{"id":831328,"date":"2025-03-03T14:13:07","date_gmt":"2025-03-03T20:13:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2025\/03\/03\/what-to-know-about-convicted-child-abuser-ruby-franke-and-her-family\/"},"modified":"2025-03-03T14:13:07","modified_gmt":"2025-03-03T20:13:07","slug":"what-to-know-about-convicted-child-abuser-ruby-franke-and-her-family","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2025\/03\/03\/what-to-know-about-convicted-child-abuser-ruby-franke-and-her-family\/","title":{"rendered":"What to Know About Convicted Child Abuser Ruby Franke and Her Family"},"content":{"rendered":"

\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t

Sign Up<\/p>\n

Create a free account to access exclusive content, play games, solve puzzles, test your pop-culture knowledge and receive special offers.<\/span>
\n\t\tAlready have an account? Login<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

Former YouTuber Ruby Franke\u2019s Family Guide After Child Abuse Arrest: Where Are Her Kids Now?<\/h2>\n
\n
Updated on: February 28, 2025<\/time><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/header>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t
<\/p>\n
\n
<\/p>\n
\n
$\"Ruby$ <\/p>
Courtesy of moms_of_truth\/Instagram<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Ruby Franke was arrested for child abuse after previously documenting her family\u2019s daily life on her YouTube channel \u2014 but where are her kids now?<\/p>\n
After facing backlash for some of her parenting choices, Ruby stopped her \u201c8 Passengers\u201d channel and went on to launch ConneXions with mentor Jodi Hildebrant<\/strong> in 2022. In August 2023, Franke was arrested<\/a> on two counts of aggravated child abuse. She and Hildebrant have since pleaded guilty and were both sentenced to four consecutive prison terms.<\/p>\n
<\/body><\/p>\n
In January 2025, Franke\u2019s eldest daughter, Shari, told her side of the story in her book<\/a>, \u201cThe House of My Mother: A Daughter\u2019s Quest for Freedom.\u201d The memoir detailed her mother\u2019s alleged abuse that occurred throughout Shari\u2019s childhood. (Ruby shares her kids with husband Kevin Franke<\/strong>, who filed for divorce after her arrest.)<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I was younger, around, like, five-six, Ruby was really physical,\u201d Shari, now in her early 20s, told Good Morning America<\/em><\/a> at the time. \u201cWhether it was like a slap to the lip or a slap to the cheek \u2026 when I would practice the piano, her hand would slam and it was really scary.\u201d<\/p>\n
When asked whether there is anything she would tell Ruby today, Shari said, \u201cProbably tell her I\u2019m happy without you. I was scared of her for so long, and I am here without her approval, and I am just fine.\u201d<\/p>\n
The former couple\u2019s eldest kids \u2014 Shari and Chad \u2014 are the only ones who have preferred to remain in the public eye. The rest of the children \u2014 who are all still minors \u2014 have remained private. Scroll down for what to know about Ruby and her family:<\/p>\n
When Was Ruby Arrested?<\/h3>\n\n
$\"Ruby$ <\/p>
MEGA<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Ruby was arrested in August 2023 on two counts of aggravated child abuse after one of her sons escaped out of a window of the Utah home of Hildebrant. The son went to a neighbor\u2019s home, asking for food and water. Per authorities, the child had duct tape on his ankles and wrists and was malnourished.<\/p>\n
How Did Ruby Plead?<\/h3>\n
Ruby pleaded guilty to four counts of child abuse in December 2023, describing the \u201cphysical torture.\u201d Ruby agreed to serve a prison term and that her sentences would run consecutively, as part of the plea deal. Ruby also testified against Hildebrant, who pleaded guilty.<\/p>\n
When Was Ruby Sentenced?<\/h3>\n
Ruby was sentenced in February 2024 to four consecutive prison terms, which could range from one to 15 years each. Hildebrant received the same sentencing.<\/p>\n
While addressing the court before her sentencing, Ruby said her charges are \u201cjust.\u201d She added, \u201cThey offer safety to my family, accountability to the public.\u201d Ruby claimed she had been \u201cled to believe\u201d that the world was an \u201cevil place\u201d and thanked officials who rescued her children.<\/p>\n
\n\t\t\t <\/p>\n
\n
$\"YouTube$ <\/p>\n<\/figure>\n
\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n
What Was Hildebrant\u2019s Relationship With Ruby?<\/h3>\n
Shari wrote in her January 2025 book that Hildebrant moved into the family\u2019s home in 2022, with Kevin moving out shortly after. Shari claimed that the alleged abuse became more psychological \u2014 instead of physical \u2014 when Hildebrant became a part of the family\u2019s life.<\/p>\n
\u201cI certainly got weird vibes from Jodi and Ruby,\u201d Shari told Good Morning America<\/em> at the time, noting that Ruby was \u201csecretive\u201d about the relationship with Hildebrandt. \u201cI don\u2019t think it\u2019s normal at all that a therapist would move in to your client\u2019s home \u2026 I was moving out to college, I hadn\u2019t even left the house yet, and she is in my room and in my bed.\u201d<\/p>\n
