The Tragic Downfall Of 8 Passengers: Where Are Ruby Franke, Jodi Hildebrandt, And The Children Now?

The story of "8 Passengers" is a chilling cautionary tale that rocked the world of family vlogging, transforming a seemingly wholesome online presence into one of the most shocking child abuse cases in recent memory. As of today, December 10, 2025, the legal consequences for former YouTube star Ruby Franke and her business partner, Jodi Hildebrandt, remain definitive, with both women serving substantial prison sentences that mark a permanent end to their public lives and the infamous YouTube channel.

The controversy surrounding the Utah-based Franke family and their defunct "8 Passengers" channel continues to generate intense public interest, particularly regarding the welfare of the six Franke children and the lasting impact of the child abuse convictions. This article provides the most current, in-depth look at the shocking timeline, the key figures involved, and the devastating legal fallout from the scandal that exposed the dark side of "momfluencer" culture.

The Central Figures: A Complete Biography and Profile

The "8 Passengers" saga involves a core group of individuals whose lives were intertwined through the YouTube channel and the controversial self-improvement company, Connexions Classroom. The legal proceedings in Washington County, Utah, brought all their personal and professional lives under intense scrutiny.

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• Ruby Franke (Matriarch & Convicted Abuser)
  • Full Name: Ruby Franke
  • Born: January 18, 1982
  • Role: Creator and star of the "8 Passengers" YouTube channel.
  • Conviction: Four counts of Aggravated Child Abuse (Pled Guilty).
  • Sentence: Four consecutive terms of 1 to 15 years in prison (potential maximum of 30 years).
• Jodi Hildebrandt (Business Partner & Convicted Abuser)
  • Full Name: Jodi Nan Hildebrandt
  • Born: June 15, 1969
  • Role: Founder of Connexions Classroom, a life coaching/counseling service, and Ruby Franke's business partner.
  • Conviction: Four counts of Aggravated Child Abuse (Pled Guilty).
  • Sentence: Four consecutive terms of 1 to 15 years in prison (potential maximum of 30 years).
• Kevin Franke (Husband/Ex-Husband)
  • Role: Co-star of the "8 Passengers" channel and Ruby Franke's former husband.
  • Status: Filed for divorce in late 2023; the divorce was finalized, granting him full custody of the minor children.
• The Franke Children
  • Six Children: Shari, Chad, Abby, Julie, Russell, and Eve.
  • Current Status: The minor children were placed in the custody of the state's Division of Child and Family Services (DCFS) following the arrests, with custody later granted to their father, Kevin Franke.
  • Notable: Eldest daughter, Shari Franke, has been outspoken on social media about the abuse and the dangers of family vlogging.

The Shocking Timeline: From Family Vlogging to Felony Conviction

The "8 Passengers" channel, which began in 2015, chronicled the daily life of the Franke family, often drawing criticism for Ruby Franke's extremely strict and controversial parenting methods. The channel amassed over two million subscribers before its abrupt termination.

The true horror behind the scenes, however, was exposed in a dramatic series of events in 2023. The catalyst for the arrests was the escape of one of Ruby Franke's sons, a 12-year-old, from Jodi Hildebrandt’s home in Ivins, Utah, on August 30, 2023.

The August 2023 Arrest and Discovery

The malnourished boy, who had open wounds and visible signs of severe abuse, asked a neighbor for food and water, leading to a 911 call. Police found another of Franke's children, a 10-year-old daughter, also suffering from severe malnutrition and abuse at the Hildebrandt residence.

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The court documents revealed harrowing details of the abuse, which included starvation, physical beatings, and being forced to perform strenuous physical labor in the extreme Utah heat without sufficient food or water. The children were reportedly held captive for an extended period, leading to the charges of aggravated child abuse.

Guilty Pleas and the February 2024 Sentencing

In a move that surprised many, both Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt pleaded guilty to four counts of aggravated child abuse in December 2023. During their sentencing hearing on February 20, 2024, in St. George, Utah, both women expressed remorse, though their statements were met with skepticism by the public and legal observers.

The judge handed down the maximum penalty under Utah law: four consecutive prison terms of one to 15 years. This means they must serve each sentence back-to-back, making their minimum time served four years and the maximum 30 years. The Utah Board of Pardons and Parole will ultimately determine their actual release date.

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The Aftermath: Prison Life, Legal Maneuvering, and The Children’s Future

Since the sentencing, the focus has shifted to the lives of the convicted women behind bars and the recovery of the Franke children.

Prison and Legal Updates (Current as of late 2025)

Both Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt are currently serving their time in the Utah prison system. While details of their daily lives are kept private, the reality is a stark contrast to their highly public, curated YouTube personas.

In a notable legal development following the sentencing, Jodi Hildebrandt made an attempt to modify her sentence, often referred to as a "Hail Mary attempt" by observers. This legal maneuver, which seeks to reduce the severity of the consecutive sentences, has been closely monitored, but as of late 2025, the original sentence remains in effect, highlighting the court's firm stance on the gravity of the crimes committed.

The Collapse of Connexions Classroom

Jodi Hildebrandt’s self-help program, Connexions Classroom, which promoted radical and often criticized "principles of truth," was a key entity in the downfall. Ruby Franke had become a devoted follower and business partner, and the program is widely cited as a major influence that isolated Franke from her family and led to the abuse. The organization has since collapsed, and its methods have been compared by many to those of a high-control group or cult.

The Franke Children and the Future of Family Vlogging

The Franke children are now under the care of their father, Kevin Franke, who has advocated for child welfare reform and has been working to help his children heal. The oldest daughter, Shari Franke, who had already distanced herself from her mother, has become a vocal critic of the exploitative nature of family vlogging, using her platform to shed light on the emotional and psychological toll such public exposure takes on children.

The "8 Passengers" tragedy has sparked a critical, ongoing discussion about the ethics of "sharenting" and the lack of legal protections for minors whose lives are broadcast for profit on platforms like YouTube. The story has been documented in major media, including the Hulu docuseries, Devil in the Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke, and a Lifetime movie, ensuring the conversation—and the lessons learned—will continue for years to come.