Malevolent Mormon Mommys | The Case Against Ruby Franke & Jodi Hildebrandt27 Mars

8 Passengers Fallout: Divorce Finalized as Ruby Franke Serves Prison Time

8 Passengers Fallout: Divorce Finalized as Ruby Franke Serves Prison Time

The story of Ruby Franke officially closed a major chapter this week as a Utah judge signed off on her divorce from Kevin Franke—marking the legal end to a marriage that once played out in front of millions on YouTube, before unraveling in one of the most disturbing child abuse cases the state has seen in years.

It’s now on paper: the marriage that began in 2000, spanned six children, and was broadcast through a curated lens on the “8 Passengers” channel, is over. But the real story isn’t the divorce. It’s the fact that Kevin Franke is now the sole legal guardian of their four remaining minor children—kids who were, until recently, trapped in an abusive nightmare behind the closed doors of a so-called parenting enterprise.

Let’s rewind to how we got here. In August 2023, the illusion broke. One of the youngest Franke children—emaciated, injured, and desperate—escaped out of a window from the home of Jodi Hildebrandt in Ivins, Utah. That home wasn’t a safehouse. It was a crime scene. The boy went to a neighbor’s house asking for food and water, and what they saw led them to call police immediately. Authorities later found his sister in similar condition.

The two women at the center—Ruby Franke and her business partner, Jodi Hildebrandt—were arrested and eventually admitted to four counts each of aggravated child abuse, a second-degree felony. According to Washington County Attorney Eric Clarke, the kids had been kept in conditions he described as “concentration camp-like.” We're talking about extreme malnutrition, physical injuries, emotional torment—the works.

Ruby Franke is now serving at least four years in Utah State Prison, with four consecutive sentences of one to fifteen years each. She’s admitted to a range of abuses, including physically torturing her son, dunking his head underwater, forcing him into strenuous physical tasks, and making both children stand in direct sunlight for long periods without food or water. This wasn’t “tough love.” It was cruelty, systemized and delivered under the pretense of discipline.

Meanwhile, the divorce paperwork went through the usual formalities. Filed under “irreconcilable differences”—which feels like calling a wildfire a small campfire. Kevin Franke submitted the signed stipulation in early March, and by March 20th, Judge Roger Griffin finalized the divorce decree.

Under the agreement, Kevin walks away with full custody, their Springville home, and a 2.8-acre property in Scofield. Ruby gets to keep $85,000 she withdrew before they split, but the rest of the couple’s joint financial accounts go to Kevin, with the exception of an investment account in her name.

Kevin also agreed not to pursue child support from Ruby, effectively considering anything owed already paid. It’s a move that might say more about his priorities—focused on healing the kids rather than fighting over dollars. Neither side asked for alimony. Apparently, they both have what they need to move on—at least financially.

What’s more, despite everything, Ruby Franke has chosen to keep the last name “Franke.” Whether that’s a legal convenience or something deeper is anyone’s guess, but it’s a curious choice given the devastation tied to that name now.

Both Ruby and Jodi Hildebrandt accepted plea deals that cut their total charges from six to four. But make no mistake—the weight of what they admitted to remains enormous. They each face up to 60 years behind bars, though with Utah's system, they’ll be eligible for parole after four.

At her sentencing, Ruby addressed her children, thanking the police for “saving them”—and, she said, saving her. She claimed that being handcuffed was the beginning of her freedom, describing herself as so twisted by manipulation that she believed “dark was light and right was wrong.” It’s a haunting statement, especially when you consider the cost it came with.

In the end, the legal lines are drawn. Kevin Franke has custody. Ruby Franke has convictions. And six children are now trying to rebuild a childhood that was shattered under the watchful eye of a camera and the hidden weight of abuse.

