8 Shocking Truths Revealed In 'Devil In The Family': The Unseen Fall Of Ruby Franke

The façade of the perfect YouTube family, once broadcast to millions of subscribers on the "8 Passengers" channel, has been violently shattered, revealing a nightmare of abuse and control. As of December 18, 2025, the true crime world is still reeling from the shocking case of Ruby Franke, the Utah "momfluencer" whose arrest and subsequent conviction for aggravated child abuse exposed the disturbing reality behind her meticulously curated online persona. The Hulu docuseries, Devil in the Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke, dives deep into this harrowing transformation, using unseen footage and insider interviews to chronicle her descent from a strict but popular vlogger to a convicted felon facing up to 30 years in prison.

This comprehensive article will explore the eight most compelling and disturbing truths revealed by the investigation and the documentary, shedding light on the insidious influence of her business partner, Jodi Hildebrandt, the timeline of the abuse, and the lasting impact on the Franke children. The story of Ruby Franke is not just a true crime sensation; it’s a chilling cautionary tale about the dark side of social media fame, the dangers of extreme parenting philosophies, and the devastating consequences of unchecked psychological manipulation.

The Shocking Profile: Who is Ruby Franke?

The central figure in this disturbing saga is Ruby Franke, a mother of six who leveraged her family life into a massive YouTube empire. Her profile is a stark contrast between her public image and her private actions.

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• Full Name: Ruby Franke (née Ruby Franke)
• Born: January 18, 1982
• Place of Birth: Utah, United States
• Spouse: Kevin Franke (estranged)
• Children: Six (Shari, Chad, Abby, Julie, Russell, Eve)
• YouTube Channel: 8 Passengers (Deactivated, formerly over 2.5 million subscribers)
• Content Focus: Family vlogging, parenting advice, daily life, and strict discipline.
• Controversies (Pre-Arrest): Accused of extreme and punitive parenting methods by viewers, including withholding food and Christmas presents.
• Business Partner: Jodi Hildebrandt (Founder of the ConneXions self-improvement program).
• Date of Arrest: August 30, 2023, in Ivins, Utah.
• Charges: Six counts of felony aggravated child abuse (later pleaded guilty to four counts).
• Sentence: Up to 30 years in prison (four consecutive terms of 1 to 15 years).

Franke's life trajectory from a successful "momfluencer" to an inmate is a devastating study in how a public persona can mask a private horror. Her channel, "8 Passengers," showcased a seemingly wholesome, large Mormon family, but the reality behind the camera was a systematic pattern of abuse.

The Two Faces of '8 Passengers': From YouTube Stardom to Dark Allegations

The "8 Passengers" YouTube channel launched Ruby Franke into the spotlight, making her a figurehead in the family vlogging community. Her content, which focused heavily on her strict parenting style, initially drew viewers interested in her methods, but eventually began to raise serious red flags among the public and her own family.

1. The Rise of the 'Momfluencer' Empire

Ruby Franke and her husband, Kevin Franke, began documenting their lives in 2015. The channel's success was built on the visibility of their six children and Ruby’s strong, often controversial, opinions on discipline. They amassed millions of subscribers, transforming their family life into a lucrative business. This public platform, however, became the very tool that would later expose her darkest secrets.

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2. The Controversial 'ConneXions' Influence

A pivotal moment in Ruby's descent was her partnership with Jodi Hildebrandt, a self-proclaimed mental health counselor and founder of the organization ConneXions. Franke became heavily involved with ConneXions, promoting its extreme, and often punitive, parenting philosophies. This relationship is a key focus of the Devil in the Family docuseries, which explores how Hildebrandt’s influence seemingly intensified Franke’s already harsh disciplinary methods into outright abuse.

3. The Early Warning Signs Ignored by Authorities

Long before the 2023 arrest, viewers of the "8 Passengers" channel voiced concerns over Franke's treatment of her children. Incidents, such as her son Chad being forced to sleep on a beanbag for months and the documented withholding of food, sparked petitions and calls to Child Protective Services (CPS). The docuseries highlights these early warning signs and the tragic failure of the system to intervene effectively until a critical, near-fatal incident occurred.

