Kevin Franke, the ex-husband of Ruby Franke, a former YouTube star who was sentenced to up to 60 years in prison for abusing their children, has filed for divorce and is seeking full custody of their six kids. Here is what we know about his current situation and how he is coping with the aftermath of the shocking case.
A Horrific Discovery
Kevin Franke was married to Ruby Franke for 18 years and they had six children together, ranging from ages 6 to 17. They were also the creators of the popular YouTube channel “8 Passengers”, which had over 2 million subscribers and featured videos of their family life and parenting tips. However, behind the scenes, Ruby Franke was subjecting two of their youngest children to severe physical and emotional abuse, with the help of her business partner and mental health counselor, Jodi Hildebrandt.
The abuse came to light in August 2023, when their 12-year-old son escaped from Hildebrandt’s house in Ivins, Utah, where he and his 10-year-old sister had been staying for several weeks. The boy ran to a neighbor’s house and asked for food and water, saying he had been tied up, starved, and tortured by Hildebrandt. He had duct tape around his ankles and wrists, lacerations from ropes, and cayenne pepper and honey on his wounds. The police were called and they found the girl in a similar condition, as well as evidence of abuse at the house, such as ropes, duct tape, scissors, and a stun gun.
Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt were arrested and charged with four counts of aggravated child abuse each. They pleaded guilty in December 2023 and were sentenced to four consecutive terms of one to 15 years each on February 20, 2024.
The judge said they had created “a concentration camp-like setting” for the children and had tried to convince them that they were evil and possessed. Ruby Franke apologized to her children and her ex-husband in court, saying she was manipulated by Hildebrandt and that she loved them. Hildebrandt also expressed remorse and said she accepted responsibility for her actions.
| Name | Kevin W. Franke |
|---|---|
| Birth date | October 9, 1978 |
| Birthplace | United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Engineer, professor, former YouTuber |
| Spouse | Ruby Franke (separated in 2022) |
| Children | 6 |
| Education | B.S. in Civil Engineering from Utah State University (2004) |
| M.S. in Geotechnical Engineering from University of Washington (2005) | |
| Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from Brigham Young University (2011) | |
| YouTube channel | 8 Passengers (deleted in 2022) |
| Controversies | Accused of child abuse and neglect by viewers and authorities |
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A New Beginning of Kevin Franke
Kevin, who had been unaware of the abuse and had trusted his wife and her business partner, filed for divorce from Ruby Franke on February 21, 2024, the day after their sentencing. He is seeking full custody of their six children, as well as alimony and child support. He also wants to terminate Ruby Franke’s parental rights and change the children’s last name to his own. He claims that Ruby Franke has abandoned the children and has no interest in their welfare.
Franke has also been trying to rebuild his relationship with his children and help them heal from the trauma they endured. He has been taking them to therapy, enrolling them in school, and providing them with a stable and loving home. He has also been receiving support from his family, friends, and the community. He has expressed his gratitude to the police, the doctors, the social workers, and the neighbors who rescued his children and brought the abuse to light. He has also thanked the public for their prayers and donations.
Kevin Franke has not commented publicly on the case or his divorce, but he has posted some updates on his Instagram account, where he has over 300,000 followers. He has shared photos and videos of his children smiling, playing, and celebrating holidays and birthdays. He has also posted messages of hope and faith, saying that he and his children are “survivors, not victims” and that they are “stronger together”. He has also asked for privacy and respect for his family as they move forward with their lives.
A Shocking Case of Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt
The case of Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt shocked and outraged many people, especially the fans of their YouTube channel, who had admired them for their seemingly happy and wholesome family. Many have expressed their disbelief, anger, and sadness at how they could abuse their children so cruelly and hide it so well. Some have also questioned how YouTube and other social media platforms could allow them to profit from their videos and podcasts, which were full of lies and manipulation.
The case has also raised awareness and concern about the potential dangers of online influencers, who may present a false or distorted image of their lives and influence their followers in harmful ways. It has also highlighted the need for more regulation and oversight of the content and activities of these influencers, as well as more education and support for their viewers, especially children and teens. Moreover, the case has underscored the importance of reporting and preventing child abuse, and of providing help and protection for the victims and survivors.
The case of Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt is one of the most shocking and disturbing cases of child abuse in recent history. It has exposed the dark side of social media and the horrific reality of what some children have to endure at the hands of their parents and caregivers. It has also shown the resilience and courage of the children who escaped and survived, and the compassion and kindness of the people who helped them. It is a case that will not be forgotten anytime soon, and that will hopefully inspire positive changes and actions in the future.
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