Where Are Ruby Franke’s Children Now? What Happened to the 8 Passengers Kids After the Shocking Abuse Case That Sent Their Mother to Prison

From YouTube fame to state intervention, trauma recovery, and rebuilding life away from the camera, here is a complete update on Ruby Franke’s six children following her 2023 arrest

Once celebrated as a wholesome family vlogger, Ruby Franke is now serving a lengthy prison sentence after one of the most disturbing child abuse cases linked to influencer culture. Behind the headlines are six children whose lives were shaped, exposed, and ultimately harmed by years of online family vlogging.

Here is a full breakdown of what happened to Shari, Chad, Abby, Julie, Russell, and Eve, and where they are now, based entirely on verified reporting from PEOPLE and court records.

How Ruby Franke rose to fame with her six children

Ruby Franke began uploading family videos in 2015 on her YouTube channel 8 Passengers, documenting life with her husband Kevin Franke and their six children in Springville, Utah.

The channel quickly exploded in popularity, amassing more than 2.5 million subscribers and over one billion views within five years. The content featured everyday family life, homeschooling, discipline, puberty, and deeply personal moments involving the children.

In early videos, Franke openly described her dream of being a stay-at-home mother with many children. However, as the channel grew, so did concerns about how much of the children’s private lives were being exposed to the public.

Early warning signs and public concern

By 2020, viewers began raising alarms over Franke’s harsh and extreme parenting style. Clips circulated showing punishments such as withholding food, refusing to bring lunch to school, forcing children to sleep on bathroom floors, removing beds for months, and publicly humiliating the children on camera.

An online petition calling for child protective services to investigate gained over 18,000 signatures. Utah’s Division of Child and Family Services visited the home and interviewed the children but ultimately closed the case due to insufficient evidence at the time.

Both Ruby and Kevin Franke defended their parenting publicly, dismissing criticism and insisting they were demonstrating responsible discipline.

The influence of Jodi Hildebrandt and family collapse

Things escalated significantly after Ruby Franke partnered with controversial therapist Jodi Hildebrandt, the founder of ConneXions and co-creator of the “Moms of Truth” platform.

Under Hildebrandt’s influence, Franke separated from her husband, cut off his contact with the children, and moved into Hildebrandt’s home in Ivins, Utah, roughly 300 miles from the family’s original residence.

During this time, Franke allegedly left her teenage daughters Abby and Julie alone in Springville for weeks at a time. Neighbors contacted police multiple times in 2022 due to concerns for the children’s welfare.

The escape that exposed the abuse

On August 30, 2023, the situation came to a breaking point. Franke’s youngest son, then 12-year-old Russell, escaped from Hildebrandt’s home and went to a neighbor’s house seeking help.

Authorities found Russell and his sister Eve in an emaciated and malnourished state, with open wounds, duct tape and signs of restraint on their arms and legs. Both children required immediate medical attention.

Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt were arrested on multiple counts of aggravated child abuse.

What Ruby Franke was convicted of

Court documents revealed horrifying details of the abuse endured by Russell and Eve. According to Franke’s own journal and prosecutor statements, the children were subjected to forced physical labor, food deprivation for days, exposure to extreme heat, being restrained with ropes and handcuffs, and being labeled “evil” and “manipulative.”

Franke later pleaded guilty to four counts of aggravated child abuse on December 19, 2023. In February 2024, she was sentenced to 4 to 60 years in prison, with Utah law limiting her maximum possible time served to 30 years.

During sentencing, Franke apologized to her children, acknowledging the harm she caused.

How the children responded to the arrest

Shari Franke

The oldest child, Shari Franke, was no longer living at home at the time of the arrest. She publicly supported the prosecution and stated that she and her family had tried for years to alert authorities.

Shari has since become a vocal advocate against family vlogging. In October 2024, she testified before Utah lawmakers, calling herself a victim of the industry and stating that family vlogging “ruined my innocence.”

She criticized Lifetime’s dramatized film about her family, saying it retraumatized her siblings and that none of the children were consulted or compensated.

Shari has written a memoir titled The House of My Mother: A Daughter’s Quest for Freedom, detailing her experience growing up under constant filming and control.

Chad Franke

The second-oldest child, Chad Franke, also spoke out following his mother’s conviction. He posted on social media marking the anniversary of her arrest and has since focused on building his own life.

In 2024, Chad revealed he had enrolled in real estate school and regularly shares updates about his hobbies, travel, and personal growth.

Where the four youngest children are now

The four minor children Abby, Julie, Russell, and Eve were taken into custody by Utah’s Division of Child and Family Services following the arrests.

Court filings confirm that Russell and Eve underwent extensive medical treatment and psychological evaluations. All four children continue to receive ongoing mental health care for the emotional and psychological trauma they suffered.

In March 2025, Ruby and Kevin Franke’s divorce was finalized. Kevin was granted full custody of the four minors. As part of the agreement, any child support Ruby owed was considered already paid.

Legal filings state that the children remain in professional care and recovery programs.

Kevin Franke’s role today

Kevin Franke has emphasized rebuilding relationships and prioritizing his children’s well-being rather than engaging in public blame.

In a 2025 interview, he said his life is slowly returning to a “comfortable normal,” though healing remains an ongoing process.

His attorney stated that Kevin’s focus has been on stability, recovery, and doing what is best for the children.

The broader impact of the case

The Ruby Franke case has become a defining example in debates surrounding family vlogging and child influencer protections. Documentaries released by Hulu and Netflix have examined both Franke’s actions and the broader systems that allowed the abuse to continue unchecked.

Shari Franke and other advocates continue to push for legislation regulating monetized family content to protect children from exploitation and long-term harm.

Where things stand now

Ruby Franke remains incarcerated and will be eligible for parole only after serving a significant portion of her sentence. Her two eldest children live independently and continue to speak out. Her four youngest children are in their father’s custody and receiving ongoing professional care, away from public view and online platforms.

Once filmed daily for millions of strangers, the Franke children are now rebuilding their lives in privacy. Their story stands as a sobering reminder of the hidden costs of turning childhood into content and the lasting consequences when protection fails.