Ruby Franke, a former YouTube sensation, and her ex-husband Kevin, known for their vlogging channel 8 Passengers, found themselves in the midst of a scandal that shocked the world. On February 20, Ruby was sentenced to up to 60 years in prison for child abuse that was likened to conditions in a concentration camp. The details surrounding this case shed light on a story of family dynamics gone terribly wrong.
Who is Kevin Franke?
Kevin Franke, the estranged husband of Ruby Franke, joined her in documenting their lives raising six children on their YouTube channel, 8 Passengers, in January 2015. The channel amassed 2.5 million followers at its peak before being taken down due to mounting concerns about the family’s strict Mormon household. While Ruby faced charges related to child abuse, Kevin, despite appearing in many videos, was not implicated in any crimes.
Kevin’s lawyer, Randy Kester, portrayed him as a gentle individual who had no involvement in the abuse suffered by the children. Despite being separated from Ruby before her arrest, Kevin filed for divorce and expressed his desire to regain custody of his children. His focus remains on rehabilitating the children so they can return to a normal life as soon as possible. Kevin’s professional career, once an assistant professor of civil engineering at Brigham Young University, remains elusive as he keeps a low profile.
Who is Ruby Franke?
Ruby Franke, the former host of 8 Passengers, saw her channel mysteriously disappear in 2022 amidst growing concerns about her disciplinary methods. Reports surfaced in 2020 about one of the Franke children sleeping on a bean bag for months, shedding light on the intensity of Franke’s parenting style.
After separating from Kevin in 2022, Ruby launched a parent counseling service called ConneXions with her business partner, Jodi Hildebrandt. The program aimed to help individuals flourish in relationships and dispel distortions for a life of truth and freedom. Hildebrandt played a significant role in the separation of Ruby and Kevin, advising them to split as they were enabling each other. Kevin’s lawyer revealed that Hildebrandt instructed Kevin to cut off communication with his family, limiting Ruby’s contact with him to only a few times.
On August 30, 2023, Ruby Franke was arrested and charged with six counts of aggravated child abuse. The arrest followed the escape of her 12-year-old son, who sought help from neighbors due to extreme malnourishment and wounds from being tied up. Franke’s 10-year-old daughter was also found in a similarly distressed state. Following a guilty plea to four counts of second-degree child abuse, Ruby was sentenced to up to 60 years in prison on February 20, 2024.
The devastating saga of Ruby Franke and Kevin reveals the complex layers of family life, the consequences of abusive behavior, and the pursuit of justice for innocent victims. The story serves as a stark reminder of the importance of safeguarding the well-being of children and the repercussions of neglecting this fundamental duty.
