Where Are Ruby Franke’s Kids Now?

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After Ruby Franke’s arrest in August 2023 on allegations of child abuse, significant shifts occurred within her family of six. As the ex-YouTube vlogger confronted severe charges related to child welfare, authorities took measures to safeguard her youngest offspring. With growing curiosity surrounding the fate of Franke’s children post-arrest, many are seeking updates on their current situation.

Here are more details about Ruby Franke’s kids after her 2023 arrest.

What happened to Ruby Franke’s kids after her 2023 arrest?

After Ruby Franke’s apprehension in August 2023, her six offspring experienced a substantial change in their lives. Her four younger children – Abby, Julie, Russell, and Eve – were taken away from the home right away. Court records disclosed that Russell and Eve had endured grave mistreatment, necessitating immediate medical attention and psychological care. By early 2024, they continued to be under the watchful eye of professionals to support their healing process.

Initially, it was stated that Kevin Franke was trying to gain custody of his children, but the court process was yet to be finalized. Recently, speaking with PEOPLE, Kevin expressed, “Currently, my life is transitioning towards what I’d describe as a familiar normalcy.

Shari Franke, the eldest child, openly endorsed her mother’s detention, disclosing that she and other relatives had long been attempting to bring authorities into the situation. She shared an Instagram photo of officers at Jodi Hildebrandt’s residence with the caption “at last” and encouraged people to cease following her mother’s social media platforms. In October 2024, she spoke out against a Lifetime movie about their family, contending that it hurt her younger siblings who were still recovering.

Apart from Chad Franke, it was noted that he parted ways with his mother as well. Following her conviction, a grin was spotted on his face as he exited the courtroom. Subsequently, he shared a mocking “Happy Jail Anniversary” message on Snapchat, suggesting he had moved past the situation. By mid-2024, Chad decided to take charge of his life and signed up for real estate classes with an aim towards rebuilding his life independently.

The Franke family initially rose to fame through their YouTube channel, 8 Passengers, which debuted in 2015. This channel documented the lives of parents Ruby and Kevin Franke as they navigated raising their six kids: Shari, Chad, Abby, Julie, Russell, and Eve. As time went on, their firm parenting style stirred up debate, with many questioning Ruby’s methods of discipline. By 2020, criticisms intensified as the punishments seemed to grow harsher.

Ruby Franke’s parenting style became more stringent when she teamed up with therapist Jodi Hildebrandt, who held strong, controversial views. By 2023, she had split from Kevin and relocated to live with Hildebrandt. In 2023, both Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt were apprehended following Russell’s escape from Hildebrandt’s residence, who then sought help from a neighbor. The authorities discovered Russell and Eve in a critically malnourished condition, with visible injuries and evidence of duct tape restraints. Further investigation revealed extensive instances of physical and psychological abuse. Franke confessed to four charges of severe child abuse and was penalized with 4 to 60 years in prison.

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2025-02-27 17:40