Introduction
Ruby Franke, known for her family YouTube channel “8 Passengers,” has recently made headlines for all the wrong reasons. The channel, which once chronicled the lives of her family, has been removed from YouTube, and Ruby Franke herself, along with her collaborator Jodi Hildebrandt, was arrested on charges of aggravated child abuse. This shocking turn of events has brought to light long-standing concerns and criticisms regarding the Franke family’s parenting style.
Who is Ruby Franke and What is 8 Passengers?
Ruby Franke: The Face Behind 8 Passengers
Ruby Franke, the central figure of the now-defunct family YouTube channel “8 Passengers,” has been at the forefront of a rollercoaster of controversy and public scrutiny. As the matriarch of the Franke family, Ruby played a pivotal role in shaping the channel’s content and the family’s online persona.
Ruby Franke, along with her husband, launched the family YouTube channel “8 Passengers” in 2015. This channel showcased the Franke family’s daily life, including the upbringing and discipline of their six children. With nearly 2.3 million subscribers, the channel was immensely popular. The Franke family, devout members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, also shared insights into their children’s homeschooling. However, as of now, the channel is no longer available on YouTube, and the reasons behind its removal remain unclear.
Ruby, along with her husband Kevin, embarked on their YouTube journey in early 2015 when they launched “8 Passengers.” This channel was their platform to share the daily life of their family, which included six children: Shari, Chad, Abby, Julie, Russell, and Eve. The family’s life in Utah, their parenting style, and homeschooling endeavors were all documented and showcased to an audience that eventually grew to nearly 2.3 million subscribers.
What made “8 Passengers” particularly captivating was its authenticity. Viewers felt like they were a part of the Franke family’s journey, witnessing the ups and downs, the challenges of raising a large family, and the joys of homeschooling. However, this authenticity also exposed the family to intense scrutiny when concerns regarding their parenting practices emerged.
As devout members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Frankes incorporated their faith into their content, sharing their religious values and beliefs with their audience. This religious dimension added another layer to the discussions surrounding their parenting style and the impact it had on their children’s lives.
The Frankes’ association with ConneXions, a life counseling organization founded by Jodi Hildebrandt, further raised eyebrows. ConneXions was known for its strict teachings on parenting and relationships, often promoting an uncompromising approach to discipline and family dynamics. Collaborations between Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt for ConneXions only fueled the controversy surrounding the family.
Despite the popularity of “8 Passengers,” the channel faced increasing criticism and allegations of child abuse. Viewers, alarmed by incidents shared in the family’s videos, began to question the Franke family’s parenting methods. The tipping point came in June 2020 when a Change.org petition called for an investigation into the family. One notable incident mentioned in the petition was their son Chad’s claim that he had been punished by sleeping on a bean bag for seven months.
The Utah Division of Child and Family Services did investigate the Franke household, but the case was ultimately closed due to unsupported claims, leaving many frustrated and concerned about the welfare of the children.
Ruby Franke’s journey from a beloved YouTube mom to a figure embroiled in legal troubles has been marked by public outrage, family division, and intense scrutiny of her parenting choices. While some have celebrated her arrest as a step towards justice and child protection, others continue to reflect on the broader implications of family vlogging and the potential consequences of exposing intimate family moments to the online world. Regardless of the outcome of the legal proceedings, Ruby Franke’s story serves as a cautionary tale about the responsibilities that come with online influence, particularly when children are involved.
Ruby Franke, the mom from the YouTube channel “8 Passengers,” got arrested for hurting a young child who was malnourished and had injuries, including duct tape on their arms and legs pic.twitter.com/IeEKe9OGuZ
— OneLike (@OneLikeApp) September 1, 2023
The Criticisms Against the Frankes
Family channels on YouTube have faced increasing scrutiny in recent years, and the Frankes were no exception. Allegations of child abuse and harsh parenting practices have dogged the family for some time. In June 2020, child protective services were called in following a Change.org petition that urged an investigation into the family. One incident cited in the petition involved their son Chad, who claimed he was punished by sleeping on a bean bag for seven months.
Despite these allegations, Utah’s Division of Child and Family Services closed the case, citing unsupported claims. The Frankes also faced criticism for denying their children personal space and refusing to provide lunch to their daughter when she forgot to pack one for school. Their association with ConneXions, an organization known for its strict parenting teachings, further fueled concerns. Ruby Franke frequently collaborated with Jodi Hildebrandt for ConneXions, and their extreme views on parenting were a subject of controversy.
The Accusations Against Franke
Ruby Franke’s arrest on aggravated child abuse charges shocked many. Authorities discovered a malnourished child with open wounds and duct tape on their extremities, leading to her arrest. Jodi Hildebrandt also faced similar charges in connection with the case.
One of the children from a family known as ‘8 Passengers’ on YouTube climbed out of a window to ask a neighbor for help. The children were starving and covered in wounds. Ruby Franke has been accused of child abuse for years. Finally someone listened. pic.twitter.com/mDZWalon7w
— Rose (@901Lulu) September 1, 2023
The Response from Franke’s Family
Shari Franke, the eldest Franke child, expressed relief that justice was being served and emphasized that they had been trying to alert the authorities about the situation for years. She also revealed that she was no longer in contact with her immediate family and did not support the extreme beliefs associated with ConneXions.
Additionally, Ruby Franke’s sisters, Elle Mechem, Julie Griffiths Deru, and Bonnie Hoellein, who are also family influencers, publicly supported her arrest, stating that they had been quietly working behind the scenes to ensure the safety of the children.
In summary, Ruby Franke’s journey from a popular YouTube mom to her arrest on child abuse charges has raised important questions about the responsibilities and accountability of family channels on social media platforms. The case underscores the need for vigilance when it comes to child welfare and the potential consequences of promoting extreme parenting practices online.