Ruby Franke, the former parenting YouTuber who once had over two million subscribers, is now incarcerated at Utah State Correctional Facility in Salt Lake City. She was convicted on four counts of aggravated child abuse in February 2024 and received four consecutive sentences of one to 15 years, totaling four to 30 years. Her first parole hearing is scheduled for December 2026.
The Rise and Fall of Ruby Franke
Franke launched her YouTube channel 8 Passengers in 2015 alongside her ex-husband, sharing parenting advice and family videos. Her controversial approach to parenting began to raise concerns among fans, leading to complaints and calls to police. The full extent of her behavior came to light in August 2023 when her malnourished 12-year-old son escaped through a window of Jodi Hildebrandt's home in Ivins, Utah, and fled to a neighbor's house desperately seeking food and water.
The Role of Jodi Hildebrandt
Franke had met family counselor and founder of life coaching company ConneXions, Jodi Hildebrandt, through their shared church community. The two grew close, and Hildebrandt became fixated on "fixing" Franke's family, harboring the disturbing belief that her two youngest children were evil and possessed by demons. This resulted in both the 12-year-old and his nine-year-old sister being held captive inside Hildebrandt's home. Police records revealed the boy had lacerations on his wrists and ankles consistent with having been bound with rope.
Arrest and Conviction
Both Franke and Hildebrandt were arrested in August 2023 after neighbors alerted police to concerns about Franke's youngest children. Franke pleaded guilty to and was convicted of four counts of aggravated child abuse. Hildebrandt received the identical sentence and is also serving time at Utah State Correctional Facility, though she is held in a separate wing from Franke.
Where Is Ruby Franke Now?
Due to Utah's indeterminate sentencing regulations, the state's parole board will decide Franke's final release date once she completes the mandatory four-year minimum term. Her initial parole hearing is scheduled for December 2026. The Channel 5 documentary "Our Evil Mother: The Ruby Franke Scandal" airs on Tuesday, June 29, at 10pm, examining the rise and fall of the disgraced influencer.
