Kevin Franke became a recognizable figure in the digital landscape as part of the massive family vlogging channel known as 8 Passengers. Alongside his then-wife Ruby Franke, he documented his domestic life for millions of subscribers before a catastrophic fall from grace. Ruby Franke – Wikipedia
The family’s public image shattered completely in August 2023 when severe allegations of child abuse surfaced, leading to criminal charges and arrests that shocked the nation. The subsequent police investigation exposed an environment of extreme neglect and abuse that had developed behind closed doors.
In the wake of these revelations, the family structure dissolved, leaving the children to navigate the fallout while the eldest daughter, Shari Franke, began advocating against the dangers of online child exploitation.
The Rise and Fall of the 8 Passengers YouTube Channel
Ruby Franke rose to fame on YouTube by sharing her family life in Utah and offering parenting advice on the ‘8 Passengers’ channel. Over the years, the channel accumulated a massive following of devoted viewers who tuned in regularly to watch the daily routines of the Franke household.
The channel documented family life with her husband and six children, including son R and daughter E. The videos frequently portrayed a strict religious and moral household structure, which initially resonated with conservative parenting circles on the internet before growing increasingly authoritarian.
The channel ultimately collapsed following a massive child abuse scandal and the arrest of Ruby Franke in August 2023. Public scrutiny reached a boiling point as sponsors, viewers, and media outlets uncovered the dark reality behind the curated family content.
The Arrest of Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt
On August 30, 2023, Ruby Franke’s 12-year-old son climbed out of the window of business partner Jodi Hildebrandt’s Ivins, Utah residence and ran to a neighbor for help. The desperate escape marked the beginning of the end for the pair’s covert operations.
The neighbor observed duct tape on the boy’s ankles and wrists, severe wounds, and malnourishment. Shocked by his physical condition, the resident immediately contacted local emergency services to report the endangered child.
Officers searched Hildebrandt’s 10,000-square-foot home and found Franke’s 9-year-old daughter, petrified and hiding in a closet. The subsequent discovery of both children in such distressing conditions triggered immediate warrants and the arrest of both women.
Horrific Details of the Abuse Revealed
Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt held Franke’s 12-year-old son and 9-year-old daughter in a work-camp like setting. Court documents and investigative reports revealed a regime of systematic torture and psychological manipulation.
The children were regularly denied food, water, beds to sleep in, and virtually all forms of entertainment. They were forced to perform manual labor outdoors in extreme weather conditions, resulting in severe sunburns and physical trauma.
The investigation found that religious extremism motivated Ms. Franke and Ms. Hildebrandt to inflict this horrific abuse. The perpetrators bizarrely claimed their harsh methods were necessary to ‘repent’ the children and drive out supposed evil influences.
Where Are Ruby Franke’s Kids Now?
The victims are Franke’s two youngest children, referred to by initials: R, the 12-year-old boy, and E, the 9-year-old girl. Following their rescue, both children were placed into protective custody to receive necessary medical treatment and psychological support.
There was no evidence found in the investigation that the two oldest children were subjected to the same extreme conditions, as they had already moved out or were living independent lives away from the household by the time the abuse escalated.
Shari Franke, the eldest of Ruby Franke’s six children, has actively spoken out against the dangers of family vlogging. She has utilized her platform to distance herself from her parents and support legislative efforts protecting minors online.
Shari Franke Speaks Out Against Family Vlogging
Shari Franke addressed lawmakers in the Utah State Legislature on October 16, 2024, to discuss family vlogging dangers. Her testimony provided a firsthand account of the psychological toll and lack of legal protections surrounding child content creators.
She testified that child influencing is a full-time job with employees, business credit cards, managers, and marketing strategies. Shari emphasized that minors in these operations generate substantial revenue without the labor protections guaranteed to traditional child actors.
Shari stated, ‘There is no such thing as a moral or ethical family vlogger’ and called herself a victim of family vlogging. Her advocacy continues to shape national conversations regarding privacy rights and the exploitation of children on social media platforms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Kevin Franke?
Kevin Franke is the father of the former YouTube family vlogging channel 8 Passengers, which he ran alongside his then-wife Ruby Franke. The channel gained widespread notoriety following the 2023 arrest of Ruby Franke and her business partner Jodi Hildebrandt on charges of severe child abuse.
What happened to the Franke family vlogging channel?
The popular YouTube channel 8 Passengers, which documented the lives of Kevin and Ruby Franke and their six children, was permanently shut down following the family’s legal and domestic crisis in late 2023. The channel had amassed over 2 million subscribers before its removal.
What is Kevin Franke’s relationship to Ruby Franke?
Kevin Franke was married to Ruby Franke for over two decades before the couple separated following the explosive child abuse arrests in August and September 2023. Ruby Franke subsequently filed for divorce while awaiting trial, and she was sentenced to prison in February 2024.
Was Kevin Franke charged with child abuse?
Despite intense public scrutiny regarding his prior involvement with the family vlogging channel and Jodi Hildebrandt’s counseling service, Kevin Franke was not criminally charged with child abuse. Prosecutors stated that investigators found insufficient evidence to link him directly to the specific abuse inflicted on his two youngest children by Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt.
Where does Kevin Franke live now?
Following the dissolution of his marriage and the fallout from the 8 Passengers scandal, Kevin Franke largely retreated from the public eye to focus on rebuilding his relationship with his children. Details regarding his exact residence are kept private to protect the privacy and safety of his family.
How many children do Kevin and Ruby Franke have?
Kevin and Ruby Franke share six children together: Shari, Chad, Abby, Julie, Russell, and Eve. Following the arrests of their mother and Jodi Hildebrandt, the minor children were placed in the care of Utah’s Division of Child and Family Services before being transitioned to the care of extended family members.