History of Ruby Franke in Timeline

Ruby Franke is an American former family vlogger known for her YouTube channel 8 Passengers. In August 2023, she and Jodi Hildebrandt were arrested and charged with multiple counts of felony aggravated child abuse involving two of Franke's children. Franke later pleaded guilty to four counts of aggravated child abuse. In February 2024, she was sentenced to a prison term ranging from four to thirty years.

Sections (1)

Full Timeline

June 2020: 8 Passengers Channel Success

As of June 2020, the 8 Passengers YouTube channel had around 2.5 million subscribers and amassed 1 billion views.

2020: Concerns Over Disciplinary Methods

In 2020, viewers became concerned about Ruby Franke's disciplinary methods after an incident where a 15-year-old boy said that he had been banned from his bedroom and made to sleep on a bean bag for seven months.

2021: Decline in Popularity of 8 Passengers

In 2021, the 8 Passengers YouTube channel declined in popularity.

2022: Frankes' Separation and New Ventures

In 2022, the Frankes separated, and Kevin moved out of the house. After her YouTube channel was deleted that year, Ruby began working as a mental health coach at ConneXions, and they launched a new video channel together called ConneXions, and created a joint Instagram account called Moms of Truth, offering parenting classes.

August 30, 2023: Ruby Franke Arrested for Child Abuse

On August 30, 2023, Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt were arrested in Washington County, Utah, and charged with six counts of felony aggravated child abuse of two of Franke's children.

November 2023: Kevin Franke Files for Divorce

In November 2023, Kevin Franke filed for divorce from Ruby Franke after the couple had been separated for more than a year.

December 18, 2023: Franke Pleads Guilty to Child Abuse

On December 18, 2023, Ruby Franke pleaded guilty to four counts of aggravated child abuse.

February 20, 2024: Ruby Franke Sentenced to Prison

On February 20, 2024, Ruby Franke was sentenced to serve between four and thirty years in prison after pleading guilty to four counts of aggravated child abuse.

2024: Lifetime Movie Release

In 2024, Ruby Franke's case was covered in the Lifetime movie Mormon Mom Gone Wrong: The Ruby Franke Story as part of its "Ripped from the Headlines" feature films.

January 7, 2025: Shari Franke Publishes Memoir

On January 7, 2025, Shari Franke published a memoir detailing her experience as Ruby Franke's oldest daughter, titled The House of My Mother: A Daughter's Quest for Freedom.