Ruby Franke, a social media influencer and the mother behind the now-defunct family YouTube channel “8 Passengers,” has been arrested on charges of aggravated child abuse.[0] The arrest came after authorities discovered a malnourished child with open wounds and duct tape on their extremities. The child was described as “severely emaciated and malnourished” with visible injuries.
The arrest of Ruby Franke has shocked the online community, as she was once a prominent momfluencer with millions of followers on YouTube. The “8 Passengers” channel, which featured Franke, her husband Kevin, and their six children, gained popularity for showcasing their daily lives.[1] However, concerns about the parents' parenting style began to surface as the channel grew in popularity.[2]
Police received a tip about the abuse and arrived at Franke's home to find a child who was severely malnourished and had open wounds. The child was immediately taken to the hospital for treatment.[3] During their investigation, the police discovered another child in the home who was also malnourished. Both children were found with duct tape on their extremities.[0]
The arrest of Ruby Franke has been a long time coming, according to her eldest daughter, Shari. In an Instagram post, Shari expressed relief that justice was finally being served and revealed that the family had been trying to alert the authorities about the abuse for years.
The allegations of child abuse have raised questions about the Franke family's online presence. Viewers who went back and analyzed the family's vlogs found instances where Franke talked about withholding food from her children as punishment.[4] These revelations have led to further scrutiny of the family's parenting style.
The Franke family's YouTube channel, “8 Passengers,” was immensely popular, amassing millions of subscribers before it was taken down earlier this year for unknown reasons.[5] The family's rise to fame was accompanied by criticism of their authoritarian parenting style, with some viewers accusing them of mistreatment.
Following Ruby Franke's arrest, four of her children were taken into protective custody by the Department of Child and Family Services.[2] The children will now be placed under the care of the state while the investigation into the allegations of abuse continues.
The case has garnered national attention, shedding light on the potential dangers of the influencer culture and the need for responsible online content creation. It serves as a reminder that the online persona of individuals may not always reflect their true character or actions.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the Franke family's future remains uncertain. Kevin Franke, Ruby's husband, is focused on keeping their children together under his care, according to his attorney.[6] It is unclear whether the couple is still together or if they separated prior to Ruby's arrest.[4]
The case of Ruby Franke serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance when it comes to child welfare. It is essential to report any suspicions of abuse or neglect to the appropriate authorities to ensure the safety and well-being of children. The online community must also exercise caution when supporting and following influencers, as their public image may not always align with their private lives.
0. “Social Media Influencer Ruby Franke Arrested On Suspicion Of Child Abuse” NDTV, 1 Sep. 2023, https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/social-media-influencer-ruby-franke-arrested-on-suspicion-of-child-abuse-4347515
1. “Shari Franke speaks out after 8 Passengers mom, Ruby Franke, arrest” USA TODAY, 31 Aug. 2023, https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2023/08/31/ruby-franke-8-passengers-vlogger-arrested-child-abuse-charges-daughter-shari-speaks/70730970007
2. “Utah YouTube video blogger, counselor each charged with 6 counts of child abuse” KSL.com, 31 Aug. 2023, https://www.ksl.com/article/50720905/utah-youtube-video-blogger-counselor-each-charged-with-6-counts-of-child-abuse
3. “‘8 Passengers’ mom, Ruby Franke and cohort Jodi Hildebrandt arrested for alleged child abuse” East Idaho News, 31 Aug. 2023, https://www.eastidahonews.com/2023/08/8-passengers-mom-ruby-franke-and-cohort-jodi-hildebrandt-arrested-for-alleged-child-abuse/
4. “YouTuber Ruby Franke Arrested on Abuse Charges After Duct-Taped Child Ran for Help” The Daily Beast, 1 Sep. 2023, https://www.thedailybeast.com/youtuber-ruby-franke-arrested-on-abuse-charges-after-duct-taped-child-ran-for-help
5. “How did the investigation into southern Utah child abuse begin?” Deseret News, 1 Sep. 2023, https://www.deseret.com/utah/2023/8/31/23854320/southern-utah-child-abuse-investigation
6. “Husband of 8 passengers creator Ruby Franke hopes to ‘keep his children together': attorney” Insider, 1 Sep. 2023, https://www.insider.com/kevin-franke-8-passengers-creator-ruby-franke-keep-children-together-2023-8
