Ruby Franke, the eldest daughter of YouTuber Ruby Franke, has revealed her reasons for cutting ties with her family on a podcast. She said she was “spiritually drained” after her parents got involved with the group ConneXions. Ruby was arrested on August 30 at the home of the group’s founder, Jodi Hildebrandt. Shari eventually cut ties with her family in September 2022 and made it clear that she and her immediate family are not in contact. Between 2003 and 2013, Franke and her former husband, Kevin, welcomed six children together: daughters Shari, Abby, Julie, Eve, and sons Chad and Russell. When Shari, who suffered abuse from her YouTuber mom Ruby Franke, shared her story on a TikTok account Autism in Prison, it wasn’t until she was much older that she managed to escape her mother’s abuse.
Shari Franke, 21, was on her mom’s popular YouTube channel 8 Passengers until February when she was convicted of child abuse and sentenced to 30 years in prison. She addressed lawmakers in Utah Wednesday, describing what she witnessed and experienced as a child influencer. Last September, Shari reported to police that her sisters and brother had been left home alone for five days in Franke’s Springville home while their mother visited a friend in St. The shocking true story behind the viral 8 Passengers family vlog and the hidden abuse she suffered at the hands of her mother is the subject of a new TV movie Mormon Mom Gone Wrong.
Ruby Franke, who rose to prominence as a mommy blogger on the hit YouTube channel “8 Passengers”, was taken into custody on Aug. 30 after one of her “emaciated” children fled. In testimony during a Utah child welfare hearing, Shari Franke said that when children become stars in their family’s online content, they become child influencers.
| Article | Description | Site |
|---|---|---|
| Ruby Franke’s daughter speaks out to lawmakers on family … | “When children become stars in their family’s online content, they become child influencers,” Shari Franke said in testimony during a Utah … | abcnews.go.com |
| The House of My Mother | Book by Shari Franke | The shocking true story behind the viral 8 Passengers family vlog and the hidden abuse she suffered at the hands of her mother. | simonandschuster.com |
| Ruby Franke’s daughter warns about family vlogging | Shari Franke said long before her mother was arrested for child abuse, she felt extreme and damaging pressure to perform for the camera. | globalnews.ca |
📹 Ruby Franke’s Daughter Breaks Silence on YouTube Mom’s Child Abuse Charges
Shari Franke, the oldest child of Kevin and Ruby Franke, says her life has been a whirlwind since her mother was arrested in …
What Happened To Shari Franke?
Shari Franke, the eldest daughter of YouTuber Ruby Franke, began to notice serious issues in her life towards the end of high school when friends expressed concern over her changed behavior, especially after family interactions. Following her mother's arrest for aggravated child abuse during the summer of 2023, Shari has faced significant mental health struggles. Ruby Franke, once popular on the family YouTube channel "8 Passengers," was convicted of child abuse and is now featured in a new TV movie.
Shari, 21, cut ties with her family, citing a sense of being "spiritually drained." Kevin Franke, Ruby's estranged husband, filed for guardianship over their 16-year-old daughter Abby, claiming Shari was involved in a burglary after cooperating with police regarding Ruby’s home. Ruby was arrested on August 30, 2023, after horrific conditions were discovered related to child abuse allegations, ultimately leading to her guilty plea on multiple charges.
Shari has described her life as "upside down" since her mother’s arrest, and both she and her brother Chad have faced scrutiny, with no evidence of physical abuse against them found in an investigation. The Franke family’s online presence has come under intense examination amidst these troubling events.
Who Is Ruby Franke'S Daughter Shari Franke?
On September 18, 2022, Shari Franke, the eldest daughter of controversial family vlogger Ruby Franke, requested a welfare check, having distanced herself from her family after their involvement with ConneXions, a self-improvement program. In an April podcast, Shari described feeling "spiritually drained" due to her parents’ participation in this group. Ruby and her ex-husband, Kevin, have six children born between 2003 and 2013: Shari, Chad, Abby, Julie, Russell, and Eve.
