’s Quest for Freedom.” The memoir detailed her mother’s alleged abuse that occurred throughout Shari’s childhood. (Ruby shares her kids with husband Kevin Franke, who filed for divorce after her arrest.)
“When I was younger, around, like, five-six, Ruby was really physical,” Shari, now in her early 20s, told Good Morning America at the time. “Whether it was like a slap to the lip or a slap to the cheek … when I would practice the piano, her hand would slam and it was really scary.”
When asked whether there is anything she would tell Ruby today, Shari said, “Probably tell her I’m happy without you. I was scared of her for so long, and I am here without her approval, and I am just fine.”
The former couple’s eldest kids — Shari and Chad — are the only ones who have preferred to remain in the public eye. The rest of the children — who are all still minors — have remained private. Scroll down for what to know about Ruby and her family:
When Was Ruby Arrested?
Ruby was arrested in August 2023 on two counts of aggravated child abuse after one of her sons escaped out of a window of the Utah home of Hildebrant. The son went to a neighbor’s home, asking for food and water. Per authorities, the child had duct tape on his ankles and wrists and was malnourished.
How Did Ruby Plead?
Ruby pleaded guilty to four counts of child abuse in December 2023, describing the “physical torture.” Ruby agreed to serve a prison term and that her sentences would run consecutively, as part of the plea deal. Ruby also testified against Hildebrant, who pleaded guilty.
When Was Ruby Sentenced?
Ruby was sentenced in February 2024 to four consecutive prison terms, which could range from one to 15 years each. Hildebrant received the same sentencing.
While addressing the court before her sentencing, Ruby said her charges are “just.” She added, “They offer safety to my family, accountability to the public.” Ruby claimed she had been “led to believe” that the world was an “evil place” and thanked officials who rescued her children.
What Was Hildebrant’s Relationship With Ruby?
Shari wrote in her January 2025 book that Hildebrant moved into the family’s home in 2022, with Kevin moving out shortly after. Shari claimed that the alleged abuse became more psychological — instead of physical — when Hildebrant became a part of the family’s life.
“I certainly got weird vibes from Jodi and Ruby,” Shari told Good Morning America at the time, noting that Ruby was “secretive” about the relationship with Hildebrandt. “I don’t think it’s normal at all that a therapist would move in to your client’s home … I was moving out to college, I hadn’t even left the house yet, and she is in my room and in my bed.”
In the book, Shari claimed she found messages on Ruby’s laptop after their arrest. She wrote, “Ruby, expressing her frustration about having to cater to Jodi’s needs for physical affection without getting anything in return.”
Ruby told Good Morning America that she was “not sure” whether Ruby and Hildebrant’s relationship was romantic. (Before her February 2024 sentencing, Ruby said in a statement in court that Hildebrant was “never” her business partner. Ruby claimed Hildebrant was “employed as my son’s counselor, in 2019 and in 2020, I paid her to be my mentor.”)
Did Any of Ruby’s Kids Reach Out to Authorities Before Her Arrest?
Shari claimed that she contacted authorities about the alleged abuse on multiple occasions. The Utah Division of Child and Family Services declined to comment on Shari’s claims in a statement to ABC News. Audio from the call was played during Hulu’s Devil in the Family docs-series.
“The Utah Division of Child and Family Services (DCFS) works with children and families during some of their most vulnerable moments. DCFS respects that each child and family has a right to privacy and remains firm in our commitment to that privacy for the children and families of Utah,” the statement read. “DCFS affirms law enforcement reports of our involvement in the Franke case. However, in order to protect the integrity of the necessary working relationships with those we serve, and to respect the privacy of children and families, DCFS will continue its practice and refrain from sharing specific information on a case, past or present. Utah law requires any person with reason to believe that a child has been subjected to abuse, neglect, or dependency to report it to DCFS or a local law enforcement agency. The 24/7 abuse and neglect hotline is 855-323-3237.”
What Has Ruby’s Family Said About Her Arrest?
Ruby’s sisters condemned her action in a joint August 2023 Instagram statement. “For the last three years, we have kept quiet on the subject of our sister Ruby Franke for the sake of her children. Behind the public scene, we have done everything we could to try and make sure the kids were safe,” Ellie Mecham, Julie Griffiths Deru and Bonnie Hoellein wrote. “Ruby was arrested which needed to happen. Jodi was arrested which needed to happen. The kids are now safe, which is the No. 1 priority.”
