Ruby Franke Now: 5 Shocking Updates On Her Prison Sentence, Ex-Husband, And Daughter's Memoir

The saga of former family vlogger Ruby Franke continues to unfold, with current updates in December 2025 revealing the lasting consequences of her conviction for aggravated child abuse. Once a prominent figure on YouTube through her "8 Passengers" channel, Franke's dramatic fall from grace has captivated and horrified the public, leading to a lengthy prison sentence that could span decades. The key focus now is on her life behind bars, the legal attempts by her accomplice, and the public emergence of her children. The latest information, including developments from early 2025, provides a fresh look into the aftermath of the case, which saw Franke and her business partner, Jodi Hildebrandt, sentenced to four consecutive terms of one to 15 years in prison. The story is far from over, with new details emerging about the Franke family's healing process and the media's continued interest in the shocking case.

Ruby Franke: A Biography and Case File Timeline

The swift and dramatic downfall of Ruby Franke, from a celebrated "mommy blogger" to a convicted felon, is rooted in her public life and the subsequent shocking revelations of abuse.

• Full Name: Ruby Franke (née Griffiths)
• Date of Birth: January 18, 1982
• Age (as of Dec 2025): 43
• Spouse: Kevin Franke (estranged/divorced)
• Children: Six (Shari, Chad, Abby, Julie, Russell, and Eve)
• YouTube Channel: 8 Passengers (inactive, content removed)
• Business Partner/Accomplice: Jodi Hildebrandt (of ConneXions Classroom)
• Arrest Date: August 30, 2023, in Ivins, Utah
• Charges: Six counts of felony aggravated child abuse (reduced to four counts upon plea)
• Guilty Plea: December 2023 (four counts of aggravated child abuse)
• Sentencing Date: February 2024
• Sentence: Four consecutive terms of one to 15 years, totaling a potential 4 to 60 years in prison
• Current Status: Incarcerated in a Utah State Prison facility

Franke gained massive popularity through her YouTube channel, which documented the lives of her large, Mormon family. However, viewers began noticing increasingly strict and controversial parenting methods, which eventually escalated into criminal abuse. The arrest occurred after her 12-year-old son, Russell, escaped from Jodi Hildebrandt's home and sought help from a neighbor, showing signs of severe malnutrition and injuries from being tied up with rope.

The Details of Ruby Franke's Prison Sentence and Current Life

Ruby Franke is currently serving her sentence in a Utah prison after being formally sentenced in February 2024. The judge ordered the four one-to-15-year terms to run consecutively, meaning the minimum time she must serve before being eligible for parole is four years, but she could potentially spend up to 60 years incarcerated. This severe sentence reflects the gravity of the crimes committed against her two youngest children, Russell and Eve. Her former business partner, Jodi Hildebrandt, received an identical sentence for her role in the abuse. Both women pleaded guilty to the charges, acknowledging the abuse, which included starvation, physical injury, and emotional torment. Franke's life in prison is a stark contrast to her former life as a highly visible "mommy blogger" with millions of followers. In a surprising development, Jodi Hildebrandt made a legal attempt in late 2024 to recall her guilty plea, a move that legal experts have described as a "Hail Mary attempt" to reduce her time in prison. This action, which attempts to overturn a previous admission of guilt, highlights the ongoing legal drama surrounding the case, even after the sentencing. However, Franke has not made any similar public attempts to challenge her conviction.

The Franke Children and Husband: Where Are They Now?

The most crucial update centers on the well-being and future of Ruby Franke's six children. Following the arrests of Franke and Hildebrandt, the younger children were taken into the care of Utah's Division of Child and Family Services. The children—Shari, Chad, Abby, Julie, Russell, and Eve—are now in a safer environment, with custody arrangements being handled by the courts. Kevin Franke, Ruby’s estranged husband, has been a central figure in the children's recovery. He was separated from Ruby at the time of the arrest and has since given his first public comments about the ordeal. Kevin Franke has focused on regaining custody and providing a stable home for his children, a process that has been emotionally and legally complex.

Shari Franke's Public Voice and Memoir

The oldest daughter, Shari Franke, has been the most vocal family member since the case broke. She publicly distanced herself from her mother and the "8 Passengers" channel long before the arrest. In a significant development from early 2025, Shari has been speaking out about the abuse she and her siblings suffered, announcing the release of a new memoir. Her decision to share her story is a powerful step in the family's healing journey and provides a unique, first-hand account of the toxic environment that existed behind the scenes of the popular YouTube channel. Shari's memoir is expected to detail the manipulative and controlling nature of both Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt’s "ConneXions" philosophy, which was allegedly used to justify the abusive behavior. This public account is a testament to the resilience of the Franke children and a warning about the dangers of extreme online parenting.

Media Portrayal and The Legacy of "8 Passengers"

The shocking true crime story of Ruby Franke is already being immortalized in popular culture. A new Lifetime movie, tentatively titled *Mormon Mom Gone Wrong: The Ruby Franke Story*, is in development. This movie will retell the rise and fall of the disgraced vlogger, ensuring the case remains in the public consciousness. The "8 Passengers" YouTube channel has been completely removed, marking the end of a controversial era in family vlogging. The channel's legacy now serves as a cautionary tale about the blurred lines between public performance and private life, and the potential for abuse to hide in plain sight under the guise of strict parenting. The case has sparked a wider conversation about the ethics of "sharenting" and the responsibility of content creators who monetize their children's lives. The entities involved—the Franke parents, the Griffiths grandparents (who wrote a letter to the judge), and the children—are all grappling with the aftermath of a scandal that shook the world of social media.