#8PassengersCase #RubyFranke #ChildAbuseSentencing #FrankeDivorceFinalized

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FBI Profiler Analyzes Kevin Franke’s Behavior In Ruby Franke Devil In The Family Doc

FBI Profiler Analyzes Kevin Franke’s Behavior In Ruby Franke Devil In The Family Doc Was Kevin Frankie just an oblivious husband caught in the crossfire of a manipulative cult-like influence, or was he a willing enabler turning a blind eye to the horrors unfolding in his own home? Hulu's Devil in the Family has reignited the public debate, shifting the spotlight onto Kevin and his role—or lack thereof—in the Ruby Frankie child abuse case. FBI behavioral expert Robin Dreeke joins the conversation to break down Kevin’s statements, body language, and just how deep the psychological manipulation may have gone. Was Kevin truly kept in the dark, or is he still rationalizing his own inaction? And what role did the twisted interpretations of faith play in justifying the unthinkable? #RubyFrankie #KevinFrankie #TrueCrime #HiddenKillers #RobinDreeke #BehavioralAnalysis #CrimeInvestigation Want to listen to ALL of our podcasts AD-FREE? Subscribe through APPLE PODCASTS, and try it for three days free: https://tinyurl.com/ycw626tj Follow Our Other Cases: https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com The latest on The Downfall of Diddy, The Trial of Karen Read, The Murder Of Maddie Soto, Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Awaiting Admission: BTK’s Unconfessed Crimes, Delphi Murders: Inside the Crime, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Malevolent Mormon Mommys, The Menendez Brothers: Quest For Justice, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, The Murder Of Sandra Birchmore, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com

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Does Kevin Franke Really 'Get It', If He Still Loves Ruby Franke?

Does Kevin Franke Really 'Get It', If He Still Loves Ruby Franke? Was Kevin Franke a victim of coercion, or did he just turn a blind eye? The case of Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt has been dissected from every angle, but Kevin—the husband who stayed, the father who didn’t intervene—is a puzzle in himself. Psychotherapist and author Shavaun Scott joins Tony Brueski to unravel the layers of manipulation, blind faith, and pathological passivity that may have led Kevin to abandon his children to a house of horrors. Kevin now claims he was just another victim, swept up in a toxic mix of religious obedience and psychological control. But can we really accept that explanation? Or is it a convenient way to dodge accountability for the role he played—or failed to play—in protecting his own kids? As a new Hulu documentary attempts to shed light on his story, we ask the question: Should Kevin Franke be held responsible, or is he just another casualty of a cult-like system? #RubyFranke #KevinFranke #JodiHildebrandt #TrueCrime #HiddenKillers #CoerciveControl #CrimeDocumentary Want to listen to ALL of our podcasts AD-FREE? Subscribe through APPLE PODCASTS, and try it for three days free: https://tinyurl.com/ycw626tj Follow Our Other Cases: https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com The latest on The Downfall of Diddy, The Trial of Karen Read, The Murder Of Maddie Soto, Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Awaiting Admission: BTK’s Unconfessed Crimes, Delphi Murders: Inside the Crime, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Malevolent Mormon Mommys, The Menendez Brothers: Quest For Justice, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, The Murder Of Sandra Birchmore, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com

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Kevin Franke Finally Speaks Out The Truth About Ruby Franke’s Abuse

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4 Mars 12min

Kevin Franke Finally Speaks Out The Truth About Ruby Franke’s Abuse

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4 Mars 12min

Convicted YouTuber Ruby Franke Left Journal Detailing Abuse of Her ‘Demonic’ Children