In a recent testimony before Utah lawmakers, Shari advocated for laws protecting child influencers, sharing how her family's social media presence deprived her of her innocence. Following Ruby's arrest in 2023, Shari expressed her relief on social media and has since conveyed her experiences through various platforms, including a book revealing her childhood. At 21, she has taken a stand against the family vlogging industry, highlighting the adverse effects it had on her life. Shari is currently a student at Brigham Young University and continues to speak out against her mother's actions and their implications for children in similar situations.
Why Did Shari Franke Cut Ties With Her Family?
Shari Franke, the eldest daughter of Ruby Franke from the YouTube channel "8 Passengers," recently discussed her decision to sever ties with her family on a podcast. She explained that she felt "spiritually drained" after her parents became involved with the group ConneXions, led by Jodi Hildebrandt. Shari cut off contact with her family in September 2022, following Ruby's arrest on August 30. At the time, she mentioned that she and her immediate family were not in touch, and she later clarified her feelings on the "Into the Light" podcast in April 2023.
Shari shared that she didn't realize the extent of the issues in her life until nearly finishing high school, when friends prompted her to reconsider her circumstances. She noted that her family’s association with ConneXions contributed to her decision. Following her departure, Shari expressed her thoughts on social media and testified before Utah lawmakers about her upbringing, aiming to raise awareness of the issues stemming from her family’s history.
Ruby Franke faced serious legal challenges, including child abuse charges, leading Shari to publicly support changes in laws related to such matters. She has distanced herself from her family's online presence and has taken steps toward healing and self-discovery.
Why Did Shari Franke Open Up On TikTok?
Shari Franke, the daughter of Ruby Franke, recently opened up in a podcast, revealing her struggles and experiences within her family, which has garnered significant attention on TikTok amid her mother's child abuse charges. Shari, who didn't recognize the issues in her life until nearing high school graduation, described her journey to escape the oppressive household where she faced abuse. Once a seemingly idyllic family with a substantial YouTube following through their channel "8 Passengers," the Franke family has been embroiled in turmoil as Ruby faces legal consequences for her actions.
Shari has been vocal on social media about the perils of family vlogging and the exploitation of child influencers, sharing her insights with Utah lawmakers in hopes of implementing protective laws. On October 16, she expressed her mission to end harmful family vlogging practices on Instagram, illustrating the severe impact of her upbringing under Ruby's strict moral code. Shari's testimony sheds light on the dark realities faced by children in such environments, emphasizing the need for reform and safeguarding child influencers from exploitation within the digital landscape.
Who Is Shari Franke?
In April, Shari Franke, the eldest daughter of Ruby Franke, discussed her escape from her family, who had become involved with a group called ConneXions. Shari and her former husband, Kevin Franke, have six children together: Shari, Abby, Julie, Eve, Chad, and Russell. Ruby Franke, known for her YouTube channel "8 Passengers," has recently been arrested on child abuse charges and is facing up to 30 years in prison.
In her testimony before Utah lawmakers, Shari revealed her struggles as a child influencer and the toll it took on her mental health, stating she felt "spiritually drained" due to her parents' involvement in the controversial group.
She emphasized the pressures of being a child star in an online setting. Following her mother’s arrest, Shari has taken steps to document the alleged abuse in an attempt to raise awareness about the risks associated with family vlogging and to advocate for protective laws for child influencers. Her experiences highlight both the personal and societal impacts of growing up in the harsh spotlight of social media fame. Shari Franke is also a student at Brigham Young University, actively seeking to protect others from similar fates.
📹 ‘8 Passengers’ Mom Ruby Franke Sentenced for Child Abuse
Former “momfluencer” Ruby Franke was sentenced to four to 60 years in a Utah prison. Her business partner, Jodi Hildebrandt, …
The fact that he wanted his daughter arrested for robbery when she went to get her siblings items says a lot about the dad. He was mad the police would not press charges. She wanted to get her siblings items hoping she would get custody. And he was involved with the bad parenting when he was part of “8 passengers”
Of course Kevin was involved. Maybe not with anything to do with why the 2 women were arrested. He was 100% on board with the treatment of the kids though and the abusive behaviour and actions towards the children. There’s a ton of articles that attest to that. Can’t believe he hasn’t been arrested tbh
This is what happens when you make your child raise your other children. Shari is FIERCELY protective and …she’s capable. She’s capable of parenting and caring for them because that’s what she’s always done. It’s no surprise the children became so malnourished and neglected once Shari left for college. Their main caregiver had left. Ruby didn’t know how to actually cope with having to raise kids because she’s always pawned it off onto Shari and the other two girls.