The Unseen Horror: Details of the Aggravated Child Abuse Case and Conviction

The true horror of the Franke home was only brought to light in August 2023, when one of Franke's young sons, emaciated and covered in wounds, escaped Hildebrandt’s residence and sought help from a neighbor. The details that emerged from the subsequent investigation were sickening and formed the basis of the aggravated child abuse charges.

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4. The Escape and Immediate Discovery

The case broke when Franke’s 12-year-old son, Russell, climbed out of a window at Jodi Hildebrandt's home in Ivins, Utah, and ran to a nearby house. The neighbor immediately called the police after observing the child's severe state: he was malnourished, had deep lacerations from being tied up with rope, and was dehydrated. The police found Franke's 10-year-old daughter, Eve, in a similar condition inside the house.

5. The Systematic Torture and Deprivation

The investigation revealed that Franke and Hildebrandt engaged in a pattern of systematic torture. The children were subjected to horrific physical and emotional abuse, including:

• Being regularly denied adequate food and water.
• Being forced to perform strenuous physical labor in extreme heat without proper hydration.
• Being tied up with rope, leading to open wounds and abrasions.
• Being isolated and kept away from other family members for extended periods.
• Being forced to sleep on hard surfaces without blankets.

Both Franke and Hildebrandt admitted that they believed the abuse was necessary for the children to repent and follow the "Shunning" doctrine of ConneXions.

6. The Role of Jodi Hildebrandt and the Plea Deal

Jodi Hildebrandt was arrested alongside Franke. The docuseries meticulously details Hildebrandt’s controlling and manipulative role, positioning her as the primary architect of the abuse under the guise of therapy and spiritual guidance. Both women pleaded guilty to four counts of second-degree felony aggravated child abuse, a move that avoided a lengthy trial but ensured a significant prison sentence.

7. The Impact on the Franke Family and Shari Franke's Activism

The fallout has been devastating for the entire Franke family. Ruby’s eldest daughter, Shari Franke, had already publicly distanced herself from her mother and the ConneXions organization. Shari played a crucial, though indirect, role by signaling her support for the authorities and her younger siblings, stating that justice was being served. The other children were placed in the care of the Utah Division of Child and Family Services. Kevin Franke, Ruby's estranged husband, has since filed for divorce.

The Docuseries: "Devil in the Family" and Its Impact

The Hulu docuseries, Devil in the Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke, directed by Olly Lambert, premiered to significant media attention. It is a three-part series that aims to provide a definitive account of the case, going beyond the headlines.

8. Unseen Footage and Definitive Evidence

The documentary is praised for its "jaw-dropping" nature, utilizing never-before-seen footage from the "8 Passengers" archive, police bodycam footage, and exclusive interviews with individuals close to the case, including family members, neighbors, and legal experts. It presents a clear, chronological narrative of how a mother's devotion to an extreme ideology led her to commit unspeakable acts against her own children. The series serves as a powerful piece of evidence, not just a dramatic retelling.

The documentary's release on Hulu has sparked renewed conversations about the ethics of family vlogging, the responsibility of online platforms like YouTube, and the need for greater scrutiny of controversial "self-help" groups like ConneXions. It ensures that the horrific case of Ruby Franke remains a central, cautionary true crime story for years to come.

The case of Ruby Franke and the revelations in the Devil in the Family docuseries offer a profound and disturbing look at the dangers lurking behind the polished screens of social media. The story is a somber reminder that the most sinister acts can occur under the guise of parental authority and spiritual guidance. Ruby Franke’s conviction, and the subsequent media coverage, underscore the necessity of vigilance against manipulation and abuse, regardless of the perpetrator's public fame. The legacy of the "8 Passengers" is now permanently marked by the shadow of the 'devil in the family'—a chilling conclusion to a modern American tragedy.