A family vlogging channel from Utah who posted daily about life events and parenting tactics, run by Ruby Franke who began her Youtube channel “8 Passengers” back in 2015. The channel also was dedicated to documenting their life since that was a significant practice of the Mormon religion. The name 8 Passenger comes from the number of kids (six) plus the parents (two). Ever since then the channel has gained 2.5 million subscribers by 2020 and continuously thrived until it all went downhill.
Shari Franke, the oldest child, has come out with her story of the twisted 8 Passengers family in her new book, The House of My Mother.
For more context, the decline started around the end of 2020 when viewers started becoming alarmed with Ruby and her husband Kevin’s parenting skills. Viewers began making videos of disturbing methods the parents had used and even called CPS multiple times at one point. Sadly, CPS never followed through with any actions. The channel’s posting schedule declined dramatically from posting everyday, to once every week, to rarely.
Eventually, Ruby came publicly forward with Jodi Hildebrandt (former counselor) and their brand ConneXions (originally Jodi’s) to promote Mormon mental health teachings.
Fast forward to August of 2023, Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt were finally arrested and charged with six counts of felony aggravated child abuse of the youngest children in the family. This was due to the fact that the youngest son had escaped and found help to save his sister and himself. The two youngest children had been tied up and very malnourished. They were trapped inside the household of Jodi Hildebrandt. Throughout the time that they were there, they were forced to do manual labor in the hot summer heat with no food, water, or shoes.
Once the police arrived at Jodi’s house from the youngest son seeking help, they were able to find the youngest daughter who took 4 hours to even move or speak to the police. The children had previously been coached on how they would react when police arrived. This is why it took so long for her to do anything when the police actually arrived.
Along with this abuse, the two teenage daughters of Ruby were left alone at the Franke residence 5 hours away from Jodi’s house weeks at a time.
Jodi and Ruby later pled guilty and were sentenced to serve anywhere between four to thirty years in prison in December of 2023.
At last, Shari released The House of My Mother on January 7, 2025 and has received great feedback and sympathy from readers. I am truly happy that she has been able to share her story of abuse and online exploitation.
In the memoir, Shari has explained her childhood in the Franke household which was filled with a great amount of mental and physical abuse. I knew that towards the end of 8 Passengers’ Youtube career that there was abuse occurring, but I was shocked to read that she has been being physically abused by Ruby since the age of five.
It was super interesting to read about the behind the scenes of filming. Many of the clips that are seen in the vlog had to be taken over and over for Ruby’s satisfaction. Throughout these vlogs the childrens’ privacy was constantly invaded. From the teens experiencing puberty changes to punishing her youngest daughter (6 at the time) for forgetting her lunch and hoping she starves was all documented on this channel. These are just a few of the many disgusting things Ruby Franke did to her children.
Furthermore, Shari also explains how Jodi ended up moving in with the family due to “demonic spirits” possessing her. Prior to this, Jodi had originally gotten involved with the Franke family through being the oldest son’s therapist. Chad Franke was Jodi’s first Franke victim and was ultimately sent to a wilderness camp for 6 months. Later, Shari ended up receiving therapy as well from Jodi.
When Jodi moved in, she took over Shari’s room a little before heading to college. In the book, it had been said that Ruby was having an affair with Jodi during this time. Kevin was also forced out of the house due to his “inappropriate addictions and acts” which weren’t even true.
Jodi tore the Franke family to shreds.
The fact that all of these children had to endure this physical and emotional abuse is so saddening. I am very happy that justice has been served and I hope that they are all healthy and thriving. I’ll leave the rest of the story to tell up to Shari Franke in her book, The House of My Mother.
