Imagine following someone online because they seem ruby franke and jodi hildebrandt like the perfect mom — someone who knows all the tricks of parenting, seems relatable, down‑to‑earth, maybe even inspiring — and then one day everything you believed just crumbles. That’s exactly what happened with Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt. Their names went from “influential parenting voices” to infamous figures in one of the most disturbing child‑abuse cases in recent memory. If you’re reading this, you’ve probably heard bits and pieces of their saga — on social media, in documentaries, or through news headlines — and you’re wondering how such things could really happen.
Well, let’s unravel this together ruby franke and jodi hildebrandt in a way that’s honest, engaging, and grounded in real events — not the sensationalized stuff. This story is more than gossip. It’s about influence, vulnerability, and the very real consequences when lines get crossed.
Introduction: When Influence Becomes Something Darker
We’ve all seen it: A friendly face pops up on our YouTube feed or Instagram timeline. Someone sharing parenting advice, home hacks, daily life with kids. You think, “Hey, this person gets it.” Ruby Franke was one of those people. With millions of followers on her YouTube channel, 8 Passengers, she seemed like the relatable mom next door… until things took a turn none of us saw coming. And Jodi Hildebrandt — who entered Ruby’s life as a counselor and mentor — became a central figure in a case that shocked thousands.
But what really happened between them, and how did their story unfold from family content creators to convicted criminals? Let’s dig in with context and care.
Who Was Ruby Franke?
ruby franke and jodi hildebrandt was born in 1982 and became widely known as the creator of the 8 Passengers YouTube channel. From 2015 onward, she and her family — including her husband Kevin and their six children — documented daily life, parenting moments, holidays, and more. At its peak, the channel had millions of subscribers and was part of that wave of “family vlog” content — part reality show, part social media diary. Wikipedia
What’s interesting — and kind of ruby franke and jodi hildebrandt unsettling — is how something that seemed so wholesome eventually revealed something very different underneath the surface. Fans noticed Ruby’s strict and extreme parenting methods over time, and critics increasingly questioned the line between discipline and harm. But few could have predicted where things would end up. Wikipedia
Who Is Jodi Hildebrandt?
Enter Jodi Hildebrandt — a licensed counselor and life coach with a following of her own. Originally based in Utah, she operated a counseling business called ConneXions Classroom that offered guidance on marriage, parenting, and personal growth. Many people, including Ruby and her husband Kevin, were drawn to her ideas and teachings. Wikipedia+1
They met in 2019 through church connections, and ruby franke and jodi hildebrandt began attending Hildebrandt’s classes. That relationship quickly grew closer — personally and professionally. Eventually, the two women even launched a joint social account andruby franke and jodi hildebrandt collaborated on parenting content. AOL
To be honest, this kind of dynamic — mentor and mentee, friend and ally — can be powerful in a good way or a bad way, depending on ruby franke and jodi hildebrandt intentions and boundaries. Sadly, in this situation, it spiraled into something very dark.
How Their Relationship Changed Everything
It’s one thing to share parenting tips ruby franke and jodi hildebrandt online. It’s another thing entirely when one person starts influencing another’s entire belief system, especially in vulnerable moments.
For Ruby, the shift began slowly. She began leaning on Jodi’s guidance — at first perhaps for support, then increasingly for authority. They created content together. Ruby even moved some of her children into Hildebrandt’s care at times. Watching from the outside, it probably seemed like collaboration or mutual support… until it wasn’t.
According to reports, by 2022, Ruby paused her 8 Passengers channel and focused more on Hildebrandt’s ConneXions program. They created an Instagram account together called Moms of Truth where they offered parenting classes and life guidance. Wikipedia+1
But here’s the heartbreaking part: As their partnership deepened, so did the severity of the actions that followed. Hildebrandt — who had presented herself as a counselor — was increasingly intertwined in how Ruby disciplined or controlled her children. Sadly, what was going on behind closed doors was far from the supportive parenting community Ruby’s followers thought they were seeing.
