Ruby Franke’s Family Opens Up: Healing After the Nightmare
Ruby Franke, the infamous mommy vlogger who once gave us a look into her seemingly perfect Mormon life on the “8 Passengers” YouTube channel, is now at the center of a shocking real-life horror story that’s left her family grappling with the aftermath. In a candid chat with PEOPLE and in Hulu’s gripping docuseries, *Devil in the Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke*, her husband Kevin and their son Chad are finally spilling the tea on their tumultuous journey since Ruby and her therapist, Jodi Hildebrandt, pled guilty to felony child abuse involving two of their six children. Cue the collective gasp.
Back in 2023, Ruby, 43, and Hildebrandt, 55, found themselves facing years behind bars after disturbing allegations came to light—thanks in part to one of Ruby’s children escaping a Utah home, severely malnourished and bound with duct tape. What followed was an avalanche of outrage from viewers who once adored the family, raising questions about Ruby’s strict and often bizarre parenting tactics, which included outright food deprivation and extreme punishments.
“Life is beginning to feel more normal, but there’s still a lot of pain and healing to be done,” Kevin Franke, 46, shared, reflecting a sense of cautious optimism about moving forward. He admitted that each day presents challenges, but there’s a light at the end of the tunnel—at least one that doesn’t involve long-term prison bars.
Kevin and Chad, now 20, have opened up not just for the docuseries set to drop on February 27, but also in the latest PEOPLE cover story, allowing viewers to understand the surreal shift from internet stardom to personal tragedy. Once raking in up to a staggering $100,000 a month, their wholesome family facade has crumbled in the wake of scrutiny and backlash from fans over their controversial methods of parenting. “That was the spark that blew the powder keg,” Kevin recalled about the turning point when the public outcry became deafening.
In their revelations, they suggest that Ruby felt completely indoctrinated by Hildebrandt’s extreme views on “healing,” describing the strict separation from family and harsh disciplinary measures as toxic. Kevin watched as his family unit crumbled under the weight of failing ideologies, saying, “I went along with it because I wanted my family back.” Their story is a stark reminder that sometimes, what appears picture-perfect on social media can be hiding a world of hurt.
If you suspect child abuse, help is available. Call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or go to www.childhelp.org for support.
Sources: Celebrity Storm Wire and People Magazine, Hulu
