Family Vlogging: The Disturbing Case of Ruby Franke

Ruby Franke, an individual who became a notable figure in the realm of family vlogging, embarked on her journey to digital prominence around early 2015 when she inaugurated her YouTube channel named “8 Passengers.” The channel was a canvas where Ruby, alongside her husband Kevin and their six children, painted a vivid portrayal of their family life in Utah. Ruby’s channel burgeoned into a substantial platform, boasting almost 2.5 million subscribers and accumulating around 1 billion views by June 2020.

Ruby’s content was a mosaic of familial experiences, adventures, and the multifaceted nature of parenting. The channel was not merely a window into their lives but also became a conduit through which viewers could engage with various aspects of family life, parenting strategies, and the challenges and triumphs that punctuate the journey of parenthood. However, the channel was not without its shadows. It became the epicenter of criticism and scrutiny, particularly concerning Ruby’s approach to discipline and child-rearing.

The undercurrents of controversy began to surface prominently around 2020, where certain disciplinary actions, such as severe punishments, withholding of food, and the utilization of a wilderness camp for troubled teens, became the crucible of public and viewer concern. This led to a crescendo of worry and criticism, culminating in a petition on Change.org that spotlighted and reported perceived instances of child abuse and neglect.

In a significant shift in 2022, Ruby’s personal life underwent changes, marked by her separation from her husband, Kevin. Post-separation, Ruby ventured into new professional avenues, aligning herself with the realms of mental health and counseling. She collaborated with Jodi Nan Hildebrandt in ConneXions, where she embraced the role of a mental health coach. This partnership also blossomed into new digital ventures, including a new video channel and the initiation of parenting classes.

However, the tapestry of Ruby’s digital and personal life became marred by legal tribulations in August 2023. A harrowing incident, where her 12-year-old son was found in a state of distress and malnourishment, became the catalyst for legal intervention and subsequent charges of aggravated child abuse against Ruby and her business partner, Jodi Nan Hildebrandt. This incident unveiled a troubling landscape of alleged abuse, leading to the involvement of Utah’s Division of Child and Family Services and the placement of Ruby’s minor children under protective care.

Ruby Franke’s journey, from a family vlogger to a figure embroiled in legal and ethical controversies, is a complex narrative marked by success, criticism, and legal scrutiny. Her story is a confluence of public persona and private turmoil, where the realms of digital portrayal, parenting philosophies, and legal accountability intersect and collide

How Did The 8 Passengers Gain So Much Popularity

The channel focused on family-oriented content, sharing the daily lives, adventures, and challenges of the Franke family. Viewers could relate to their experiences, making the content appealing to a wide audience, especially families.

Consistency

The channel consistently uploaded content, keeping viewers engaged and looking forward to new videos. This consistency helped in building a loyal audience over time.

Authenticity

Ruby Franke presented herself and her family in an authentic manner, sharing both the highs and lows of family life. This authenticity helped viewers feel a connection to the Franke family.

Engagement with Viewers

The channel engaged with its viewers by responding to comments and incorporating viewer feedback and suggestions. This engagement helped in building a community around the channel.

Variety of Content

8 Passengers” offered a variety of content, including vlogs, challenges, and discussions on parenting and family life. This variety kept the content fresh and appealing to different audience segments.

Trends and Challenges

The channel also participated in popular trends and challenges, which helped in attracting a broader audience and keeping the content relevant and exciting.

Collaborations with other YouTubers and influencers could have also contributed to the channel’s popularity by exposing it to a wider audience.

Marketing and Promotion

Effective use of social media and other platforms for promoting the channel and its content also played a role in its popularity.

Visual and Editing Style

The channel’s visual presentation and editing style were appealing, making the videos enjoyable to watch.

Storytelling

Ruby had a way of storytelling that made the vlogs interesting. The way daily life events were narrated and presented made viewers come back for more.

Despite its popularity, it’s essential to note that the channel also faced criticism and controversy, particularly regarding parenting styles and the sharing of personal family moments. The recent legal issues faced by Ruby Franke have also impacted the channel’s reputation and viewership.

How Did Ruby Get Caught For Child Abuse?

Ruby Franke was caught and subsequently arrested for child abuse after a series of alarming events that culminated in one of her children seeking help from a neighbor. According to various reports, including one from NPR, the incident that led to her arrest involved her 12-year-old son escaping from a window and running to a neighbor’s house asking for food and water.

This act of desperation by her son prompted an investigation, which unveiled the alleged abusive conditions the children were subjected to. The authorities were alerted, and based on the findings of their investigation, Ruby Franke was formally charged with multiple counts of child abuse.

The allegations and legal charges against Franke have been a subject of significant media coverage, reflecting the severity of the accusations and the level of public interest and concern regarding child welfare in such cases. The legal proceedings are ongoing, and further details and outcomes are expected to emerge as the case progresses through the judicial system.

