Ruby Franke

Ruby Franke is an American former family vlogger who ran the YouTube channel 8 Passengers.

Ruby Franke is an American former family vlogger who ran the YouTube channel 8 Passengers. She was arrested in Utah in 2023 and later pleaded guilty to aggravated child abuse involving two of her children. In February 2024, she was sentenced to a prison term of four to 30 years.

Early life and online career

Ruby Franke, born Ruby Griffiths, became known as a family vlogger through 8 Passengers, a YouTube channel that documented daily life with her husband and six children. The channel later became widely discussed because of allegations about her parenting and treatment of her children.

Criminal case

Franke and her business partner Jodi Hildebrandt were arrested in Utah in August 2023 after authorities responded to concerns involving two of Franke’s children. She was later charged with aggravated child abuse and ultimately pleaded guilty to four counts.

Sentencing and imprisonment

On February 20, 2024, Franke was sentenced to four consecutive prison terms of one to 15 years each, with a total possible range of four to 30 years under Utah law. Her parole eligibility and actual time served are determined by the state parole board.

Public response

The case attracted significant attention in the United States and internationally because Franke had built a public image as a parenting and family-life influencer. Coverage often focused on the contrast between that image and the criminal case. The case also received notable coverage in Canadian media because it involved a high-profile social media personality, child welfare issues, and a widely followed U.S. criminal proceeding.