Ruby Franke, the former YouTube vlogger who once helmed the immensely popular but now-defunct “8 Passengers” channel, has been taken into custody on charges of alleged aggravated child abuse.
Ruby Franke, formerly known as a family vlogger on the YouTube channel “8 Passengers,” has been taken into custody in Springville, Utah, on serious charges of aggravated child abuse.
According to the Washington County Sheriff’s website, Franke was apprehended at 9:33 p.m. on the previous day, along with her business partner Jodi Hildebrandt, who co-founded the parent advice and counseling YouTube channel and service called “ConneXions.”
Both individuals are now facing two counts of second-degree aggravated child abuse, whether intentional or unknowing in nature.
Also Read:- Devastating Blaze Claims 73 Lives, Including Children, in Heart-Wrenching Johannesburg Tragedy
Franke had gained widespread recognition in recent years due to growing concerns among viewers of the now-deleted “8 Passengers” YouTube channel, which she managed alongside her husband, Kevin Franke. The Mormon couple’s once-popular family vlogging account had amassed nearly 2.5 million subscribers at its peak before being removed from the platform.
Shari Franke, the eldest daughter of the Franke family, had been relatively open on social media regarding her limited contact with her family throughout 2022. This openness fueled the emergence of additional speculations and theories on the internet. Following the arrest on Wednesday, she posted a picture on her Instagram story featuring a police car parked outside a residence, accompanied by the caption, “At last.”
Who is Former Youtuber Ruby Franke?
Ruby Franke, a mother of six hailing from Utah, once enjoyed significant popularity as a family vlogger on the “8 Passengers” YouTube channel, amassing millions of views and followers. However, her parenting choices drew widespread online criticism.
The scrutiny intensified when Franke co-founded the “ConneXions” parenting advice and support program, which has been labeled a “cult” by some online observers. Many objected to the parenting approach advocated by the duo, perceiving it as extreme and unyielding. Furthermore, the inclusion of comments that were characterized as homophobic, racist, and transphobic only added to their declining popularity.
In one notable instance, Ruby Franke asserted to her viewers that children do not deserve and should not expect unconditional love, a statement that continues to be frequently cited.
Also Read:- Gabon’s Military Takes Charge, President Bongo Placed Under House Arrest! What’s Next?
About “8 Passengers” Youtube Channel
The YouTube channel “8 Passengers,” launched in 2015, offered viewers a glimpse into the daily lives of parents Ruby and Kevin Franke and their six children: Shari, Chad, Abby, Julie, Russell, and Eve. At the zenith of its popularity, the channel amassed an impressive 2.5 million subscribers and gained notoriety as one of the most renowned – or infamous – family-oriented content creators on the platform.
However, earlier this year, the channel was removed from YouTube. Kevin Franke continued to post content on a separate, less frequented channel.
While their content had been controversial for several years, the last three years have been especially detrimental to the family’s reputation. Viewers began circulating petitions and reporting perceived evidence of child abuse and neglect to local authorities.
Some of the most notorious incidents included Ruby Franke’s refusal to provide food for her 6-year-old daughter, who had forgotten her lunch at school, and a situation where one of their sons claimed he was made to sleep on a beanbag as punishment for playing pranks on his siblings.
In another instance, she deprived one of her young children of Christmas as a disciplinary measure for perceived “selfishness.” On numerous occasions, viewers observed her threatening to withhold food and imposing punishments on her children that many found excessively severe.
Also Read:- Teen Mackenzie Shirilla Receives Dual Life Sentences for Fatal Crash That Ended Dreams
Why has Ruby Franke been Arrested?
As per information obtained from local affiliate Fox 13, arrest records indicate that a child managed to escape through a window from a residence belonging to Jodi Hildebrandt at approximately 10:50 a.m., seeking assistance from a neighbor for food and water.
Upon inspecting the child, the neighbor discovered duct tape tightly wound around the child’s wrists and ankles, prompting an immediate call to the police.
Law enforcement officers, upon arrival at the scene, encountered a child described as “severely emaciated and malnourished, displaying visible open wounds.” Subsequently, after transporting this distressed child to the hospital, authorities discovered another child within the residence who exhibited signs of malnourishment, as reported by Fox 13.
During the execution of a search warrant at the residence, police uncovered evidence that was consistent with the injuries observed on the juvenile. The arrest documents also revealed that Ruby Franke had been seen filming inside the home just days before these events, indicating her awareness of the children’s dire condition.
Currently, she is being detained without the possibility of bail at the Washington County Jail.