The Charges

Ruby Franke, the family vlogger behind the now-defunct YouTube channel “8 Passengers,” was formally charged with six counts of felony child abuse in Washington County, Utah. The arrest followed a distressing incident where Franke’s 12-year-old son escaped from a window and sought help from a neighbor, asking for food and water. The neighbor, upon noticing duct tape around the child’s ankles and wrists and the child’s malnourished appearance, contacted the police.

The police’s investigation revealed alarming conditions. They found Franke’s 10-year-old daughter in a similar malnourished state, with both children showing signs of severe physical abuse, including “deep lacerations” from being tied up with a rope. Consequently, all of Franke’s minor children were taken into the care of Utah’s Child and Family Services.

Ruby Franke and her business partner, Jodi Hildebrandt, were both arrested and charged with multiple counts of aggravated child abuse. They were held in custody, with court appearances scheduled to address the charges.

Before the legal issues, Franke had gained national attention through her YouTube channel, where she documented her life as a mother of six children. However, the channel faced criticism for Franke’s strict and controversial parenting tactics, which included threatening to withhold meals as a form of punishment. Franke had also been collaborating with Hildebrandt on a mental health counseling service named ConneXions, which faced scrutiny for its advice on parenting, including promoting shame-based learning and shunning those with differing values

Why Did CPS Take So Long?

The delay in Child Protective Services (CPS) or Division of Child and Family Services (DCFS) intervention in Ruby Franke’s case seems to be due to a combination of factors, including the lack of immediate and clear evidence of abuse and the nature of the allegations.

Community Awareness

Neighbors and community members had expressed concerns about the wellbeing of Franke’s children. However, these concerns might not have been severe or explicit enough to prompt immediate action by CPS.

Previous Reports

There were instances where neighbors had communicated with DCFS about their concerns regarding the Franke children being left alone for extended periods. However, these communications might not have led to immediate action due to the nature of the concerns raised.

Visibility and Public Image

Ruby Franke’s public image as a family vlogger might have played a role in the perception of the family’s situation. The content shared on their YouTube channel “8 Passengers” portrayed a family life that might not have raised immediate red flags for severe abuse.

Nature of Allegations

The allegations and concerns raised might not have been immediately clear or severe enough to warrant urgent intervention without further investigation.

Legal and Procedural Considerations

CPS operates within legal and procedural frameworks that require a certain level of evidence and due process before taking decisive action, such as removing children from their homes.

In conclusion, while there were signs of concern and previous reports made to child protective services, the nature of the allegations, combined with legal and procedural considerations, might have contributed to the delay in intervention in Ruby Franke’s case.

Child Abuse Laws In Utah

The Utah state law categorizes aggravated child abuse as a serious offense, and it is dealt with severe legal penalties.

Aggravated Child Abuse: According to Utah Code § 76-5-109.2, aggravated child abuse is committed when an individual intentionally or knowingly causes serious physical injury to a child or allows someone else to do so.

Aggravated child abuse is typically classified as a second-degree felony if the crime is committed intentionally or knowingly. However, the degree of the felony can vary based on the severity of the abuse and the intent behind the actions.

Imprisonment

Being convicted of a second-degree felony in Utah could lead to imprisonment. The exact duration of the imprisonment would depend on the specific circumstances of the case and the discretion of the court. Convictions for aggravated child abuse may also result in substantial fines. The amount of the fine would be determined by the court based on the severity of the offense.

Other Legal Consequences

Convicted individuals might also face additional legal consequences, such as mandatory counseling, restraining orders, or loss of custody or visitation rights concerning the abused child or other minors.

Factors Influencing Penalties

The severity of the physical injuries inflicted on the child plays a significant role in determining the legal penalties. The legal penalties might be influenced by whether the accused has previous convictions or a history of child abuse or other violent crimes.

The age of the abused child might also be a factor that influences the legal penalties imposed on the convicted individual.

It’s essential to note that each case of aggravated child abuse is unique, and the legal penalties are determined based on the specific facts and circumstances of each case. For a more comprehensive understanding of the legal provisions and penalties associated with aggravated child abuse in Utah, referring to the full text of the Utah Code or consulting legal experts specialized in this area would be advisable.

Need Help? Call Us Now!

Do not forget that when you or anyone you know is facing a criminal charge, you have us, the Law Office of Bryan Fagan, by your side to help you build the best defense case for you. We will work and be in your best interest for you and we will obtain the best possible outcome that can benefit you. We can explain everything you need to know about your trial and how to defend your case best. We can help you step by step through the criminal process.

Therefore, do not hesitate to call us if you find yourself or someone you know that is facing criminal charges unsure about the court system. We will work with you to give you the best type of defense that can help you solve your case. It is vital to have someone explain the result of the charge to you and guide you in the best possible way.

Here at the Law Office of Bryan Fagan, we have professional and knowledgeable criminal law attorneys who are experienced in building a defense case for you that suits your needs for the best possible outcome that can benefit you.

Also, here at the Law Office of Bryan Fagan, you are given a free consultation at your convenience. You may choose to have your appointment via Zoom, google meet, email, or an in-person appointment; and we will provide you with as much advice and information as possible so you can have the best possible result in your case.

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