Myself coming from An LDS Family.. the exterior looks great.. but the control is Real.. isolation from non members True.. very Modest.. strict.. as I got older and moved out.. it was SHOCKING.. to say the least.. a world we were sheltered from.. I’m no longer a member of the Church of Latter Day Saints.. “Mormons” I have my own personal relationship with the higher power.. I’m able to think and live as I choose.. Now I’m the cast out.. I’m OK with tht.. Peace over Lies..manipulation..deceptive..grooming to live as they tell u.. may WE ALL find PEACE 🥺🙏
Shari is the normal one in this family, getting out of this connexion cult, got therapy and trying to report her Mom to CPS for YEARS!!! She is the one good candidate for having 4 of her younger siblings under her care. Their parents Ruby and Kevin both are abusive and controlling narcissistic people who both need to be in prison and NOT have custody of the kids.
It’s ridiculous how the father has no charges, no responsibilities at all, about the well-being of his own kids. The whole world still thinks kids are made by only one person and the other who is away is totally free. Both parents should always be responsible for what happens to their children, no matter the situation, and if one is away, the worst for them.
Why would a father want his oldest child arrested? Seems he should look at himself as didnt he have some knowledge of what was going on? It would be even harder on a child not knowing what or how would be best for her to do in the situation ? I don’t understand his desire to to turn on his daughter. 😢
Just shows how far the parents will go to try and punish their kids for anything… he didn’t even really examine the contents of the boxes when they were handed back and he was asked if everything was there… he just wanted her punished for no reason. For all we know the kids have been threatened to pretend to be getting along with their dad in from of the cameras. I don’t buy the narrative that they are mending their relationship.
10.40 they’re all walking but it looks as though they’re walking as a group, not walking together. If have thought Kevin would walk next to Shari, it didn’t look like they were having a conversation. I think his attorney is saying what he thinks people want to hear, not what Kevin is actually doing or the truth. I don’t trust Kevin at all
It isn’t a stretch to say that without the kids, nobody would have watched any of Ruby & Kevin’s articles, and they wouldn’t have had the large house and all of their possessions on Kevin’s salary as a professor at BYU and Ruby’s job as a stay at home mother of 6 kids. That being said, it would be a fair argument to say that Shari and the rest of the kids owned the electronic items and Kevin was stealing them from Shari!
I’ve been perusal some of the older articles on Sharis account and have been realizing how little decor the family house had. I mean a family of 6 and none of the kids have ark work hung up? nothing in the rooms or on the walls. It seems almost like a staged house. the kids always look worn out and sick.. truly devastating how much Ruby and Kevin messed those children up
Shari did post in her IG stories after the Finally post. It was maybe within the next couple days later and she was asking people to help find any significant articles and information that may be helpful to the case. She had a google sheet/drive that was set up and given to her. I believe it’s still up on the Reddit forum. So she truly was reaching out to the followers for help. It was a big deal and many community members were helping document info and finding clips online since the website was deactivated long ago.
Every now and again when I watched their articles I obviously knew their parents were crazy but as one of the oldest I’ve always had hope for her. Hope that when she gets older she’ll be able to get out into the world and realize kids shouldn’t be treated like her and siblings were. Glad to know that she’s doing ok and trying to protect her siblings.
There is no doubt in my mind she took the computers and tablets to see what she could find, she didn’t want to depend on whatever the ‘investigation’ found. Beautiful girl and I hope she makes the most of all of this turmoil, hope she has the wisdom in the future to realize that God has everything to do with getting her through this, not just a part.
It is disingenuous using a article posted to her IG from January as if it’s a recent response. I also wouldn’t trust anything Kevin Franke’s attorney says, especially when it comes to Shari. I do think it’s interesting though that Shari’s IG post uses similar language to Kevin’s recent statement about everything being upside down.
