Dark Secrets of Ruby Franke’s Family Uncovered in Hulu’s New Docuseries

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah — The troubling narrative of family vlogger Ruby Franke takes center stage in Hulu’s latest docuseries, “Devil in the Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke.” The series chronicles the shocking allegations and aftermath of Franke’s arrest for child abuse in August 2023, revealing a disturbing reality behind her seemingly perfect YouTube family life.

Once heralded for her parenting tips and family dynamics on the YouTube channel “8 Passengers,” which garnered millions of views, Ruby Franke now faces the consequences of serious misconduct. Franke, alongside family therapist Jodi Hildebrandt, was arrested after Franke’s 12-year-old son escaped from their home, revealing a situation of severe neglect and abuse.

In the docuseries, interviews with Franke’s estranged husband Kevin and their two eldest children, Shari and Chad, provide a firsthand account of the escalating turmoil that led to their mother’s arrest. Kevin Franke expressed in the series that communicating his side of the story became crucial following years of being silenced. “This is my ability to take control of my own story and speak it in my own words,” Kevin stated.

Franke’s troubles began in 2015 when she launched “8 Passengers,” a channel showcasing her six children’s daily lives. Despite its success, concerns about her harsh parenting methods grew over time. Notably, in June 2020, her then-15-year-old son Chad disclosed on camera that he had been sleeping on a beanbag chair for months as a form of punishment. That and other disciplinary practices raised red flags among viewers.

In 2020, Child Protective Services conducted a welfare check at the Franke residence but left without any charges, reportedly impressed by Ruby’s parenting style. However, the arrival of therapist Jodi Hildebrandt marked a turning point, as Ruby grew increasingly reliant on her teachings, which some family members found alarming.

With Hildebrandt’s influence, Kevin found himself alienated from his family, as Ruby began to adopt increasingly severe disciplinary practices under the guise of parenting. Allegations emerged that the children faced mental and physical abuse, including severe emotional distress and neglect.

The night of the arrest in August 2023, Ruby’s 12-year-old son climbed out of a window and fled to a neighbor’s home, appearing emaciated and bearing signs of physical restraint. The police discovered his sibling, a 9-year-old girl, also in a state of neglect. Both children recounted horrifying tales of being bound, starved, and subjected to arduous physical tasks, all under their mother’s misguided belief that they were possessed.

Following their arrest, both Ruby and Jodi Hildebrandt pleaded guilty to multiple counts of child abuse. In February 2024, Ruby Franke was sentenced to serve between 4 and 30 years, with Hildebrandt facing a similar fate. Statements made by Ruby during her sentencing reflected her remorse, as she acknowledged the profound impact her decisions had on her children.

As the Franke family navigates the aftermath, Kevin Franke is pursuing custody of his children, and both Shari and Chad have begun to share their stories through the docuseries and other platforms. With the release of “Devil in the Family,” the hope is for audiences to grasp the deeper complexities of public personas versus private truths.

In a statement, Kevin remarked on the challenge of maintaining a public image amidst a deeply flawed personal situation, emphasizing the need for families grappling with such issues to speak out. The series invites viewers to reflect on the signs of abuse hidden behind the facade of family-friendly content shared online.