Poster image of Devil in the Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke. Hulu.
In August 2023, a frail 12-year-old boy knocked on a neighbor’s door in Ivins, Utah. He hesitated but then asked for help through the Ring doorbell camera. His request was chilling: “Can you take me to the police station?”
The couple inside responded immediately. The woman brought him water, while the man called 911. The boy was visibly malnourished, with tape wrapped around his legs. Authorities soon discovered that he had escaped from a nearby mansion owned by Jodi Hildebrandt, the business partner of his mother, Ruby Franke. His 10-year-old sister was still trapped inside, suffering the same fate—starved, isolated, and abused.
Who is Ruby Franke?
Ruby Franke, a mother of six from Springville, Utah, rose to fame as the face of the popular family vlogging channel 8 Passengers. Launched in 2015, her channel gave viewers an inside look at her family’s daily life and reached 2.5 million subscribers by 2020.
Franke portrayed herself as the perfect mother, but controversy surrounded her strict parenting methods. In one video, her then-15-year-old son Chad revealed that he had been forced to sleep on a beanbag for seven months as punishment. Other clips showed her threatening to withhold food or cutting off a child’s teddy bear’s head.
Despite the backlash, Franke dismissed critics, claiming she was simply demonstrating "responsible parenting."
Kevin Franke, Ruby Franke's ex-husband (middle), Shari Franke, Ruby's eldest daughter, and Chad Franke, Ruby Franke's eldest son, in image. Hulu via VanitiFair.
"Ruby's sole ambition was to be seen as the perfect mom,” Kevin Franke says in the series. “That's all she talked about. That's all she focused on. But she wasn't getting enough praise and attention for it. So she decided she was going to create a YouTube channel. And when she sets her mind to something, hell and earth combined could not stop her."
The Influence of Jodi Hildebrandt
Jodi Hildebrandt, a therapist with a controversial past, played a pivotal role in Franke’s transformation. Known for her strict family discipline methods, Hildebrandt’s ConneXions program initially aimed to help troubled teens. Chad was among those sent for counseling.
Instead of providing support, Hildebrandt’s influence led Franke to adopt increasingly extreme beliefs. She became convinced that her children were possessed by "evil spirits." Eventually, Franke moved in with Hildebrandt, deepening her dependency on her mentor.
Missed Warning Signs
Before the shocking escape, many had raised concerns about the Franke children’s well-being. Neighbors, YouTube viewers, and even Franke’s eldest daughter, Shari, had alerted authorities. A petition demanding child protective services intervene gained over 18,000 signatures. However, law enforcement was unable to take action without concrete evidence.
Kevin Franke, Ruby’s husband, had also left the home but failed to intervene. He later admitted that he hoped Ruby would let him return if he followed her wishes.
The Arrest and Chilling Evidence
After the 12-year-old’s escape, police searched Hildebrandt’s home. What they found was disturbing—handcuffs, ropes, medical supplies, and journals detailing efforts to "exorcise" the children. The abuse included being tied to weights, forced to run in the desert, and jumping on trampolines for hours.
Franke and Hildebrandt were both arrested and later pleaded guilty to aggravated child abuse. Franke, in her courtroom apology, blamed Hildebrandt, claiming she had been manipulated. Hildebrandt, in turn, accepted responsibility to spare the children from testifying.
Life After the Scandal
Shari Franke, now an advocate against family vlogging, recently released a memoir detailing her experience. Chad has pursued a career in real estate. The younger Franke children remain in state custody, receiving medical and psychological care.
Kevin Franke, who has since filed for divorce, has expressed deep regret for allowing their lives to be broadcast online. He is now pushing for laws to protect children from financial exploitation in family vlogging.
The shocking story of the 8 Passengers family is now the subject of Devil in the Family, a three-part Hulu docuseries premiering Feb. 27. Featuring firsthand accounts from Franke’s eldest children, former neighbors, and law enforcement, the series sheds new light on how a family once admired by millions fell into darkness.