In the book, Shari claimed she found messages on Ruby\u2019s laptop after their arrest. She wrote, \u201cRuby, expressing her frustration about having to cater to Jodi\u2019s needs for physical affection without getting anything in return.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ruby told Good Morning America<\/em> that she was \u201cnot sure\u201d whether Ruby and Hildebrant\u2019s relationship was romantic. (Before her February 2024 sentencing, Ruby said in a statement in court that Hildebrant was \u201cnever\u201d her business partner. Ruby claimed Hildebrant was \u201cemployed as my son\u2019s counselor, in 2019 and in 2020, I paid her to be my mentor.\u201d)<\/p>\n
Did Any of Ruby\u2019s Kids Reach Out to Authorities Before Her Arrest?<\/h3>\n\n
$\"Ruby$ <\/p>
Courtesy of moms_of_truth\/Instagram<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Shari claimed that she contacted authorities about the alleged abuse on multiple occasions. The Utah Division of Child and Family Services declined to comment on Shari\u2019s claims in a statement to ABC News. Audio from the call was played during Hulu\u2019s Devil in the Family docs-series.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Utah Division of Child and Family Services (DCFS) works with children and families during some of their most vulnerable moments. DCFS respects that each child and family has a right to privacy and remains firm in our commitment to that privacy for the children and families of Utah,\u201d the statement read. \u201cDCFS affirms law enforcement reports of our involvement in the Franke case. However, in order to protect the integrity of the necessary working relationships with those we serve, and to respect the privacy of children and families, DCFS will continue its practice and refrain from sharing specific information on a case, past or present. Utah law requires any person with reason to believe that a child has been subjected to abuse, neglect, or dependency to report it to DCFS or a local law enforcement agency. The 24\/7 abuse and neglect hotline is 855-323-3237.\u201d<\/p>\n
What Has Ruby\u2019s Family Said About Her Arrest?<\/h3>\n
Ruby\u2019s sisters condemned her action in a joint August 2023 Instagram statement. \u201cFor the last three years, we have kept quiet on the subject of our sister Ruby Franke for the sake of her children. Behind the public scene, we have done everything we could to try and make sure the kids were safe,\u201d Ellie Mecham, Julie Griffiths Deru<\/strong> and Bonnie Hoellein<\/strong> wrote. \u201cRuby was arrested which needed to happen. Jodi was arrested which needed to happen. The kids are now safe, which is the No. 1 priority.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kevin has filed for divorce from Ruby and filed for custody. As of April 2024, the children were still within the custody of Utah\u2019s Division of Child and Family Services.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe just wants to do what\u2019s best for his kids and get them back, get them under his tutelage and his fathership and protect them,\u201d Kevin\u2019s attorney Randy Kester said in a statement at the time.<\/p>\n
Amid his case in juvenile court \u2014 which has been sealed \u2014 Kevin sued Hildebrandt for intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligent infliction of emotional distress and negligence for him and his children.<\/p>\n
\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n
\n
$\"YouTube$ <\/p>\n<\/figure>\n
\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Where Do Ruby\u2019s Kids Stand Now?<\/h3>\n
In August 2024, Chad acknowledged the anniversary of Ruby\u2019s arrest. \u201cHappy Prisonversary,\u201d he wrote in a Snapchat.<\/p>\n
While recalling her childhood to Good Morning America<\/em> in January 2025, Shari got candid about not wanting to resemble her mom in any way. \u201cSometimes I\u2019ll, see myself in the mirror and I\u2019m like, \u201cOh, my gosh, I look like her,\u2019 or \u2018I sound like her,\u2019 but I don\u2019t wanna be anything like her,\u201d Shari said.<\/p>\n
Shari claimed that she doesn\u2019t think her mom can \u201cfully comprehend the guilt\u201d of what she pleaded guilty to. \u201cI think that she\u2019s as sorry as she can be,\u201d Shari said. \u201cWhat she has done is so bad that I don\u2019t think her mind allows her to kind of fully comprehend the guilt of all that. And so I think that she probably genuinely believed everything she said. I don\u2019t believe it though.\u201d<\/p>\n
While moving forward, Shari said she is trying to rebuild her relationship with her father and siblings. She noted that she has been struggling with the idea of forgiveness.<\/p>\n
\u201cForgiveness is something I\u2019ve had to study a lot and kind of think about what it means,\u201d she said. \u201cBut for me, forgiveness would look like not letting that consume every moment of my life and all of my thoughts. I am just trying to move on with my life and trust that things are gonna work out the way they\u2019re supposed to.\u201d<\/p>\n
