Hulu’s latest docuseries, Devil in the Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke, unpacks the shocking scandal surrounding the once-beloved family vlogger. Featuring firsthand accounts from the Franke family, the series sheds light on Ruby Franke’s abusive parenting, her disturbing relationship with counselor Jodi Hildebrandt, and the chilling events that led to her arrest.
Ruby Franke launched her YouTube channel 8 Passengers in 2015, documenting the daily life of her six children and husband, Kevin. The channel skyrocketed in popularity, amassing nearly 3 million subscribers and generating six-figure monthly earnings. However, troubling moments in her parenting soon raised red flags.
In 2020, viewers were disturbed when her then-15-year-old son, Chad, revealed he had been sleeping on a beanbag chair in the basement for seven months as punishment. Other unsettling clips featured threats of food deprivation and intrusive parenting moments, such as publicly discussing her daughter’s first menstrual period. Child Protective Services investigated, but no charges were filed at the time.
Ruby Franke’s downfall accelerated when she became involved with Jodi Hildebrandt, a self-proclaimed counselor and founder of ConneXions, a controversial therapy organization. Originally brought in to help Chad, Hildebrandt quickly gained influence over the entire Franke family. Kevin, Ruby’s husband, was eventually forced out of the home, while Ruby and Hildebrandt became inseparable, co-running an Instagram page called Moms of Truth.
View this profile on Instagram
Hildebrandt’s control over Ruby deepened. According to Kevin, she would enter bizarre trances, speaking in different voices, and convinced Ruby that her children were possessed by demons. The docuseries reveals that Ruby began isolating herself further, ultimately cutting off Kevin and disowning their eldest daughter, Shari.
The horrifying extent of the abuse came to light in August 2023, when Ruby’s 12-year-old son managed to escape through a window and sought help from a neighbor in Ivins, Utah. The malnourished boy, found with tape around his legs, reported severe abuse, including physical restraint and being forced to perform grueling outdoor labor without food or water. Police later discovered his 9-year-old sister in a similarly dire state.
Authorities arrested both Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt, uncovering disturbing evidence of systematic abuse under the guise of religious purification. Court documents detailed the cruel punishments inflicted upon the children, reinforcing the gravity of the case.
Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt each pleaded guilty to four counts of child abuse. Franke admitted to torturing her children, forcing them into painful physical labor, and subjecting them to extreme conditions. Both women were sentenced to four consecutive terms of one to 15 years in prison.
Meanwhile, Kevin Franke, who filed for divorce following Ruby’s arrest, has maintained that he was unaware of the abuse. In the docuseries, he expresses deep sorrow and anger over what transpired, admitting that he still struggles with his feelings for Ruby despite her actions.
Hulu‘s Devil in the Family provides unprecedented access to the Franke family’s tragic story, featuring exclusive interviews, never-before-seen footage, and an inside look at how a seemingly perfect online persona masked an unimaginable reality.
As the documentary continues to spark conversations, it serves as a grim reminder of the dangers lurking behind curated social media images—and the devastating consequences of unchecked power and control.