Before Ruby Franke, the infamous YouTube mom behind the "8Passengers" channel, pleaded guilty to child abuse charges, authorities uncovered something chilling—a handwritten journal detailing the suffering she inflicted on her own children. In it, she described acts of cruelty with a detachment that made even seasoned investigators pause. As revealed in Hulu’s new docuseries Devil in the Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke, a police investigator reads from the journal, bringing Franke’s own words into the open. One entry is particularly disturbing: "Sleep outside, shaved her head, doused her with water, over his nose and mouth, head in the toilet, needs to be painful. Blood on his face, scream and scream." Another entry is no less horrifying: "I told the boy, he emulates a snake. If he wants to emulate the Savior, he needs to be a hundred percent obedient with exactness. The body must engage in good work and the good works need to be painful. I have the power of God and he must obey." The extent of the abuse detailed in these pages is staggering. In one passage, Franke wrote about forcing her son into the sun, then returning with a "cactus poker" to prod him. She recorded her own twisted logic: "When I poke his back to get in the sun, he doesn’t even flinch. I told him, give your demon friend a message for me. I will not rest. I will not stop. I will not leave. I will fight him until the day you die." These weren’t the ramblings of someone suffering a temporary lapse in judgment. They were calculated. Premeditated. Written down as if she was keeping a ledger of pain. In August 2023, it all came to an end when Franke’s 12-year-old son escaped from the home she shared with her business partner, Jodi Hildebrandt. Starving, injured, and desperate, he ran to a neighbor and pleaded for help. The neighbor, moved to tears by the boy’s skeletal appearance, called 911. Soon after, authorities discovered his 9-year-old sister inside Hildebrandt’s home in an equally horrific condition. Franke and her husband, Kevin, had gained a massive following through "8Passengers," where their brand of strict, authoritarian parenting was often defended as tough love. Their content, which amassed over 2 million subscribers, frequently walked the fine line between discipline and outright cruelty. YouTube ultimately shut down the channel after Franke’s arrest. Kevin Franke was not charged in connection with the abuse. Jodi Hildebrandt, Franke’s business partner and a former therapist, only made things worse. The founder of the so-called "ConneXions" program, a religious-based self-help movement, Hildebrandt reportedly encouraged extreme parenting methods, preying on vulnerabilities within the Mormon community. According to a therapist featured in the docuseries, Hildebrandt "was excellent at exploiting Mormon anxiety." Her influence, combined with Franke’s already dangerous beliefs, created a toxic and violent environment for the children trapped in their care. Both Franke and Hildebrandt pleaded guilty to four counts of aggravated child abuse. Their sentences—ranging from four to 30 years—will be decided by the Utah Board of Pardons and Parole. At her sentencing, Franke broke down in tears, addressing her children directly. "I will never stop crying for hurting your tender souls," she said. But the damage was already done. Devil In The Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke is now streaming on Hulu. #TrueCrime #RubyFranke #8Passengers #ChildAbuse Want to listen to ALL of our podcasts AD-FREE? Subscribe through APPLE PODCASTS, and try it for three days free: https://tinyurl.com/ycw626tj Follow Our Other Cases: https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com The latest on The Downfall of Diddy, The Trial of Karen Read, The Murder Of Maddie Soto, Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Awaiting Admission: BTK’s Unconfessed Crimes, Delphi Murders: Inside the Crime, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Malevolent Mormon Mommys, The Menendez Brothers: Quest For Justice, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, The Murder Of Sandra Birchmore, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com

4 Mars 22min

Kevin Franke Seems To Think The 'Internet' Is The Main Thing To Blame For His Wife's Behavior

Kevin Franke Seems To Think The 'Internet' Is The Main Thing To Blame For His Wife's Behavior What kind of person looks at their own children suffering and blames… YouTube? Kevin Franke seems to think the real villain here is family vlogging, not the alleged abuse that unfolded right under his nose. Sure, exploiting kids for clicks is bad, but is it really the root of the problem, or just a convenient scapegoat? Tony Brueski and psychotherapist Shavaun Scott dive into the tangled mess of belief systems, cult-like influences, and straight-up denial that kept Franke blind to what was happening in his own home. As he now seeks custody of his children—and still professes love for Ruby Franke—can he truly separate himself from the toxic dynamics that led to this nightmare? Or is he just one bad influence away from repeating history? #KevinFranke #RubyFranke #TrueCrime #FamilyVlogging #ChildAbuse #HiddenKillers #Psychology Want to listen to ALL of our podcasts AD-FREE? Subscribe through APPLE PODCASTS, and try it for three days free: https://tinyurl.com/ycw626tj Follow Our Other Cases: https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com The latest on The Downfall of Diddy, The Trial of Karen Read, The Murder Of Maddie Soto, Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Awaiting Admission: BTK’s Unconfessed Crimes, Delphi Murders: Inside the Crime, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Malevolent Mormon Mommys, The Menendez Brothers: Quest For Justice, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, The Murder Of Sandra Birchmore, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com

3 Mars 12min

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