Ruby Franke was a popular YouTube content creator who ran the family vlogging channel “8 Passengers” alongside her husband Kevin Franke, documenting the lives of their six children to an audience of millions of subscribers. In 2023, she was arrested on felony child abuse charges following a disturbing incident in which one of her children escaped from a home in Ivins, Utah, and sought help from a neighbour. This article covers what Ruby Franke was sentenced to, the charges she faced, and the details of the case.
The Arrest and Charges Against Ruby Franke
In August 2023, Ruby Franke and her business partner Jodi Hildebrandt were arrested after one of Franke’s children, a 12-year-old boy, escaped from Hildebrandt’s home in Ivins, Utah, with rope tied around his wrists and ankles and visible wounds consistent with abuse and malnourishment. Authorities found a second child, a 10-year-old girl, at the same property in a similarly malnourished state. Both Franke and Hildebrandt were charged with six counts each of aggravated child abuse, all of which were felony offences under Utah law.
Ruby Franke Pleads Guilty
In November 2023, Ruby Franke pleaded guilty to four of the six counts of aggravated child abuse. The plea agreement meant that two of the original charges were dismissed. In entering her guilty plea, Franke acknowledged the serious harm caused to her children and expressed remorse in court. Her co-defendant Jodi Hildebrandt, who ran a counselling practice called ConneXions Classroom that prosecutors said promoted extreme and abusive disciplinary methods, also pleaded guilty to four counts of aggravated child abuse on the same day.
What Sentence Did Ruby Franke Receive?
In February 2024, Ruby Franke was sentenced in Washington County, Utah, to four consecutive terms of one to fifteen years in state prison — one term for each of the four guilty pleas. The consecutive nature of the sentences means they run back to back rather than simultaneously, giving Franke a combined sentence of four to sixty years. The judge cited the severity and duration of the abuse in imposing consecutive rather than concurrent terms. Jodi Hildebrandt received an identical sentence on the same day.
What Did the Abuse Involve?
Court documents and victim impact statements revealed that the abuse inflicted on the Franke children included food and water deprivation, being forced to sleep on hard floors or outside, being bound with ropes, and being subjected to extreme punishment regimes that Franke and Hildebrandt characterised as spiritually motivated discipline. Medical professionals who examined the children described signs of significant physical abuse and long-term malnourishment. The case shocked many who had followed the 8 Passengers channel, which had presented the family as a wholesome, faith-centred household.
The Role of ConneXions Classroom
Jodi Hildebrandt ran a business called ConneXions Classroom that offered counselling, courses, and retreats based on a philosophy prosecutors and mental health experts characterised as psychologically harmful. Ruby Franke had become a vocal advocate for Hildebrandt’s methods, and the two had launched a joint YouTube channel in 2022. Investigators concluded that Hildebrandt’s influence had played a significant role in the escalation of the abuse. ConneXions Classroom was shut down following the arrests.
Where Are Ruby Franke’s Children Now?
The six Franke children were removed from their parents’ custody following the arrests. Some had already been living separately from their parents in the period leading up to the incident. The children’s welfare has been a central concern throughout the legal proceedings. Several of the children submitted victim impact statements to the court, and some spoke publicly about the abuse they had endured. Their ongoing custody and support arrangements are handled through the Utah child welfare system and are not made public.
Ruby Franke Earliest Possible Release Date
With a sentence of four to sixty years served consecutively, Ruby Franke could potentially be considered for parole after serving a minimum portion of each of the four terms. However, given the severity of the abuse, the number of victims, and the length of time over which it occurred, any early release would depend on the discretion of the Utah Board of Pardons and Parole. She is serving her sentence in a Utah state correctional facility and can be located through the Utah Department of Corrections offender search tool.