Convicted Child Abuser Ruby Franke’s Oldest Daughter Shari Franke has made a heartbreaking decision to cut ties with her mother permanently. Shari, now 21 years old, revealed her stance in Hulu’s docuseries ‘Devil In The Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke’, which premiered on February 27, 2025. Recalling the emotional courtroom scene during Ruby’s sentencing in February 2024, Shari expressed her doubts about her mother’s sincerity, stating, “I’ve seen too many crocodile tears from her, and so I can’t say whether she is sorry.”
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The harrowing case unfolded when Ruby Franke and her ex-business partner, therapist Jodi Hildebrandt, pled guilty to four counts of aggravated child abuse. Both women were sentenced to serve four to 30 years in a Utah prison. The Franke family had gained fame through their YouTube channel, ‘8 Passengers’, where they showcased their family life with over 2 million subscribers. However, concerns arose in 2020 about their parenting practices, leading to a backlash from viewers.
Amid escalating tensions, Ruby stopped her involvement in the YouTube channel in 2022 and began posting videos with Hildebrandt on her ConneXions podcast. This period saw a fracture in the family, with Shari and her brother Chad being evicted from their home. Shari’s growing concerns for the safety of her siblings prompted her to contact child services, although no significant action was taken despite a welfare check.
The situation reached a boiling point in August 2023 when Ruby’s 12-year-old son managed to escape from Hildebrandt’s home and sought help from a neighbour in Utah. The neighbour was horrified by the boy’s condition, triggering a call to emergency services which led to Ruby and Hildebrandt’s arrest. Shocking details emerged during the investigation, with Ruby admitting to severe abuse towards her two youngest children, including denying them basic necessities and subjecting them to physical restraints.
Shari Franke had previously shared her traumatic experiences of abuse suffered at the hands of her mother in her memoir titled ‘The House of My Mother: A Daughter’s Quest for Freedom’, released in January 2025. Speaking to PEOPLE earlier this year, Shari expressed her mixed emotions towards forgiveness, stating, “Part of me feels guilty if I don’t forgive. But I’ve come to realize that forgiveness for me just means that I don’t let her actions consume my thoughts.”
The ripple effects of the Franke family tragedy continue to unfold, as Shari remains steadfast in her decision to distance herself from Ruby. The resilience shown by Shari in navigating the aftermath of such trauma serves as a poignant reminder of the long-lasting impact of abuse within families. The story of Ruby Franke and her fall from grace stands as a cautionary tale, shedding light on the complexities of familial relationships and the enduring strength of survivors like Shari.