Ruby Franke, a YouTuber who was convicted, has been accused of brutally beating her son as revealed by her daughter in a shocking statement. The daughter, Shari Franke, disclosed that she even assisted in cleaning up the blood off the walls after her brother, Chad Franke, was subjected to severe abuse by their mother. The disturbing revelations have come to light in an upcoming Hulu docuseries titled ‘Devil In The Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke’.
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Shari Franke, now 21 years old, bravely shared her traumatic experience in the docuseries, shedding light on the appalling incident involving her younger brother. Chad Franke was allegedly subjected to brutal beatings by his mother, Ruby Franke, leading to him being visibly injured. Shari expressed her remorse, stating, “I did always feel bad when he got in trouble,” highlighting the distressing environment within their family home.
The Franke family gained fame through their YouTube channel, 8 Passengers, where they documented their lives as a family of eight residing in Utah. However, concerns began to mount among viewers in 2020 regarding the family’s strict parenting methods. Chad Franke disclosed that the abusive behaviour was concealed from the public eye, with instances of physical punishment that were not captured on camera, including being whipped and spanked.
Ruby and her husband, Kevin Franke, initially dismissed the criticisms, insisting that their disciplinary actions were justified and the children were safe. However, as allegations of abuse surfaced, their family dynamic began to unravel. Ruby Franke’s association with Jodi Hildebrandt, a former sex therapist and parenting advocate, further strained relationships within the family, leading to Shari being estranged and Kevin and Chad moving out.
Shari Franke’s concerns for the safety of her siblings escalated over time, prompting her to contact child services for intervention. Despite her efforts, it was not until August 2023 that Ruby and Jodi were arrested and charged with aggravated child abuse. The arrest followed a harrowing incident where Shari’s malnourished 12-year-old brother sought help from a neighbour after escaping from Jodi’s residence in Utah.
In her memoir, ‘The House of My Mother: A Daughter’s Quest for Freedom’, Shari detailed the escalating severity of Ruby’s punishments, describing them as prolonged periods of deprivation and dramatic gestures. Ruby and Jodi pleaded guilty to multiple counts of aggravated child abuse in late 2023 and were subsequently sentenced to four to 30 years in prison. Kevin Franke, who had separated from Ruby, was not implicated in the criminal charges.
The revelations surrounding Ruby Franke’s abusive behaviour have sparked outrage and shed light on the hidden realities of familial abuse. Shari Franke’s courage in speaking out against the atrocities endured by her siblings serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of safeguarding vulnerable individuals within households. The accountability and repercussions faced by Ruby Franke and her accomplice, Jodi Hildebrandt, underscore the gravity of child abuse cases and the imperative of swift justice in such matters.