Ruby Franke Wikipedia, Wiki, Mugshot, Kids, Police, Child Abuse, Net Worth, Siblings, Instagram, Youtube
Ruby Franke Wikipedia, Wiki, Mugshot, Kids, Police, Child Abuse, Net Worth, Siblings, Instagram, Youtube – Ruby Franke, a name once synonymous with family vlogs and YouTube stardom, saw her life take a dramatic turn in 2023 when she faced arrest on suspicion of aggravated child abuse. This article delves into Ruby Franke’s life, career, and the shocking scandal that has left the YouTube community and her fans in disbelief.
Ruby Franke Early Life and Education
Ruby Franke’s journey began on January 18, 1982, in Utah, USA. She was born into a family of YouTube stars, with siblings Beau Griffiths, Bonnie Hoellein, Ellie Mecham, and Julie Deru, all running their own family vlogging channels. Growing up, Ruby adhered to the teachings of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in a Mormon household.
It was during her time at Utah State University that Ruby crossed paths with her future husband, Kevin Franke, a businessman. They exchanged vows in 2003 and went on to build a family together, welcoming six children into their lives: Shari (2004), Chad (2006), Abby (2007), Julie (2009), Russell (2011), and Eve (2014).
Ruby Franke YouTube Career and Net Worth
In January 2015, Ruby Franke embarked on her YouTube journey with the creation of the “8 Passengers” channel, alongside her husband, Kevin. The channel’s name was a nod to their family car, which boasted eight seats. What started as a simple family vlog soon gained immense popularity as it showcased the daily lives, challenges, and adventures of the Franke family.
Some of their most viral videos included “BABY climbs out of crib!!!,” “So Am I Sick?,” and “Kids First Kiss.” Collaborations with other family vloggers, like The Ohana Adventure, The Bucket List Family, and Studio C, further fueled their channel’s success.
At its zenith, the channel boasted around 2.5 million subscribers and over one billion views. According to Social Blade, the Franke family earned an estimated $14.9K – $238.7K per month and $178.8K – $2.9M per year from YouTube ad revenue alone. Ruby Franke also diversified her income through sponsorships, merchandise sales, and book deals.
Ruby authored two books, “8 Passengers: A Year of Living Together” in 2018 and “8 Passengers: A Year of Growing Together” in 2019, sharing her family’s experiences. In 2020, she launched a podcast, “The Mom Voice,” with her friend Lauren Jones.
As of 2022, Ruby Franke’s estimated net worth was around $500,000. However, this figure might have fluctuated significantly following her arrest and the deletion of her YouTube channel.
Ruby Franke Family, Parents & Siblings
Ruby Franke’s parents, Jennifer and Chad Griffiths, are devout members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Her four siblings, also YouTube stars, have their own family vlogging channels:
- Beau Griffiths and his wife Emily run “Beau’s Life” with their son Oliver.
- Bonnie Hoellein and her husband Joel helm “Bonnie Hoellein” with their four children: Lincoln, Cody, Boston, and Olivia.
- Ellie Mecham and her husband Jared operate “Ellie and Jared” with their four sons: Jackson, Calvin, Tommy, and Porter.
- Julie Deru and her husband Landon run “The Deru Crew Vlogs” with their four children: Emma, Cooper, Porter, and Lucy.
Ruby Franke and her siblings shared a close bond, often collaborating on YouTube videos and supporting each other’s endeavors. However, following Ruby’s arrest on child abuse charges in August 2023, her siblings distanced themselves from her, with only Bonnie Hoellein posting a vague message on Instagram, expressing love with a heart emoji.
Ruby Franke Marriage, Husband & Kids
Ruby Franke’s husband, Kevin Franke, was a businessman and former associate professor at Brigham Young University. Together, they parented six children: Shari, Chad, Abby, Julie, Russell, and Eve. Their family adventures were documented on the popular “8 Passengers” channel, which boasted millions of subscribers and views.
However, the shocking turn of events in August 2023 disrupted their lives. Ruby Franke, along with her business partner Jodi Hildebrandt, founder of the ConneXions parent counseling service, was arrested on suspicion of aggravated child abuse. The arrest followed a harrowing incident where a child escaped from Hildebrandt’s residence, seeking help from a neighbor. This child displayed signs of emaciation and maltreatment, sparking the investigation.
