Ruby Franke is an influencer who gained fame for making TikTok videos with motherhood tips. The Utah-based vlogger rose to prominence through her YouTube and TikTok channel called 8Passengers, where she documented the daily life of her family consisting of six children, her husband, and herself. Everything seemed great until last December when the mother of six pleaded guilty to multiple charges of child abuse.
Franke’s fame is attributed to her children allowing her to have that fame, but behind the cameras, torture began for them. Their mother subjected them to horrific abuse such as tying them up, beating them, kicking them, and even threatening to withhold food from them. She forced them into forced labor under the sun without any protection, resulting in the children suffering severe burns, as reported by police records. Franke was arrested after one of her children, only 12 years old, escaped from Jodi Hildebrant’s home (a friend of Ruby’s) in August 2023 and ran to neighbors for help, prompting them to call 911. The child was malnourished and had duct tape bound around their wrists and ankles.
Who Is Jodi Hildebrant?
Jodi Hildebrant is a mental health counselor who recorded videos with her friend and partner Ruby Franke, focusing on parenting. Jodi also ran the YouTube channel ConneXions, where she explained that her approach centered on healing relationships through personal growth. Jodi offered courses on her channel for people to change any type of destructive behavior, including feelings of worthlessness or inadequacy, relationship conflicts, intimacy issues, communication breakdowns, or any situation hindering happiness.
Contrary and entirely ironic to her teachings, Jodie admitted to torturing the children and being aware of the abuse. Among the horrible things she did was forcing one of Franke’s daughters to repeatedly jump onto a cactus.
Evidence in the Ruby Franke, Jodi Hildebrant Case
Among the evidence in the case, besides the noticeable malnutrition in the children and the duct tape found on their wrists and ankles, ropes, handcuffs, and a mixture containing pepper, cayenne, and honey were found in the house. This mixture was used to apply to the children’s open wounds.
https://www.tiktok.com/@rachel5444/video/7350093939958975787?_r=1&_t=8lHKHXL1qeT
Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrant pleaded guilty and were sentenced to serve four consecutive sentences of 1 to 15 years each. However, their definitive sentence for their crimes was 30 years in prison due to a Utah law limiting the duration of consecutive sentences. Ruby claimed she was manipulated by Hildebrant, which was why she acted against her children, although she did not fight for a shorter sentence as she admitted to what she had done. She even addressed her children in court during the sentencing hearing, although they were not present.
“I’ll never stop crying for hurting your tender souls,” Franke said to her children, “My willingness to sacrifice all for you was masterfully manipulated into something very ugly. I took from you all that was soft and safe and good.”
Where Are Ruby Franke’s Children and Husband Now?
Kevin Franke, Ruby’s husband, was reportedly separated from her for over a year, during which he had no contact with his children. When the police found out about what was happening, Kevin received a message to pick up the children from the police station, but Franke never disclosed who sent him that message.
“We [separated] because of the way I treated my wife and some of my own addictions that I was working on and seeking help for with pornography,” said Franke.
Kevin explained that he had been separated from Ruby since 2022 and had only had contact with her about four times during that time. When the police asked Kevin about his involvement in the children’s lives, he stated that he only paid the bills.
“I have chosen to trust my wife with the children,” Franke told the police, after an officer asked if he was aware of the “physical condition” of his children. “My job is to keep them financially. … I pay the bills. With my job, I provide the money, it goes to a shared bank account; that is my only involvement.”
Franke’s four younger children are now under CPS custody, and there isn’t much more information about their whereabouts. However, some videos have been found that provide some insight into what might be happening with them:
@julielouise1975 All 4 of Ruby and Kevin Franke‘s minor children are currently in foster care. Still no court date set for Ruby Franke or Jodi Hildebrandt, but I will definitely update as soon as one is announced, so hit follow for more updates. #8passengers#sharifranke#rubyfranke#kevinfranke#jodihildebrandt#rubyfrankearrested#rubyfrankearrest#rubyfrankeupdate#greenscreen
@julielouise1975 Jodi Hildebrandt‘s niece was also tortured and says she can relate to Ruby Franke’s children. #rubyfranke#rubyfrankearrested#rubyfrankeupdate#rubyfrankecourt#8passengers#jodihildebrandt
