The Franke Family: 5 Shocking New Updates On Ruby Franke's Prison Sentence, Custody Battle, And The Fallout

The Franke Family scandal, which began with the arrest of former YouTube "momfluencer" Ruby Franke and her business partner Jodi Hildebrandt in August 2023, continues to shock the world. The case, which exposed the dark side of family vlogging and alleged extremist therapeutic practices, has seen significant legal and personal developments in the first half of 2024, including prison sentences and a finalized divorce.

As of late 2024, the focus has shifted from the initial horrific details of the abuse to the long-term consequences: the fate of the six Franke children, the legal status of the two convicted women, and the ongoing attempts by the estranged family to rebuild their lives. This article provides the most current and essential updates on the Franke family, their legal fallout, and the current status of the children.

The Franke Family: A Complete Biographical Profile

The Franke family was once famous for the now-defunct "8 Passengers" YouTube channel, which documented the lives of a large Mormon family in Utah. The central figures in the scandal are:

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• Ruby Franke (Convicted Abuser)
  • Former Role: Matriarch and lead content creator of the "8 Passengers" YouTube channel (launched 2015), which amassed over 2.5 million subscribers.
  • Conviction: Four counts of second-degree felony aggravated child abuse.
  • Sentence: Four consecutive terms of one to 15 years in a Utah state prison, handed down on February 20, 2024.
  • Status: Currently incarcerated.
• Jodi Nan Hildebrandt (Co-Convicted Abuser)
  • DOB: June 15, 1969.
  • Former Role: Founder of the "ConneXions Classroom" life-coaching/therapy program and Ruby Franke's business partner.
  • Conviction: Four counts of second-degree felony aggravated child abuse.
  • Sentence: Four consecutive terms of one to 15 years in a Utah state prison, handed down on February 20, 2024.
  • Status: Currently incarcerated alongside Ruby Franke.
• Kevin Franke (Ex-Husband & Father)
  • Profession: Assistant Professor of Civil Engineering at Brigham Young University (BYU).
  • Legal Status: Filed for divorce from Ruby Franke shortly after her arrest.
  • Custody Status: Awarded full custody of the four minor children in the finalized divorce.
• The Franke Children (Shari, Chad, Abby, Julie, Russell, and Eve)
  • Eldest Child: Shari Franke, who had been estranged from her mother, played a pivotal role in exposing the abuse by speaking out on social media.
  • Minor Children: The four youngest children who were still minors are now in the custody of their father, Kevin Franke.

The Legal Aftermath: Prison Sentences and Divorce Finalization

The legal proceedings against Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt concluded swiftly, providing a definitive resolution to the criminal aspect of the case. The severity of the abuse, which included starvation, physical injury, and emotional torment, was reflected in the final sentences.

The Sentencing of Franke and Hildebrandt

On February 20, 2024, both Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt were sentenced by a Utah judge.

The women had each pleaded guilty to four counts of aggravated child abuse, a second-degree felony under Utah law.

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The judge imposed the maximum penalty for each count: four consecutive prison terms of one to 15 years.

Under Utah's indeterminate sentencing structure, the Utah Board of Pardons and Parole will ultimately determine the actual time served, but the women face a minimum of four years and a potential maximum of 60 years in prison.

During the sentencing, both women expressed remorse, with Franke stating her belief that she was following "counsel" that led her down a path of "darkness."

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Kevin Franke's Divorce and Full Custody

A major development in 2024 was the finalization of the divorce between Ruby and Kevin Franke. Kevin Franke filed for divorce shortly after Ruby's arrest in August 2023.

The divorce was officially finalized in March 2024, a key update that provides stability for the children.

The divorce agreement awarded Kevin Franke full custody of the four minor children. This outcome ensures the children are legally and physically removed from Ruby’s care and can focus on healing under their father’s guardianship.

The ConneXions Controversy and The Family Vlogging Fallout

The Franke case brought intense scrutiny to two related, controversial entities: the "ConneXions" program and the entire genre of family vlogging on platforms like YouTube. The scandal has had a ripple effect across the online content creation community and the Franke's extended family.

The 'ConneXions' Program: Twisted Therapy

The abuse was allegedly carried out under the guise of therapeutic practices promoted by Jodi Hildebrandt's "ConneXions Classroom" program.

This program was described as a life-coaching and addiction treatment service that promoted controversial and "twisted" therapeutic strategies.

Ruby Franke's full immersion into the ConneXions philosophy is widely cited as the catalyst for her isolation from her family and her eventual descent into child abuse. The philosophy often involved labeling children as "in need of correction" or "unrighteous."

Despite the convictions, reports emerged that the ConneXions website remained operational and was still offering "therapy" sessions, prompting further public outcry and questions about the regulation of life coaches and unlicensed counselors.

The Reaction of the Franke Sisters (The Griffiths Siblings)

Ruby Franke is one of five siblings who were all content creators, belonging to the extended Griffiths family. Her sisters, who are also prominent YouTubers, spoke out immediately following the arrest.

Ruby's sisters—Ellie Mecham, Bonnie Hoellein, and Julie Griffiths Deru—released a joint statement confirming they had been estranged from Ruby for some time due to her involvement with Jodi Hildebrandt and the ConneXions program.

They expressed their support for the children and confirmed they were actively working to reconnect with the eldest daughter, Shari Franke, who was instrumental in bringing the abuse to light.

The End of '8 Passengers' and Child Influencer Ethics

The "8 Passengers" YouTube channel was permanently deleted by YouTube following Ruby Franke's arrest, marking the end of the channel's history of monetized family content.

The case has fueled a growing national debate regarding the ethics and legal protections for "child influencers" in family vlogs.

Legislative efforts have been proposed in various states to ensure children featured in monetized content, like the Franke children, are entitled to a share of the channel's earnings.

The Franke family's tragic story serves as a stark warning about the dangers of broadcasting private family life and the potential for financial incentives to override parental responsibility. The ongoing recovery of the children, now under the full custody of Kevin Franke, remains the most important focus for the family and Utah Child Protective Services (CPS).