Wish she’d get away from the LDS for a while, and just take a step back. After all they set the family up with Hildebrandt which seemed to push Ruby all the way over the edge. Who knew that pushing those children into cleaning Pam’s house, and possibly others, was more important than an education. Ruby’s sisters seem a little bit creepy as well. Is this how they were treated by their parents as well?
The dad was obviously abusive as well. He was there when the kids were starved and deprived of a bed to sleep in. He condoned that. What else did he go along with? His wanting to press charges against his own child for robbery tells a story all in itself. Put him behind bars with his narcissist wife and her monstrous joke of a therapist.
Absolutely ‘Team Shari’, and always have been. Team Franke Children! SO happy that justice has finally come for that piece of work breeder of a mother. No apologies, she was never a parent, she was never a Mom. I believe her husband should also be held accountable. Ruby Franke deserves to sit in jail for a very, very, very, VERY long time. Like, decades long.
this sidebar bs is really making the website suck. I used to click on almost every article with an interesting headline from law&crime, knowing it would be an interesting article. But now we get these 20+ minute articles where it’s just douchebags having an incredibly boring and uninsightful discussion about a news story, instead of giving a brief and interesting report on the story.
The article of the older son saying he pretended they were going on a trip to his younger bro only for it to be a “joke” was demented. These kids are going to have a LOT of toxic cycles they’re going to have to recognize and break. If they even have enough humility to do so. They will carry on abusive traits or recognize and eliminate them. Very sad.
I think that the lawyer sat Sherry down and told her her siblings could either be separated in foster care indefinitely or they might have a chance to go back with just their dad and be reunited and her comments on it could make her break it so she decided to go with having the siblings together and is stratigically tolerating Kevin. I thinks that’s why Kevin and Ruby split up again also. Sherry is looking for the best case scenario. Kevin I don’t trust to not bring Ruby back in later if at all possible
Ok, I’m sorry but I have to say your sponsor is crappy. I called them a few years ago because I had an accident with injuries. They refused to take the case because it would have required them to do some investigation and possibly go to trial. Their line is “Fore The People” I say it should be “For the low-hanging fruit”, if it’s not easy they say no.
The men sharing this story are being incredibly insensitive to the victims/children involved. Talking about Shari “it’s about time” regarding her post. Let’s get something straight, these victims of Ruby don’t owe the media or public ANYTHING. PERIOD. Blur the children’s faces, and stop treating victims like they owe anyone ANYTHING. Be respectful.
The courts must give the public enough information to satisfy us that justice has been served, that the Franke children are protected and that hildebrand will no longer be able to operate as an abusive therapist – as evidenced by Jody’s other victims who had the bravery to speak out. It is a matter of public interest!
My grandma was a nurse and had 6 kids and 19 grandkids. I asked her after I had my first child for advice. She said I have one thing for you to remember. She was joking but this story has me thinking. She said treat your kids right because one day they pick your old folks home! Looks like these mom’s choices might have them living in the gray bar motel!
I just can’t imagine what they thought when Mommy Dearest would make these articles of this outrageous parenting discipline for the world to see and them having to know that Ruby is making a ton of money from it. How alone and abandoned did they feel thinking the world was condoning this behavior? Even though it seems there were people behind the scenes trying to help. They likely didn’t know that.
I think the Comment “Finally” was about her Mother being Arrested! “What I’m going thru” indicates that its a Terrible Strain to know that the 2 younger siblings were actually treated the way they were & also the fact they’d been in Hospital bc they were Emaciated, Wounded & kept Locked Up in the basement! The Fact that whether the Children would continue in CPS Custody would be be determined by a Court proceeding, is also Tramatic! Self Blame & Survivor’s Guilt is part of the Emotions she’s probably going thru, as well as, possible Nightmares! The Younger children will need Counseling for quite a few months, if not years bc of the Trauma they’ve Endured! There are all kinds of Emotions the Victims & their Families face after something like this! But Im glad that she’s Comforted by her Faith & the Support she’s receiving from other Church Mbrs & friends! I pray that her father, brother & younger Siblings will get all the Help & Comfort they need as well!
