On February 27, 2024, the shocking saga of Ruby Franke, once celebrated as a model parent on her wildly popular YouTube channel 8 Passengers, takes center stage again with the release of the Hulu documentary Devil in the Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke. This three-part series explores the dark underbelly of her family life, reflecting on the tragic events leading to her incarceration.
Once lauded by millions for her seemingly perfect family dynamics, Ruby Franke's life spiraled out of control when her 12-year-old son escaped their home on August 30, 2023. He climbed out of a window and ran to the neighbor's house, pleading for food and water. The boy, showing signs of severe malnutrition and covered with duct tape, painted a chilling picture of life behind the camera. Describing the horrifying conditions, the Santa-Clara Ivins Public Safety Department noted, "the juvenile appeared to be emaciated and malnourished, with open wounds and duct tape around the extremities."
Following this disturbing discovery, Ruby and her business partner Jodi Hildebrandt were arrested and charged with multiple counts of aggravated child abuse. Ruby, who had built her career around portraying her family's idyllic life, had been secretly implementing brutal disciplinary methods she justified as necessary. For years, she infused her parenting philosophy with extreme beliefs, often insisting her children were under evil influences. "Hopefully nobody gives her food and nobody steps in and gives her lunch, because then she’s not going to learn," she remarked about her daughter's hunger crisis, highlighting her controversial views.
Initially, Ruby Franke’s YouTube channel enjoyed considerable success, amassing over 2.5 million subscribers and billions of views. Yet, as her network of followers grew, so did concerns over her disciplinary methods. Critics have long noted her troubling approach to parenting, not least when her eldest son revealed he had been forced to sleep on a bean bag for seven months as punishment for pranks.
After her arrest, Ruby pleaded guilty to four counts of child abuse. At her sentencing, Ruby expressed remorse, stating, "I was so disoriented... I believed dark was light and right was wrong." Despite her captivating YouTube persona, the reality of her life echoed the complete opposite of her on-camera charm.
With the release of Devil in the Family, the perspective shifts to the victims of Ruby's abuse. The documentary features exclusive interviews with her ex-husband Kevin Franke, their daughter Shari, and son Chad, who reveal the harrowing inside dynamics of their family. "The last letter I received from her from prison was maybe March or April of last year," Kevin disclosed to People. He expressed his anger at Ruby's actions, admitting he requested she stop writing him as he continued to process his range of emotions.
Shari, who has her own memoir titled The House of My Mother: A Daughter’s Quest for Freedom, documents her life under Ruby’s oppressive regime and offers insight on the family’s dynamics. She reflects on years of fear and regret, feeling helpless to change the situation as Ruby spiraled toward abuse alongside Hildebrandt’s manipulative influence.
Ruby and Jodi were sentenced to four consecutive terms ranging from one to 15 years for their actions, yet compensatory measures await as the Utah Board of Pardons and Parole may review their conduct to determine reduced incarceration time. Their case highlighted serious flaws within social services and parenting platforms marketed as beneficial for family discipline.
Critics have argued Ruby's actions, documented through her YouTube presence, require broader discussions about the impacts of social media on parenting standards and the blurred lines between genuine parenting advice and harmful ideologies. Ruby's pleas on social media suggested her parental choices were mischaracterized by trolls and haters, leading to massive backlash and calls for investigations from child protection services.
More than just detailing Ruby’s downfall, Devil in the Family serves to reflect the unhealed scars left on her children. Despite their escape from the tumultuous environment, the toll of their experience remains heavy. Kevin Franke, still grappling with the fallout of Ruby's actions, reflects on their tumultuous marriage and the grief of witnessing his family's dissolution. He acknowledged his enduring feelings for Ruby, stating he felt love for her and remembered the good times they shared during their marriage but made it clear he could not excuse her behavior.
The release of the documentary will continue to shape public perception surrounding the Franke case, invoking fresh outrage and reconsideration of parenting norms. For Ruby's children, the long road to recovery lies still before them, as Shari poignantly remarked, "They have a long road ahead."