Kevin has filed for divorce from Ruby and filed for custody. As of April 2024, the children were still within the custody of Utah’s Division of Child and Family Services.
“He just wants to do what’s best for his kids and get them back, get them under his tutelage and his fathership and protect them,” Kevin’s attorney Randy Kester said in a statement at the time.
Amid his case in juvenile court — which has been sealed — Kevin sued Hildebrandt for intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligent infliction of emotional distress and negligence for him and his children.
Where Do Ruby’s Kids Stand Now?
In August 2024, Chad acknowledged the anniversary of Ruby’s arrest. “Happy Prisonversary,” he wrote in a Snapchat.
While recalling her childhood to Good Morning America in January 2025, Shari got candid about not wanting to resemble her mom in any way. “Sometimes I’ll, see myself in the mirror and I’m like, “Oh, my gosh, I look like her,’ or ‘I sound like her,’ but I don’t wanna be anything like her,” Shari said.
Shari claimed that she doesn’t think her mom can “fully comprehend the guilt” of what she pleaded guilty to. “I think that she’s as sorry as she can be,” Shari said. “What she has done is so bad that I don’t think her mind allows her to kind of fully comprehend the guilt of all that. And so I think that she probably genuinely believed everything she said. I don’t believe it though.”
While moving forward, Shari said she is trying to rebuild her relationship with her father and siblings. She noted that she has been struggling with the idea of forgiveness.
“Forgiveness is something I’ve had to study a lot and kind of think about what it means,” she said. “But for me, forgiveness would look like not letting that consume every moment of my life and all of my thoughts. I am just trying to move on with my life and trust that things are gonna work out the way they’re supposed to.”
Where Does Ruby Stand With Ex-Husband Kevin?
Kevin’s attorney Randy Kester told Today in a September 2023 statement that the pair had been separated “at Ruby’s directive” for 13 months. He added that “Kevin did not want to be separated.”
“He wanted to work through concerns as a family,” Kester said. “There was never any formal, written decree of separate maintenance or separation agreement. The separation was under terms proscribed by Ruby and Jodi Hildebrandt.”
Ruby and Kevin began marital counseling in 2021 with Hildebrant. Kester told People that Hildebrant suggested the twosome separate. He went on to file for divorce in November 2023.
“As of today, I’m still working through the divorce,” Kevin said in an interview with People in February 2025. We’re trying to reach a settlement. It’s been a long process, well over a year, but it’s ongoing.”
Kevin noted he was “close” to being officially divorced from Ruby. He has also started thinking about getting back into the dating scene.
“Well, of course, it’s something I think about,” he admitted. “But I’m a man of my honor, and I’m still technically married. So I’m holding off until the divorce is finalized. When the time’s right, that’s something I think that I’ll look forward to pursuing.”
Where Do Ruby’s Kids Stand With Their Dad Kevin?
Shortly before Ruby’s sentencing in February 2024, Kester said in a statement to Law & Crime, “The treatment these children received at the hands of those whom the children had a right to trust, was horrific and inhumane, both physically and psychologically. Kevin remains focused on the rehabilitation of these sweet and vulnerable children so that they might return to a normal life as soon as possible.”
Kevin told ABC News in a January 2025 statement, “I am incredibly proud of Shari for the woman she has become and for her strength. She has played and will continue to play a crucial role in the healing of our family. I am grateful for her example and learn a lot from her vulnerability and courage. She has a powerful voice and will make a positive impact in this world. I love my daughter.”
The four youngest kids have not made public appearance as they opted for more private lives following the scandal.
Are Ruby’s Kids Advocating for Change?
Shari addressed Utah lawmakers in October 2024 about the “dangers” of parents using their children online for monetary gain.
“When children become stars in their family’s online content, they become child influencers,” she said in testimony during a Utah Senate committee hearing, per ABC News. “It is more than just filming your family life and putting it online. It is a full time job, with employees, business credit cards, managers, and marketing strategies.”
Shari called for greater restrictions of family vlogging, specifically when children are too young for consent. “There is no such thing as a moral or ethical family vlogger,” she said.
If you or someone you know is experiencing child abuse, call or text Child Help Hotline at 1-800-422-4453.
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