Where Does Ruby Stand With Ex-Husband Kevin?<\/h3>\nKevin\u2019s attorney Randy Kester<\/strong> told Today<\/em><\/a> in a September 2023 statement that the pair had been separated \u201cat Ruby\u2019s directive\u201d for 13 months. He added that \u201cKevin did not want to be separated.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe wanted to work through concerns as a family,\u201d Kester said. \u201cThere was never any formal, written decree of separate maintenance or separation agreement. The separation was under terms proscribed by Ruby and Jodi Hildebrandt.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ruby and Kevin began marital counseling in 2021 with Hildebrant. Kester told People<\/em> that Hildebrant suggested the twosome separate. He went on to file for divorce in November 2023.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs of today, I\u2019m still working through the divorce,\u201d Kevin said in an interview with People in February 2025. We\u2019re trying to reach a settlement. It\u2019s been a long process, well over a year, but it\u2019s ongoing.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kevin noted he was \u201cclose\u201d to being officially divorced from Ruby. He has also started thinking about getting back into the dating scene.<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, of course, it\u2019s something I think about,\u201d he admitted. \u201cBut I\u2019m a man of my honor, and I\u2019m still technically married. So I\u2019m holding off until the divorce is finalized. When the time\u2019s right, that\u2019s something I think that I\u2019ll look forward to pursuing.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n
\n
$\"Ruby$ <\/p>\n<\/figure>\n
\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Where Do Ruby\u2019s Kids Stand With Their Dad Kevin?<\/h3>\n
Shortly before Ruby\u2019s sentencing in February 2024, Kester said in a statement to Law & Crime<\/em><\/a>, \u201cThe treatment these children received at the hands of those whom the children had a right to trust, was horrific and inhumane, both physically and psychologically. Kevin remains focused on the rehabilitation of these sweet and vulnerable children so that they might return to a normal life as soon as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kevin told ABC News in a January 2025 statement, \u201cI am incredibly proud of Shari for the woman she has become and for her strength. She has played and will continue to play a crucial role in the healing of our family. I am grateful for her example and learn a lot from her vulnerability and courage. She has a powerful voice and will make a positive impact in this world. I love my daughter.\u201d<\/p>\n
The four youngest kids have not made public appearance as they opted for more private lives following the scandal.<\/p>\n
Are Ruby\u2019s Kids Advocating for Change?<\/h3>\n\n
$\"Ruby$ <\/p>
Law & Crime \/ YouTube<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Shari addressed Utah lawmakers in October 2024 about the \u201cdangers\u201d of parents using their children online for monetary gain.<\/p>\n
\n
\n
Thank You!<\/h3>\n
You have successfully subscribed.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\n\t\t <\/p>\n
\n
\n
$\"Utopia$ <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n
\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\u201cWhen children become stars in their family\u2019s online content, they become child influencers,\u201d she said in testimony during a Utah Senate committee hearing, per ABC News. \u201cIt is more than just filming your family life and putting it online. It is a full time job, with employees, business credit cards, managers, and marketing strategies.\u201d<\/p>\n
Shari called for greater restrictions of family vlogging, specifically when children are too young for consent. \u201cThere is no such thing as a moral or ethical family vlogger,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
If you or someone you know is experiencing child abuse, call or text Child Help Hotline<\/a> at 1-800-422-4453.<\/em><\/p>\n
<\/body><\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/html><\/div>\n
\t\t\t\t\t<\/main>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n
\n
More Stories<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/main><\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Sign Up Create a free account to access exclusive content, play games, solve puzzles, test your pop-culture knowledge and receive special offers. Already have an account? Login Former YouTuber Ruby Franke\u2019s Family Guide After Child Abuse Arrest: Where Are Her Kids Now? Updated on: February 28, 2025 Courtesy of moms_of_truth\/Instagram Ruby Franke was arrested for […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":831329,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1849,3230,104640],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-831328","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-about","category-convicted","category-youtube-videos"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/831328","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=831328"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/831328\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/831329"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=831328"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=831328"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=831328"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}