50 Facts About Ruby Franke

Early Life and Family

Ruby Franke's journey began long before she became a controversial figure on YouTube. Her early life and family background set the stage for her future endeavors.

1. Ruby Franke was born Ruby Griffiths on January 18, 1982, in the United States.
2. She grew up in a family that would later become central to her YouTube persona.
3. Her family life and relationships played a significant role in her rise to fame and subsequent downfall.

Marriage and Children

Ruby's family life was a major part of her online presence. Her marriage and children were frequently featured on her YouTube channel.

4. Ruby married Kevin Franke, and together they had six children.
5. The family's life was documented on their YouTube channel, 8 Passengers.
6. The channel gained a significant following, attracting over 2.5 million subscribers and amassing 1 billion views by June 2020.

YouTube Channel: 8 Passengers

The 8 Passengers channel was a window into the daily lives of the Franke family. However, it wasn't without controversy.

7. Ruby Franke created the YouTube channel 8 Passengers in early 2015.
8. The channel initially gained popularity by documenting the daily lives of Ruby, Kevin, and their six children.
9. The channel's content often sparked debates about Ruby's parenting style.

Parenting Style and Controversies

Ruby's parenting methods were often criticized for being harsh and extreme. These controversies eventually led to serious allegations.

10. Ruby's parenting style included withholding food and sending a child to a wilderness camp for troubled teens.
11. She once threatened to behead a stuffed toy as a form of discipline.
12. These practices raised concerns among viewers, leading to a Change.org petition in June 2020 alleging child abuse and neglect.

Concerns Over Discipline Methods

Specific incidents highlighted the severity of Ruby's discipline methods, drawing widespread criticism.

13. A 16-year-old boy claimed he had been banned from his bedroom and made to sleep on a bean bag for seven months as punishment.
14. This incident led to child protective services being called to the Franke home.
15. The harsh discipline methods documented on the channel led to increasing scrutiny.

Collaboration with Jodi Hildebrandt

Ruby's collaboration with Jodi Hildebrandt introduced new dynamics into her parenting approach, further complicating the situation.

16. Ruby began collaborating with Jodi Hildebrandt, a life coach and therapist specializing in relationships and parenting.
17. Hildebrandt's coaching service, ConneXions, was known for its extreme approach to parenting.
18. Ruby's attorneys later blamed Hildebrandt for influencing Ruby's abusive behavior.

Influence of Jodi Hildebrandt

Jodi Hildebrandt's influence on Ruby's behavior became a focal point in the legal proceedings against Ruby.

19. Hildebrandt systematically isolated Ruby from her extended family, older children, and husband, Kevin Franke.
20. This isolation led to Ruby being subjected to a distorted sense of morality shaped by Hildebrandt's influence.
21. Ruby's attorneys argued that Hildebrandt took advantage of Ruby, leading her to abuse her children.

Plea and Sentencing

Ruby's legal battles culminated in a plea agreement and sentencing, marking a significant turning point in her life.

22. On December 15, 2023, Ruby pleaded guilty to four counts of aggravated child abuse in exchange for two other charges being dropped.
23. On February 20, 2024, Ruby was sentenced to serve between four and thirty years in prison for her crimes.
24. Ruby's attorneys continued to blame Hildebrandt for influencing her abusive behavior.

Jodi Hildebrandt’s Role

Jodi Hildebrandt also faced legal consequences for her role in the abuse allegations.

25. Hildebrandt was arrested and charged with six counts of felony aggravated child abuse.
26. Both Ruby and Hildebrandt were sentenced to up to thirty years in prison for their roles in the abuse.
27. Hildebrandt's extreme parenting methods were central to the abuse allegations.

Memoir by Shari Franke

Shari Franke, Ruby's oldest daughter, provided a detailed account of the abuse in her memoir, shedding light on the family's dark secrets.

28. Shari wrote a memoir titled The House of My Mother: A Daughter’s Quest for Freedom.
29. The book details the decades of abuse she experienced at the hands of her mother and Jodi Hildebrandt.
30. Shari revealed that Ruby physically abused her after playing a wrong note on the piano.

Abuse Allegations

Shari's memoir provided specific examples of the abuse she endured, highlighting the severity of the situation.

31. Psychological abuse was prevalent, with threats to pull Shari out of school if she didn’t quit her high school track team.
32. Shari disclosed that she had a two-year sexual relationship with a married church official named Derek.
33. This relationship began when Shari was 18 and involved intimate activities to prepare her for marriage.

Isolation and Control

Ruby and Jodi Hildebrandt's control over Shari extended to isolating her from family and friends.

34. Ruby and Hildebrandt isolated Shari from her family and friends.
35. They rarely left the house except for occasional trips to Dairy Queen.
36. Their dietary habits were unhealthy, consisting of sugar, saturated fats, and fried foods.

Last Interaction with Ruby

Shari's last interaction with Ruby was marked by legal and financial disputes, further straining their relationship.

37. Before Ruby and Hildebrandt’s arrest, Shari released a statement on Instagram addressing the abuse claims.
38. During their last interaction, Ruby was in the process of legally disowning Shari.
39. Ruby tried to transfer Shari's savings into an account not in Ruby’s name.

Wearing Mother’s Wedding Bands

Shari's symbolic gesture of wearing her mother's wedding bands represented her commitment to the truth.

40. After Ruby and Hildebrandt’s arrest, Shari returned to their family home to collect some belongings.
41. She found her mother’s wedding bands and put them on.
42. The rings symbolized her commitment to the truth and her rejection of Ruby’s abuse.

ConneXions Program

The ConneXions program, run by Jodi Hildebrandt, played a significant role in Ruby's abusive behavior.

43. Shari’s brother Beau Griffiths also enrolled in Jodi Hildebrandt’s ConneXions program.
44. Beau stated that Ruby was brainwashed by Hildebrandt and systematically pushed away from their family and friends.
45. The program was criticized for its extreme approach to parenting and psychological manipulation.

Family Statements

Ruby's family members shared their perspectives on her actions and the influence of Jodi Hildebrandt.

46. Ruby’s sisters, Julie Griffiths Deru and Bonnie Hoellein, shared videos detailing Ruby’s separation from the family.
47. They stated they were not aware of her actions and were shocked by the allegations.
48. Ruby’s family members testified against her during the sentencing hearing.

Decline of 8 Passengers Channel

The 8 Passengers YouTube channel experienced a decline in popularity due to the increasing scrutiny over Ruby's parenting methods.

49. The channel's popularity declined in 2021 as more viewers became aware of the allegations of child abuse.
50. In 2022, Ruby deleted the 8 Passengers channel and began working as a mental health coach at ConneXions.

Ruby Franke's Legacy

Ruby Franke's journey from a popular YouTube vlogger to a convicted child abuser is a stark reminder of the dangers of extreme parenting. Her channel, 8 Passengers, once celebrated for its family content, quickly became a focal point for controversy due to her harsh discipline methods. Collaborating with Jodi Hildebrandt only intensified the scrutiny, leading to severe legal consequences for both. Ruby's story, highlighted by her daughter Shari's memoir, sheds light on the psychological and physical abuse endured by her children. The community's reaction, coupled with media coverage, underscores the importance of vigilance in protecting children. Ruby's downfall serves as a cautionary tale about the perils of fame and the impact of misguided parenting. Her legacy, marred by abuse, emphasizes the need for awareness and support for victims of such extreme practices.