Ruby Franke Sentenced to Prison for Horrific Child Abuse Charges

Ruby Franke, the woman behind the now deleted YouTube channel “8 Passengers” known for her parenting advice videos, was sentenced to prison this week on four consecutive terms of 1-15 years for aggravated child abuse charges involving her children. Court documents outlined horrific abuse allegations against Franke, claiming she denied her kids food and water, kicked her son while wearing boots, and deprived him of oxygen on multiple occasions.

At her sentencing hearing, the 42-year-old Franke acknowledged her crimes were “just” and said the punishment would bring “safety to my family, accountability to the public.” She expressed that in previous years she had followed “counsel and guidance that led me into a dark delusion.” Franke’s business partner Jodi Hildebrandt, who faced similar charges, was also sentenced this week to the same consecutive 1-15 year terms.

A Fall from Grace

It’s quite the fall from grace for Ruby Franke, who had amassed a following of over 800,000 on YouTube under the channel “8 Passengers” by openly documenting her life with her husband and eight children. Prosecutors said the abuse charges stemmed from videos Franke had filmed showing her physically and emotionally tormenting her kids. After her 12-year-old son ran away from home and asked a neighbor to call police last summer, the disturbing truth behind Franke’s perfect family facade came to light.

Franke said she did not want to put her children through the emotional turmoil of a trial, and acknowledged she had made “distorted” choices in following unchecked guidance that led her down a “dark path.” Hildebrandt also expressed her hope that the children would now be able to “heal and have beautiful lives.” Both women have 30 days to appeal their sentences.