Shari Franke, the eldest daughter of Ruby Franke, who garnered fame as a family vlogger, is sharing her harrowing experiences of childhood abuse inflicted by her mother. This compelling narrative emerges from her new memoir, "The House of My Mother: A Daughter’s Quest for Freedom," which offers insight not only about Shari’s life but also about the shocking circumstances surrounding the arrest of Ruby Franke.
Ruby Franke rose to fame with the YouTube channel "8 Passengers," where her family life was chronically documented. What appeared to be a picture-perfect family took a dark turn when her parenting methods were put under scrutiny, eventually leading to her arrest on August 30, 2023, after her 12-year-old son escaped from the home of her business partner, Jodi Hildebrandt, and begged for food and water from neighbors. Authorities discovered two of Ruby’s children living under severe conditions—both showing signs of malnourishment and reported abuse.
Shari reveals the extent of the alleged abuse and manipulation she experienced throughout her childhood. "When I was younger, around, like, five or six, Ruby was really physical," Shari recounted during her appearance on "Good Morning America." She described instances where her mother would resort to slapping her and using abusive tactics to enforce compliance. The traumatic experiences became intertwined with the family's lure of online fame, highlighting the dangers of parenting influencers.
Shari details the transformation of their family dynamic after Hildebrandt moved in with them. Describing the unusual and concerning relationship between her mother and Hildebrandt, who had been pursuing strict and controversial counseling methodologies, she stated, "I certainly got weird vibes from Jodi and Ruby. I don’t think it’s normal at all for a therapist to move in with their client." Post-relationship dynamics shifted, with the nature of the abuse moving from physical to emotionally manipulative tactics, which severely impacted Shari and her younger siblings.
After enduring years of alleged mental and physical mistreatment, Shari attempted to seek help, reaching out to authorities multiple times about the abuse her siblings were suffering. "I am incredibly proud of Shari for the woman she has become and for her strength," stated Kevin Franke, Shari’s father, echoing the difficulty the family has faced through this experience.
Ruby Franke and Hildebrandt were convicted of four counts of aggravated child abuse and were sentenced to four consecutive terms of one to 15 years each. During the court proceedings, Ruby expressed her remorse, stating, "For the past four years, I've chosen to follow counsel and guidance—guidance leading me to this dark delusion. My distorted version of reality went largely unchecked." Meanwhile, Shari has openly questioned her mother’s capacity for true remorse, reflecting, "What she has done is so bad... I think she probably genuinely believed everything she said. I don’t believe it, though." Shari's perception of her mother's actions sheds light on the complex emotional trauma borne from such abuse.
Shari's memoir serves not only as her personal catharsis but also as a call for systemic change within child protection laws concerning child influencers and family vlogging. She testified before Utah lawmakers, expressing deep concerns about the “dangers” of exploiting children for monetary gain through online platforms. She passionately declared, "There is no such thing as a moral or ethical family vlogger," emphasizing her advocacy against the loopholes within child welfare laws and the troubling trend of parents monetizing their children’s lives.
Reflections on her childhood reveal the stark difference between the videos published for their large audience and the darker realities of what was happening behind closed doors. "Family vlogging ruined my innocence long before Ruby committed her crime," Shari noted, criticizing the commodification of family experiences and calling for restrictions and protections for child influencers.
The aftermath of these events continues to resonate. Kevin Franke has sought custody of his four younger children, who were removed from Ruby's care and placed with Child Protective Services. He has voiced his concerns, urging legislative reforms to improve child welfare. Kevin stated during public meetings, "Loopholes within the system allowed these awful abuses to go unnoticed for far too long. It is time for change." This coping and recovery process, highlighted by Kevin, shows the communal effort needed to pick up the pieces affected by the systemic failures around child protection.
Additionally, Shari is becoming increasingly vocal about her experiences as she pours herself back out to the public, not for views but for change. "I hope by writing this book, child influencers will see their voices matter. It’s worth whatever bridges they might burn," she commented, displaying her commitment to advocacy and reform. Her memoir, which sheds light on the impacts of family vlogging on childhood, sparks discussions about the responsibilities of parent influencers and the ethicality of exposing children to public life.
Ruby Franke’s story is not just about one family’s downfall but underlines broader societal issues surrounding child welfare, exploitation, and parental responsibility. Shari Franke’s courage to confront her past and speak out for her siblings signifies hope and highlights the necessity for protective measures against such abusive environments.
Those interested can find Shari Franke’s memoir, "The House of My Mother: A Daughter’s Quest for Freedom," available now. Shari’s story can serve as both a warning and inspiration for those who share their lives online.