Disgraced YouTuber and mother of six, Ruby Franke, has shocked the public with new accusations stemming from her ongoing child abuse case. In a virtual court appearance in Provo, Utah, the 41-year-old alleged that one of her children, who reportedly began accessing pornography at age three, sexually assaulted a younger sibling. This alleged abuse then escalated to other children, with Franke claiming the child confessed to abusing 20 friends, neighbors, and cousins.
Franke, previously known for her family-oriented YouTube channel “8 Passengers,” did not identify the child by name during the hearing. However, she asserted that the child’s alleged actions came to light in May when they confessed to the abuse. This revelation adds another layer of complexity to the already disturbing case.
Ruby Franke in her car after being confronted about her parenting
During the hearing, the attorney representing a parent of one of the alleged victims requested to be heard, but the judge denied the request. Notably, the judge ruled that the child in question be placed in a home without other children for their safety and the safety of others.
This latest development follows Franke’s arrest alongside her business partner, Jodi Hildebrandt, in August. The arrest occurred after Franke’s 12-year-old son escaped from Hildebrandt’s home, seeking help from a neighbor. The neighbor, alerted by the boy’s emaciated appearance and duct tape around his wrists and ankles, immediately called 911.
Franke and Hildebrandt gained notoriety through their YouTube channel “8 Passengers,” which documented their family life and offered parenting advice to their 2 million subscribers. However, the channel faced criticism for controversial content, including videos about withholding food from one of their daughters and forcing a son to sleep on a beanbag for eight months.
Following the arrests, both Franke and Hildebrandt were charged with six counts of aggravated child abuse, each carrying a potential sentence of up to 15 years in prison. A Utah judge ruled that both women be held without bail at the Washington County jail. They are scheduled to appear in court again on September 21st.
Ruby Franke with her former husband, Kevin Franke, and their six children
The case continues to unfold, and the court of public opinion remains captivated by the shocking allegations against the once-popular YouTube family. This latest accusation from Franke further complicates the narrative, leaving many to grapple with the possibility that a child may have been both a victim and perpetrator of abuse within the same household.
