Ruby Franke and Kevin Franke. Photo: Moms of Truth/ Instagram
On August 30, 2023, Kevin Franke’s world fell apart.
His wife of 23 years, Ruby Franke, and her therapist, Jodi Hildebrandt, were arrested for horrifying child abuse. Their youngest children, just 12 and 9 years old at the time, were found severely malnourished and covered in wounds. Kevin, who had been separated from Ruby for over a year, had no idea the extent of what was happening. Now, he’s speaking out for the first time about the betrayal, the pain, and his fight to heal his family.
From YouTube Fame to Family Tragedy
Kevin and Ruby once seemed like the picture-perfect couple. Their family vlog, 8 Passengers, launched in 2015, featured their six children—Shari, Chad, Abby, Julie, Russell, and Eve—growing up in Springville, Utah. Kevin, an assistant professor at Brigham Young University, and Ruby, a stay-at-home mom, shared everything from homeschooling tips to daily life with their millions of followers.
But their strict parenting style raised eyebrows. By 2020, concerns over their discipline methods—including withholding food and extreme punishments—led to an online petition with 18,000 signatures demanding an investigation. That same year, Utah’s child welfare services visited their home but found no evidence of abuse.
Behind the scenes, Kevin now says he was being pushed out of his family by Hildebrandt, a therapist who convinced Ruby he was a “toxic” influence.
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How Kevin Lost Contact with His Kids
By 2022, Ruby told Kevin that his “attitude” was poisoning the family and forced him to move out. His lawyer claims Kevin didn’t want the separation but had no choice. Over the next year, Ruby cut off almost all contact.
“I was completely shut out,” Kevin told authorities, explaining that Ruby and Hildebrandt isolated the children. He only learned the full extent of the abuse when his 12-year-old son escaped Hildebrandt’s home in Ivins, Utah, and ran to a neighbor for help.
Fighting for His Children and Justice
Kevin was initially considered a suspect but was quickly cleared when police confirmed he hadn’t seen his children in over a year. Since then, he’s been fighting to rebuild his family.
In April 2024, he sued Hildebrandt, citing emotional distress and negligence. He also began pushing for stronger child welfare laws in Utah, arguing that red flags—like the 2020 petition and 911 calls—were ignored.
“The system failed my children,” Kevin told lawmakers in October 2024, calling for urgent reforms.
Where Kevin Stands Today
Kevin filed for divorce from Ruby in November 2023 and says he’s still struggling with anger over what happened. He hasn’t communicated with Ruby since early 2024, saying, “I didn’t want to hear any more from her.”
While the legal battles continue, Kevin’s main focus is reuniting with his four youngest children, who remain in state custody. He hopes to gain full custody and provide them with a safe, loving home.
In the meantime, he has rebuilt a bond with his two oldest children, Shari and Chad, who have publicly supported him. They now share Sunday dinners—a new tradition as they move forward together.
With the release of Devil in the Family, a Hulu docuseries exposing the truth behind 8 Passengers, Kevin hopes their story will serve as a warning about the dangers of family vlogging and unchecked authority figures.
“My biggest regret is not seeing it sooner,” he admits. “Now, all I can do is fight for my kids and make sure this never happens again.”
