How Many Years Did Ruby Franke Get? Unraveling the Sentencing and Shocking Details of the Child Abuse Case
In a shocking turn of events, Ruby Franke, a once-popular family vlogger known for her YouTube channel “8 Passengers,” has been sentenced to four one-to-15 year terms in prison by a Utah district court. The case, which unfolded over the past few months, exposed a nightmarish home life of child abuse that went on behind the scenes of Franke’s seemingly idyllic family videos.
Franke’s business partner, Jodi Hildebrandt, a mental health counselor and parenting coach, also faced the same fate with four one-to-15 year prison terms. Both women will serve their sentences consecutively, raising questions about the severity of the abuse that led to such a significant prison term.
The charges against Franke and Hildebrandt stem from a series of horrifying revelations about the treatment of Franke’s children, ranging in age from 10 to 20. The court heard details of what was described as a “concentration camp-like setting” in Franke’s home, where her two youngest children, aged 10 and 12, faced unimaginable conditions.
Prosecutor Eric Clarke, who described the abuse as “horrific,” revealed that the children were regularly denied basic necessities such as food, water, and beds to sleep in. They were subjected to isolation, forced to perform physical tasks for extended periods, and endured manual labor outdoors, even in extreme summer heat. The abuse included beatings, with both children suffering extensive physical injuries that required hospitalization.
The court documents highlighted the psychological manipulation inflicted on the children, who were conditioned to believe that the abuse was their fault. The children were forced to believe they were “evil,” and their punishments were framed as acts of love.
Clarke stated that the case was one of the worst child abuse instances in his career, emphasizing that the abuse would have been apparent to anyone who saw the children. He expressed concern about the level of influence Hildebrandt had over Franke, describing Franke as essentially a follower of Hildebrandt.
Hildebrandt, despite pleading guilty to child abuse, displayed what Clarke characterized as “little to no remorse” for her actions. In a press conference, Clarke expressed his hope that Hildebrandt serves more time, emphasizing the need for her to acknowledge wrongdoing without using religion as a means to justify the behavior.
During the sentencing hearing, Franke apologized directly to her six children, acknowledging the deep harm she had caused. She tearfully expressed regret for her distorted version of reality and the disorientation that led to the abuse.
The court proceedings shed light on Franke’s collaboration with Hildebrandt, challenging Franke’s earlier denial of being Hildebrandt’s business partner. Franke’s sisters, Julie Griffiths Deru and Bonnie Hoellein, had previously raised concerns about Hildebrandt and her teachings, expressing discomfort with the influence she had on Franke and their family.
As the sentencing unfolded, it became evident that Franke’s case has broader implications, raising questions about the darker side of family vlogging channels. Franke, her husband Kevin Franke, and their six children had risen to fame on YouTube, amassing millions of subscribers before the channel’s closure.
The sentencing has left followers and observers grappling with the severity of the abuse, the influence of Hildebrandt, and the lasting impact on Franke’s children. As Franke begins her prison term, the Utah Board of Pardons and Parole will determine the actual duration of her incarceration, leaving many to wonder how many years Ruby Franke will ultimately spend behind bars.