Another child was discovered in a similar condition at the house, leading to both children receiving medical attention. Furthermore, four minors were placed under the care of the Department of Child and Family Services. The police revealed that a recent YouTube video filmed by Ruby Franke at the house, just days before her arrest, suggested her awareness of the abuse, neglect, and malnourishment. Subsequently, this video, along with the entire “8 Passengers” channel, was removed from YouTube.
Ruby Franke Controversy and Child Abuse Allegations
Throughout her YouTube career, Ruby Franke faced ongoing controversy and criticism concerning her parenting decisions and methods, which many perceived as harsh or neglectful. Some of these incidents included:
- Forcing her son Chad to sleep on a bean bag in the family room for seven months as a punishment.
- Removing her daughter Abby’s bedroom door for privacy reasons.
- Leaving her son Russell behind at a park while taking the rest of the family to a movie.
- Making her daughter Eve cry by telling her that Santa Claus would not bring her presents.
- Giving away her son Chad’s pet lizard without his consent.
- Sending her son Chad to a wilderness therapy camp without an explanation.
These incidents prompted concerned viewers to initiate petitions to report the channel to Child Protective Services (CPS) and YouTube for alleged violations of child safety policies. Some claimed to have received confirmation of ongoing CPS investigations. In response, Ruby Franke defended her parenting style as rooted in love and discipline, dismissing her critics as haters or trolls who failed to comprehend her family’s situation.
In August 2023, Ruby Franke’s parenting controversy took a dark turn with her arrest on child abuse allegations. The arrest was triggered by a child escaping from Jodi Hildebrandt’s residence and seeking help from a neighbor. This child, along with another found in similar conditions, prompted an investigation that led to Ruby Franke’s arrest. The video evidence from her YouTube channel added weight to the allegations, which eventually led to the removal of the channel.
Ruby Franke Current Status and Future Prospects
As of September 1, 2023, Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt remain in custody, awaiting trial. Their court dates have yet to be announced. Ruby Franke’s husband, Kevin Franke, has maintained silence regarding the case and his wife’s arrest. He is reportedly caring for their four other children, who are not implicated in the allegations.
Ruby Franke’s siblings have largely refrained from commenting on the matter, except for Bonnie Hoellein, who posted a cryptic message on Instagram expressing love. Ruby’s arrest has deeply affected her fans and supporters, who followed her family’s journey for years. Some express sympathy and hope for her recovery, while others condemn her actions and demand justice for her children. Many have questioned YouTube’s role in enabling and profiting from her family’s content, which has been criticized as exploitative and abusive.
Ruby Franke Siblings
Ruby Franke has four siblings: Ellie Mecham, Bonnie Hoellein, Julie Deru, and Beau Griffiths.
In the wake of Ruby’s arrest, her sisters, Ellie Mecham, Bonnie Hoellein, and Julie Deru, broke their silence, revealing their efforts behind the scenes to ensure the safety of Ruby’s children. They expressed their commitment to prioritize the well-being of the kids, emphasizing the need for Ruby’s arrest and Jodi Hildebrandt’s arrest. Further details and comments on the situation were limited.
Are Ruby Franke and Kevin Franke Still Together?
Ruby and Kevin Franke have maintained a noticeable silence amid ongoing reports of their divorce. While the couple has not officially confirmed their separation, reports suggest that Kevin has moved out and separated from Ruby. In 2020, the couple faced backlash for allowing their six-year-old daughter, Eve, to attend school without lunch. Kevin defended their decision, highlighting their efforts to teach their children responsibility and self-reliance.
Facts about Ruby Franke
- Ruby is one of five siblings, all of whom are YouTube stars.
- She met her husband, Kevin Franke, at Utah State University.
- “8 Passengers,” Ruby’s YouTube channel, was launched in January 2015.
- Ruby authored two books: “8 Passengers: A Year of Living Together” in 2018 and “8 Passengers: A Year of Growing Together” in 2019.
How did Ruby Franke get caught?
Ruby Franke’s arrest came to light when one of her children managed to escape from a residence owned by her business partner, Jodi Hildebrandt, in Ivins, Utah. The child fled to a neighbor’s house, and it was there that the neighbor noticed something distressing – duct tape on the child’s wrists and ankles. Concerned for the child’s well-being, the neighbor promptly contacted the police, ultimately leading to Ruby Franke’s arrest.
Has Ruby Franke been charged?
Yes, Ruby Franke has been charged. The police arrested her on charges related to child abuse. Specifically, she faces six felony counts of aggravated child abuse. This serious development follows an incident where her malnourished child escaped through a window. It’s a stark contrast to her past life as a family vlogger with a large following, but these charges are indeed a reality she now confronts.
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