Kevin Franke and his son Chad Franke are finally speaking out about the horrifying child abuse scandal that surrounded Ruby Franke and her therapist, Jodi Hildebrandt. The once popular YouTube channel, 8 Passengers, was a facade for the dark reality of manipulation, abuse, and extreme parenting tactics that the family endured. Despite having 2.5 million subscribers and earning $100,000 per month, the Franke family’s lives were shattered behind closed doors.
Ruby Franke’s extreme disciplinary methods, which were endorsed by Hildebrandt, ultimately led to the arrest and conviction of both women for felony child abuse in 2024. The sentences handed down were up to 30 years each, highlighting the severity of the abuse that took place. Kevin Franke, who admits to feelings of guilt and regret, reveals that much of the physical abuse was hidden from him, especially during the time when Ruby forced him to live apart from the family. He has since filed for divorce from Ruby in November 2023.
In the aftermath of the abuse, the family is now speaking out and sharing their side of the story. Chad, who currently has no contact with his mother, expresses hope that Ruby can become a better person and work towards genuine change. The Franke family is in the process of rebuilding their lives after the trauma they endured, and their journey will be explored in the new Hulu docuseries, ‘Devil in the Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke’, streaming February 27.
It is essential to note that if child abuse is suspected, individuals should reach out to the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453 for support and guidance. All calls are confidential and available 24/7 in over 170 languages. The Franke family’s story serves as a reminder of the importance of speaking out against abuse and seeking help when needed.
Watch the video by People
Video “Ruby Franke’s Estranged Husband and Son Break Their Silence on Her Child Abuse Vlogging Scandal” was uploaded on 02/25/2025 to Youtube Channel People