Where Ruby Franke's 6 Kids Are Now
Warning! This article contains discussions of child abuse.
Devil in the Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke shines a light on the tragic circumstances of the Franke family in the run-up to the mother's incarceration, but where are the kids now? Ruby Franke, together with her husband, Kevin, and their six children, ran a YouTube family vlogging channel named 8 Passengers, which they began back in 2015. Initially, the family were extremely well-received, and their online presence grew to extraordinary new heights. However, as the views went up, things began to fall apart in the Franke household.
It's clear that Ruby and Kevin's obsession with maintaining and growing their vlog overtook their parental instincts at some point, which led to the pair treating their children cruelly as employees. However, things got considerably worse as Ruby and Kevin began to work with a lifestyle guru, Jodi Hildebrandt, who began to significantly shape their home and personal lives. In 2023, Ruby Franke was found guilty of multiple counts of child abuse, and her youngest children were placed in various professional care institutions (via Business Insider).
Ruby Franke's Oldest Child, Shari, Is A College Student Hoping To Protect Young Influencers
Shari Franke Has Left Social Media Behind For Good
Shari Franke is the oldest child in the family, and was already living independently during the years when physical abuse became rampant. While she was not forced to live with Jodi Hildebrandt, and endure the same abuse that her younger siblings endured, Shari was actively kicked out of her family for having strong opinions and not falling in line with Hildebrandt's teachings and her mother's guidance.
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Today, Shari is a vocal advocate against family vlogging. In recent years, she has had discussions with government bodies and various organizations, highlighting the harm that comes from family vlogging. She wrote a book about her experiences, and her most recent public social media post is a declaration sharing the good news of her getting engaged, and highlighting that she will no longer be sharing her life publicly. Her desire to live privately and avoid the spotlight is in line with the terrible experiences she now advocates against, and she is practicing what she preaches ahead of starting a family of her own.
Ruby Franke's Oldest Son, Chad, Went Into Real Estate
Chad Franke Is Building A Brighter Future Without His Mother
Chad Franke was one of the primary faces for the channel when he was growing up, as he was often chosen as a fan-favorite member of the family. Today, he remains a popular figure online with a huge following on social media platforms like Instagram, though he does not focus his life on posting on social media. In the summer of 2024, Chad posted about beginning real estate school, and just three weeks ago, he posted about the success and joy he is finding on this career path.
Chad is trying to move on from his mother and the tragic experiences brought on by his and his siblings' upbringing.
Chad appears to be happy, and willing to share parts of his life online with the large fanbase he has accumulated over the years. He also appears to be in a relationship, and while there is no clear sign of any relationship between him and others in his family, It appears Chad is trying to move on from his mother and the tragic experiences brought on by his and his siblings' upbringing.
What Happened To Ruby Franke's 4 Young Children
The Youngest Kids Are Recovering From The Traumatic Experiences
The remaining four youngest children were still living with Ruby Franke ahead of the court proceedings, though the middle two, Abby and Julie, were left for extended periods at their residence in Springville, Utah while she went to live with Hildebrandt and the two youngest several hours away in Ivins (via People). In the aftermath of the court case, the four younger children, who ranged from 11 to 17, were taken in by the Department for Child and Family Services, where they were being professionally cared for.
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Kevin, the father of the Franke children, did file for custody of his four youngest children, though the case is a sealed case and the outcome, if one has been reached, is not publicly known. Evidently, the state of Utah is particularly concerned with the well-being of these children and ensuring they recover physically and mentally from the intense abuse and trauma they endured while in the care of their mother. Kevin Franke may not have been present in their home for the year that preceded Ruby and Jodi being apprehended, as illustrated in Devil in the Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke, but his ability to care for his children does remain a question.