THE LAWYERS ARE WALKING TOGETHER (Probably Mormon Church BROTHERS) !Kevin kicked chad out of his apartment & wanted Sheri arrested. Did anyone see the kids and Kevin Hugging? I DON’T THINK SO!i Dubt, Sheri & Chad had anything to do with “walking into court with “Dad” The lawyers staged the court house enterence.
Still uncomfortable with the fact that the father isn’t being charged himself. The type of things these kids were dealing with was happening long before he moved out. I have seen some articles where he is chiming in and agreeing with the manipulative and abusive punishments of his children. I even heard him trying to justify it. So the fact that he is getting off scott free for that just doesn’t sit right with me at all.
Praying for Shari and her siblings. Regardless it has to be a lot on Shari and if she does get her siblings she is going to need help. Im sure she doesn’t want their family separated but I hope she has others (her aunts) that will help her. I’m a lil skeptical of dad but I truly hope everything works out for the kids.
This article is a joke, they make the title seem like the daughter is about to speak on her mother, and all the abuse allegations. They even put like a 12 second clip of the daughter speaking about she’s ready to talk after some healing. But the daughter does not speak on this article about her mother at all. Very deceiving!
Why would a dad accuse their own daughter of robbery like common things are not adding up. All of this is his fault why would you leave these kids alone with her not just that he didn’t even visit I could imagine how their kids must feel like and it’s a good thing he doesn’t know where their at because if it were me I would want to go back to that bad father
Hope the judge will make Ruby and Kevin refund Shari for the legal expenses, she is already taking so much upon herself, doesn’t need the burden of paying a lawyer. It won’t fix the trauma but at lest it will help a little not having to worry about money. The house should also go to her if she is planning to get her sibilings’ custody.
Kids dearly want their parents love and approval. She’s only 20, has likely faced psychological abuse her entire life, and doesn’t fully understand all the impacts. I’m sure she has many conflicting thoughts and a lot of confusion. Her father is an enabler to Ruby, at the children’s and his own suffering. He’s and adult and should have the consequences of his actions.
I am worried that if Kevin Franke gets custody of the children that he will try to convince them that their mother was doing everything “From a place of love,” and that the abuse was all because of Jodi. This could damage them even more. As a former Marriage and Family Therapist I worry they won’t hear, over and over, how unacceptable, on every level, all of their abuse was: Physical, mental and emotional and that they were Not at fault in any way, shape or form.
Ruby’s sisters are suspect in their own behavior . They were in contact with Ruby and Kevin . Ruby’s sisters are only attempting to distance themselves from this horror . When Ruby was first arrested, Ruby’s sisters FIRST concern was ” this is going to hurt our brand and hurt our revenue of our own YT websiteS.” Sorry but Ruby didn’t become this abusive person in a vacuum . She was this way even before Jodi came into the picture.
I just became aware of this story within the last few weeks. In all media I have seen, and throughout all interviews, I have to say that Brian Schnee of KUTV has really presented himself as a sincere journalist, seeking only to get to the truth. In all his interviews (including with Jodi Hildebrandt’s niece), he’s taken great care not to sensationalize and only present facts. This is rare in journalism, and I’m very impressed.
We will not know anything about Juvenile Court and the child custody case until all is settled as this has been sealed by the judge. Depending on Utah law, and whether state criminal cases are televised (from what I see some states do) we may find out about the criminal cases. I wouldn’t read too much into the father/daughter interaction outside custody court. CPS and Shari have custody of the younger and older siblings respectively. Since that is so and Kevin is hoping to gain custody, some evidence of normal conversational contact is needed and inevitable. The ultimate custody decision is up to the state and CPS as agents will be taking their time to make good decisions given the case has received Governor comment and the public view that police and CPS have dropped the ball on this case. For myself, I have to see that justice is served. ❤️from Australia 🇦🇺.
I watched the dad’s whole interview! What a piece of sh*+, he needs to go to jail. He didn’t even check in on his kids for a year. This all could’ve been prevented if he had grown a pair and Insisted on being part of his kids lives. He enabled all of this with his chosen absence. I’m not a religious man but I pray to what ever gods out there he never gets his children back. He doesn’t deserve them or there love.!!!