Ruby Franke, the matriarch of the mormon Franke family in Ivins, Utah who has documented her family’s lives on YouTube channel “8 Passengers” was arrested on suspicion of aggravated child abuse. Her business partner Jodi Hildenbrandt was also arrested.
The mormon family of eight housed six children. Franke was known for documenting her strict and often unforgiving parenting style.The arrest came after one of her children escaped the home with lacerations from ropes and duct tape on their wrists and ankles. The child, who was reportedly also extremely malnourished, went to a neighbor asking for help. Upon seeing the child’s condition, the neighbor called the police.
The police then found another child in the home with similar injuries. The police department contacted the Utah Division of Child and Family Services, and four children were taken into their care. The AP reports that a judge denied bail for the two women on account of the severity of the two children’s injuries.
The Background
“8 Passengers” reached 2.5 million subscribers at its peak. The abuse allegations come after a number of questionable practices. Husband and wife Ruby and Kevin Franke have long managed their sizable social media presence, both for themselves and their family members.
Franke’s son Chad claimed that he slept on a beanbag for months after having his bedroom revoked over a prank he played on his brother. In an archival video, Chad Franke discusses the incident, and Ruby Franke is seen heavily restricting access to her children’s electronics. The mother of six is also seen forcing them to choose punishments for each other should they violate the ban.
Upon the arrests, Kevin and Ruby’s oldest daughter, Shari Franke, shared an Instagram story of the police and wrote “finally.” A statement from Ruby Franke’s sisters also stated that they were grateful that “justice had been served.” Shari alleged that she had been trying to contact CPS regarding her mother’s behavior for years.
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Since abruptly leaving YouTube with no explanation, Ruby Franke became involved in local life coaching organization called ConneXions. In an Instagram story posted in September 2022, Shari confirmed she was no longer in contact with her mother, and that she did not support “the extreme beliefs” of ConneXions.
Ruby Franke’s sister, Bonnie Hoellein, shared a video offering a statement on her sister. Hoellein stated that “it feels like a weight has been lifted as we now know our nieces and nephews are safe.” The video has since been deleted.
An attorney for Kevin Franke issued a statement to Page Six regarding custody of the children, which Mr. Franke reportedly hopes to keep. Attorney Randy S. Kester told the publication that the father of six’s “urgent focus is simply to keep his children together under his fatherly care.”
The other children in the Franke family are yet to speak out regarding the arrests.
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