Ruby Franke of 8 Passengers arrested with business partner Jodi Hildebrandt. Who is this controversial YouTube vlogger?

Ruby Franke, the former family vlogger known for her YouTube channel "8 Passengers", has been arrested in Springville, Utah, on charges of aggravated child abuse. This arrest comes after two of her children were discovered to be malnourished.

Ruby Franke, who had a now-defunct YouTube channel called 8 Passengers that documented her family's life, was apprehended in Utah along with her business partner, Jodi Hildebrandt. Together, they co-founded the parent advice and counseling YouTube channel and service called "ConneXions." Both Franke and Hildebrandt are facing charges of two counts of second-degree aggravated child abuse, whether intentional or unknowing.

The arrest followed an incident in which Franke's 12-year-old son escaped through a window in Ivins, Utah, and sought help from a neighbor on Wednesday morning. The boy requested food and water and was found with duct tape on his ankles and wrists, as reported in an affidavit filed by an officer from the Santa Clara-Ivins Public Safety Department. The concerned neighbor promptly contacted law enforcement.


On Thursday, a judge denied bail for Franke after a detective emphasized "the severity of the injuries to her two children found in the home." Additionally, the Department of Child and Family Services had taken custody of four of Franke's children, with two of them yet to be interviewed by officers.

Who is Ruby Franke?

Ruby Franke, a Utah mother of six, gained fame as a family vlogger on the "8 Passengers" YouTube channel, which once amassed millions of views and a substantial following.

Franke and her husband launched their family-oriented YouTube channel, 8 Passengers, in early 2015. The channel provided a glimpse into the lives of the parents and their six children and garnered nearly 2.5 million subscribers.

Like many family channels on YouTube, 8 Passengers focused on parenting techniques, the upbringing of the children, and disciplinary practices as the kids grew up in Utah. The parents, who were members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (commonly known as the Mormon Church), also shared their experiences with homeschooling.

However, in recent years, the Frankes faced growing criticism. Criticism intensified when Ruby Franke co-founded the parenting advice and support program "ConneXions," which was labeled a "cult" by some online. Many found the parenting style promoted by the pair to be extreme and harsh. Furthermore, their channel faced controversy due to what some viewers considered homophobic, racist, and transphobic comments.

One notable example involved Franke stating that children do not deserve and should not receive unconditional love, which drew significant attention and criticism.

FAQs

Q1. Who is Ruby Franke?
A1. Ruby Franke, a Utah mother of six, gained fame as a family vlogger on the "8 Passengers" YouTube channel, which once amassed millions of views and a substantial following.

Q2. What is 8 Passengers?
A2. Franke and her husband launched their family-oriented YouTube channel, 8 Passengers, in early 2015. The channel provided a glimpse into the lives of the parents and their six children and garnered nearly 2.5 million subscribers.