The Franke Family: A Complete List Of The 8 Passengers Kids Names And Their Life Today

The Franke family, once the center of the massively popular "8 Passengers" YouTube channel, has been thrust into the spotlight again, but for a tragic and shocking reason. As of late 2024, the primary curiosity surrounding the family revolves around the six children—Shari, Chad, Abby, Julie, Russell, and Eve—following their mother, Ruby Franke's, conviction for aggravated child abuse. The names of the children are now inextricably linked to a story of alleged abuse, the downfall of a YouTube momfluencer, and a complex custody battle, making their current well-being the most pressing and frequently searched topic. The "8 Passengers" channel, which was deleted in 2023, documented the lives of Ruby and Kevin Franke and their six children, amassing millions of subscribers before its abrupt end. This article provides a complete, updated list of the Franke children's names and the most recent public information available regarding their lives, legal status, and personal journeys since the arrest of Ruby Franke and her business partner, Jodi Hildebrandt. The information here reflects the latest public updates and legal proceedings as of December 2025.

The Complete Franke Family Biography: Names and Birth Order

The Franke family consists of six children, who were all featured prominently on the "8 Passengers" YouTube channel. The channel's name itself was a reference to the eight members of the family: Ruby, Kevin, and their six children. The children's lives, from homeschooling to strict parenting rules, were broadcast to the world, creating a massive digital footprint that has become part of the public record. The six Franke children, listed in order of birth, are:

• Shari Franke: The eldest child and only daughter for many years, Shari has become the most public voice regarding the family’s situation. She was already an adult and estranged from her mother at the time of the arrest.
• Chad Franke: The eldest son, Chad was frequently the subject of controversial parenting decisions documented on the channel. He has since provided public updates on his life post-channel.
• Abby Franke: The third oldest child. She was one of the children involved in the custody transfer following the criminal proceedings.
• Julie Franke: The fourth child. She and her siblings were at the center of the shocking events that led to the arrest of their mother.
• Russell Franke: The fifth child and second youngest son. His name, along with his younger sister's, became known globally due to the severity of the charges.
• Eve Franke: The youngest child of the family. She was one of the two children found in an emaciated and injured state, which triggered the investigation.

Detailed Profiles of the Franke Children

While the exact current ages of the younger children are kept private for their protection, the publicly known details of the eldest two have provided insight into the family’s dynamic.

Shari Franke (Eldest Daughter)

Shari Franke is the oldest of the Franke children, born around 2003, making her approximately 22 years old as of late 2025. She was a student at Brigham Young University (BYU) and had already distanced herself from her mother and the family channel, "8 Passengers," before the 2023 arrest. Shari has been an outspoken advocate for her younger siblings and has used her platform to shed light on her traumatic upbringing. In a significant update, Shari released a tell-all memoir detailing the alleged abuse she suffered and her perspective on the family's turbulent life, which has been a major source of fresh information for the public.

Chad Franke (Eldest Son)

Chad Franke, born on February 2, 2005, is approximately 20 years old as of 2025. He gained attention on the channel for being sent away from the family home for an extended period, a controversial parenting decision that drew early criticism to Ruby Franke. Following his mother's arrest, Chad has shared heartwarming updates about his life and his efforts to move forward, often expressing gratitude for the support he and his siblings have received.

Abby, Julie, Russell, and Eve Franke (The Younger Children)

These four children were the primary victims in the aggravated child abuse case. They are minors, and their current ages range from pre-teen to mid-teens. The decision to keep their current lives private is a crucial step in their healing process. The focus on their names—Abby, Julie, Russell, and Eve—serves as a reminder of the severity of the crimes committed against them. Following the sentencing of Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt, the younger children were placed in the custody of the state and later reunited with their father, Kevin Franke, or other family members, as part of the ongoing custody arrangement.

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The Shocking Aftermath: Where Are the Franke Children Now?

The arrest of Ruby Franke in August 2023 marked the definitive end of the "8 Passengers" era and began a new, private chapter for the children. The most current updates revolve around their legal and personal recovery.

Custody and Legal Status

The younger children, including Abby, Julie, Russell, and Eve, were immediately placed into the care of the Utah Division of Child and Family Services (DCFS) following the horrific discovery of the emaciated and injured 12-year-old Russell Franke and 10-year-old Eve Franke. Their father, Kevin Franke, who was estranged from Ruby at the time of the arrest, quickly sought custody. The latest reports confirm that Kevin Franke has regained custody of the minor children, and the family is working to rebuild their lives away from the public eye.

The Eldest Children’s Public Journey

The adult children, Shari and Chad, have taken different approaches to navigating their newfound freedom and public scrutiny. Shari Franke has been the most vocal, utilizing her social media platforms to express relief and support for the criminal proceedings against her mother and Jodi Hildebrandt. Her decision to publish a memoir is a significant step in reclaiming her narrative and advocating for other victims of alleged abuse within the "momfluencer" culture.

Chad Franke, while less vocal than Shari, has also shared positive updates, indicating a focus on his personal life and recovery. The public has responded overwhelmingly with support for both Shari and Chad as they navigate the complexities of their family's devastating public collapse.

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From YouTube Stardom to Child Abuse Conviction

The story of the Franke children cannot be told without acknowledging the context of their mother's conviction. This topical authority is crucial for understanding the full gravity of the situation.

The Role of ConneXions and Jodi Hildebrandt

Ruby Franke's descent into the abusive behavior that led to her conviction is closely tied to her association with Jodi Hildebrandt and the "ConneXions" life-coaching service. The two women preached a strict, often harsh, interpretation of personal accountability and religious principles, which many critics argued was a form of spiritual and emotional abuse. Hildebrandt was Franke's business partner and co-defendant in the aggravated child abuse case, receiving the same sentence of four consecutive prison terms.

The Legal Outcome and Its Impact

In December 2023, Ruby Franke pleaded guilty to four counts of second-degree felony aggravated child abuse. She was subsequently sentenced to four consecutive prison terms of 1 to 15 years. This conviction was a landmark case that drew global attention to the dangers of exploiting children on family vlogging channels. The legal outcome provided a definitive closure to the criminal case, allowing the focus to shift entirely to the emotional and physical recovery of the Franke children: Shari, Chad, Abby, Julie, Russell, and Eve.

The Franke Family’s Future in Utah

With Ruby Franke incarcerated and the "8 Passengers" channel defunct, the family is attempting to establish a new, private life in Utah. Kevin Franke and Ruby Franke finalized their divorce in 2024, granting Kevin full ownership of the family home and control over the children's future. The children, now free from the constant surveillance of a YouTube camera and the alleged abuse, are on a path toward healing, supported by their father and older siblings. The names of the Franke children—Shari, Chad, Abby, Julie, Russell, and Eve—will forever be a cautionary tale in the age of "momfluencers" and digital parenting.

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