Ruby Franke’s True Story Revealed

Lifetime movie ‘Mormon Mother Did Wrong: The Ruby Franke Story’, directed by Kevin Fair, tells the disturbing truth behind a family that seems idyllic on the outside. Known for documenting their religious lifestyle in an online series, the parents lead a seemingly harmonious existence until a change occurs. The lines between discipline and abuse begin to blur when Ruby Franke invites marriage counselor Jodi Hildebrandt to stay with the family. In this digital age, the reality of the TV movie plot doesn’t seem so far-fetched. It will be interesting to see which aspects of the film are completely fictional and which are based on a true story.

The Ups and Downs of Ruby Franke’s Vlogging Career

This TV movie is part of Lifetime’s “Capture the Headlines” series, which brings real-life crime stories to the screen. Written by Alyson Evans and Steve Kornacki, the story is inspired by the shocking events of August 2023. Ruby FrankeA well-known digital influencer came under public scrutiny after her 12-year-old son ran away from home showing clear signs of physical abuse. Following his arrest, it was revealed that both his audience and neighbors had long expressed concerns about the welfare of their children.

In 2015, Ruby Franke and her husband Kevin started the YouTube channel ‘8Passengers’, which quickly gained a huge following. Through home vlogs, they shared insights into their family life with their six children, focusing on routines, activities, and the influence of religious values ​​in Utah. Viewers were impressed by the portrayal of a family close-knit by faith. However, in early 2020, viewers began expressing concerns about some disturbing content. In one notable video, their 16-year-old son Chad revealed he was forced to sleep on a bean bag for more than seven months as a form of punishment.

In another video, Ruby talked about how her 6-year-old daughter forgot her lunch and explained that she wouldn’t be bringing her to school to teach her a lesson. By then, ‘8Passengers’ had attracted nearly 2.5 million subscribers and garnered over a billion views. But Ruby’s approach to discipline, which included withholding food as punishment and threatening to cut off the heads of stuffed toys, was seen by many as crossing the line. As concerns grew, thousands of people signed an online petition calling on Child Protective Services (CPS) to conduct a welfare check. When CPS eventually investigated, they reported finding no immediate cause for alarm. In response to the mounting criticism, Ruby and Kevin called out their followers, claiming that the events were taken out of context and insisting that their methods were aimed at strengthening discipline and resilience in their children.

Ruby Franke’s Collaboration with Jodi Hildebrandt

In early 2021, the ‘8Passengers’ channel stopped uploading content, and in 2022, Ruby and Kevin Franke broke up. Around this time, Ruby announced a partnership with Jodi Hildebrandt, host of the ConneXions podcast and founder of the company of the same name. Together, they started an Instagram page called Mother’s Day, where they shared parenting advice, but the content continued to raise suspicion. In 2022, concerns from Ruby’s neighbors led to further calls to CPS. Neighbors reported that children were left alone for long periods of time and performed manual labor such as picking weeds in the harsh sun with minimal adult supervision. In response, CPS carried out two welfare checks that year, but officers reportedly struggled to communicate with Ruby. On one occasion, officers saw the children inside the house but were unable to get them to open the door.

On August 30, 2023, Ruby’s 12-year-old son escaped from Jodi’s house and sought help from a nearby neighbor, asking for food and water. The neighbor called the police around 10:50 a.m. when it appeared the child was malnourished and showed visible signs of physical abuse. When they arrived at the scene, officers noticed that the child had open wounds on his arms and wrists that were covered with duct tape, and that the child appeared alarmingly malnourished. Police found Ruby’s 10-year-old daughter at Jodi’s home, and she was also in poor condition. Both children were immediately taken to hospital and treated. A short time later, Ruby and Jodi were arrested in Ivins, Utah.

Child Wellbeing in the Age of Family Influencers

Ruby and Jodi were charged with six felony counts of child abuse. On December 18, 2023, Ruby pleaded guilty to four counts of second-degree aggravated child abuse. During the trial, it was revealed that she deprived her children of basic needs such as food and water and forced them to do arduous household chores. He admitted to kicking his youngest son while he was putting on boots, repeatedly asking another son to carry heavy boxes up and down stairs, and frequently forcing him to sit against the wall. Franke also described his children as “possessed” and “evil”. At his sentencing on February 20, 2024, he expressed remorse and admitted that he “believed that darkness was light and right was wrong.” The court sentenced him to four consecutive prison terms ranging from one to fifteen years each.

In November 2023, Ruby and Kevin Franke finalized their divorce and YouTube shut down two channels associated with Ruby. He is currently in custody at the Utah State Prison in Salt Lake City. Eldest daughter Shari highlighted the potential for harm, citing the risks of parents making money from their children’s lives online. Ruby’s three sisters, who were also impressive, distanced themselves from her, emphasizing their disapproval. Lifetime’s film adaptation captures these events, creating a story that sheds light on the consequences of constant exposure to digital media and the problems such a lifestyle can create. The film’s critique of these excesses is a powerful commentary on the dangers of exploiting family life for online fame.

Read more: Ruby Franke: Where Is the Child Molester Now?