The Unseen Connection: 7 Shocking Revelations About Ruby Franke And Jodi Hildebrandt's Relationship

The relationship between former family vlogger Ruby Franke and her business partner Jodi Hildebrandt remains one of the most disturbing and speculated-upon aspects of their high-profile child abuse case. As of December 2025, the legal saga has concluded with both women serving significant prison sentences, but the curiosity surrounding the true nature of their deeply intertwined personal and professional lives—specifically the persistent rumors that they were "lovers"—has only intensified. The latest updates, including new court documents and statements from Ruby's estranged husband, Kevin Franke, shed a chilling light on the manipulative influence and shared reality they created, which ultimately led to the severe abuse of Franke's children.

The transition of Ruby Franke from a beloved "momfluencer" on her "8 Passengers" YouTube channel to a convicted felon alongside her "life coach" Jodi Hildebrandt is a story of radicalization and isolation. The legal proceedings, which resulted in sentences of up to 30 years for both women, provided a factual framework for their crimes, but it is the recent revelations about their living arrangements and the subsequent legal actions by Kevin Franke that offer the newest, most compelling details about the intimacy and control within their partnership.

Biographical Profiles: The YouTube Mom and The 'Life Coach'

To fully understand the dynamics of their relationship, it is essential to first establish the backgrounds of the two women who became inextricably linked through the controversial ConneXions program.

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Ruby Franke

• Full Name: Ruby Franke (née Griffiths)
• Former Role: Matriarch of the "8 Passengers" YouTube channel, which documented her life with her husband, Kevin Franke, and their six children.
• Fame: Gained millions of followers and notoriety for her strict, often controversial, parenting style within the Mormon community.
• Legal Status (Current): Incarcerated. Pled guilty to four counts of second-degree felony aggravated child abuse.
• Sentence: Four concurrent sentences of one to 15 years, with a maximum term of 30 years, handed down by a Utah court.
• Marital Status: Divorced from Kevin Franke (divorce finalized in 2024).

Jodi Hildebrandt

• Full Name: Jodi Hildebrandt
• Former Role: Licensed professional counselor and "mental health treatment" coach who founded the ConneXions program.
• Connection to Franke: Became Ruby's personal therapist and business partner, co-hosting the ConneXions YouTube channel and podcast.
• Controversy: Known for her extreme, highly criticized, and often punitive advice, which many former clients described as cult-like.
• Legal Status (Current): Incarcerated. Pled guilty to four counts of second-degree felony aggravated child abuse.
• Sentence: Four concurrent sentences of one to 15 years, with a maximum term of 30 years, identical to Franke's.

7 Chilling Revelations About the Franke-Hildebrandt Dynamic

The speculation that Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt were romantically involved—or "lovers"—stems from several key pieces of evidence and testimony that revealed an intense, all-consuming attachment that transcended a typical professional partnership. These details were brought to light during the investigation and subsequent legal proceedings in Washington County of Utah.

1. The Shared Bedroom Revelation

Perhaps the most compelling evidence fueling the "lovers" speculation came from Kevin Franke, Ruby's estranged husband. He revealed that at one point, Jodi Hildebrandt moved into the Franke family home and shared a bedroom with Ruby. This arrangement, described in the context of Hildebrandt experiencing "demonic night terrors" and needing support, created an environment of extreme intimacy that effectively isolated Ruby from her husband and children.

2. The Complete Isolation from Kevin Franke

The relationship between the two women was characterized by the systematic exclusion of Kevin Franke. Ruby stopped communicating with him, viewing him through the highly critical and distorted lens of ConneXions teachings. This isolation was a crucial step in Hildebrandt's alleged manipulative influence, allowing her to become Ruby’s sole confidante and authority figure, replacing her husband and the rest of her family.

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3. The ConneXions Program as an Enabler

The ConneXions program was the vehicle for their crimes and their bond. It provided a pseudo-therapeutic framework that justified their increasingly extreme actions. The program’s doctrines, focused on "principles of truth" and "shunning distortion," were allegedly used to label Ruby's children as "evil" or "in need of correction," giving the women a shared moral purpose that superseded conventional parenting and legal boundaries.

4. Kevin Franke’s Lawsuit Against Hildebrandt

In a significant legal development, Kevin Franke filed a lawsuit against Jodi Hildebrandt following the sentencing. The lawsuit alleges that Hildebrandt used her position as a therapist to exert undue influence over Ruby, essentially manipulating her into the abusive relationship and subsequent crimes. While not explicitly confirming a romantic affair, the legal action highlights the immense power and control Hildebrandt held over Ruby Franke.

5. The Shared Guilt and Legal Strategy

Both women pleaded guilty to the same four counts of aggravated child abuse and received identical prison sentences. Their shared legal fate underscores the depth of their collaboration in the abuse. In their respective court statements, each woman acknowledged the other’s role in the crimes, demonstrating a shared reality and mutual responsibility for the severe mistreatment of Ruby's two youngest children.

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6. The Finalized Divorce and Asset Division

The finalization of Ruby and Kevin Franke's divorce in 2024 further cemented the end of Ruby’s former life and her commitment to the new reality she built with Hildebrandt. Kevin Franke was awarded the couple's properties and agreed to terms regarding child support, legally severing the family unit that the "8 Passengers" channel once celebrated. This legal move is a direct consequence of the destructive path the Franke-Hildebrandt relationship took.

7. The Enduring Speculation of 'Cult Leader' and 'Disciple'

While the term "lovers" satisfies the public's curiosity for a sensationalized narrative, many experts and observers of the case suggest the relationship was more accurately characterized by a cult-like dynamic. Hildebrandt, the "life coach" and purported expert in mental health treatment, is viewed as the cult leader, and Ruby Franke, the highly suggestible "momfluencer," as the devoted disciple. This power imbalance, regardless of any physical intimacy, explains the extreme lengths to which Ruby went to please her partner, including participating in the systematic abuse of her own children. The manipulation and control, rather than romantic love, may be the most accurate description of their deeply disturbing bond.

The Aftermath: Prison Life and The Franke Family Healing

With both Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt serving their time in prison, the focus has shifted to the recovery of the Franke children and the rest of the family. The four sentences of one to 15 years mean the women face a mandatory appearance before the Utah Board of Pardons and Parole, where their release will be determined. The maximum term of 30 years ensures they will be held accountable for a significant period.

The eldest daughter, Shari Franke, has been vocal about her support for her younger siblings and her efforts to distance herself from her mother's past actions and the ConneXions ideology. Kevin Franke, now divorced, is tasked with rebuilding his life and providing a stable environment for his children. The entire ordeal serves as a stark warning about the dangers of extreme online communities, unregulated "mental health" advice, and the manipulative power dynamics that can form under the guise of self-improvement. The relationship between Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt, whether romantic or purely manipulative, destroyed a family and shocked the world, leaving behind a legacy of trauma and unanswered questions.