The Arrest and Charges That Shocked the Internet
The turning point — the thing that really made ruby franke and jodi hildebrandt the world stop and ask, “What happened here?” — was August 30, 2023. On that day, Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt were arrested in Washington County, Utah and charged with six counts of aggravated child abuse related to two of Ruby’s children. Wikipedia
Here’s the part that’s almost too painful to imagine: Ruby’s 12‑year‑old son reportedly escaped from Hildebrandt’s house and ran to a neighbor for help — emaciated, bound with duct tape, and in need of immediate aid. Law enforcement found his younger sister in similar conditions at the home. Yahoo
When you hear that, it’s almost impossible not to feel shaken. These were real children — kids Ruby had brought into the world and promised to protect.
The Guilty Pleas and Sentencing
To be clear, the legal consequences were serious and swift:
- Ruby Franke pleaded guilty to four counts of aggravated child abuse in December 2023. CBS News
- Jodi Hildebrandt also pleaded guilty to four counts shortly after. CBS News
- In February 2024, both women were sentenced to prison, with potential terms ranging from four to thirty years under Utah state law. Wikipedia
So, when people online say their influence went too far — they really mean it. The prosecution described the environment the children endured as “concentration‑camp like” and emphasized that the abuse was often framed by the women as “necessary” or even “loving discipline.” The News International
The case shook many who had followed Ruby’s content for years. YouTube channels with millions of subscribers don’t usually end in felony convictions and prison sentences — but this one did.
What Really Went Wrong? A Closer Look
When you unpack a story like this, you start to see a pattern that’s both psychological and social:
1. Loss of Perspective
Ruby’s parenting philosophy reportedly became harsher over time. And once someone starts believing a single source of influence as the ultimate truth, it’s easy to lose grounding in what’s safe or healthy.
2. The Power of Groupthink
Hildebrandt was not just a mentor — she was someone Ruby trusted deeply. That kind of dynamic can create an echo chamber where normal parenting boundaries get blurred. People often say things like, “She really believed it,” and that’s terrifying because it means the lessons Ruby was following were no longer rooted in common sense or empathy.
3. Isolation
As Ruby leaned more into Hildebrandt’s program, her relationships with others — including her husband and older children — reportedly deteriorated. That’s a classic pattern in toxic partnerships: the world shrinks to just two people reinforcing each other.
And anyone who’s been in a situation where trust misplaced leads to harm knows just how confusing and emotional it can be.
Media Coverage and Public Reaction
This story didn’t stay small — it blew up:
- The case was featured on television shows like The Curious Case Of… and Investigation Discovery’s documentary Ruby & Jodi: A Cult of Sin and Influence. Wikipedia
- Ruby’s eldest daughter, Shari — now an adult — has spoken publicly about her experience, even writing about it. The Guardian
- Hulu released Devil in the Family: The Fall of ruby franke and jodi hildebrandt, where family members revisit the whole saga. The Sun
And to be honest, watching those docuseries ruby franke and jodi hildebrandt and interviews, you start to see the full human toll — the guilt, the loss, the wonder of how something that started as family vlog content ended up in a courtroom.
Where Are They Now?
As of the latest updates:
- Ruby Franke is incarcerated at the Utah State Correctional Facility. Wikipedia
- Jodi Hildebrandt is also serving time in the same facility, though in a different section. Yahoo
- Ruby’s divorce from her husband Kevin was finalized in March 2025. Wikipedia
Their stories have become cautionary tales about influence, community, and the responsibilities that come with online platforms.
Lessons We Can Learn
This is more than a true‑crime headline. There’s so much we can reflect on:
Critical Thinking Matters
Just because someone has a platform doesn’t ruby franke and jodi hildebrandt mean they’re a moral authority. And especially when someone tells you they know exactly what’s best for your family — you owe it to yourself and your kids to think beyond the glossy posts and videos.
Parenting Isn’t One‑Size‑Fits‑All
Every family is different. There’s no single formula ruby franke and jodi hildebrandt for success. When someone pushes extreme measures — especially those that harm children — that should set off a red flag right away.
Influence Comes With Responsibility
Whether online or offline, influence needs accountability. Sharing tips is one thing — shaping how people think about discipline, punishment, or obedience without empathy? That’s another.
Final Thoughts: A Story Worth Understanding
Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt went from being influencers to infamous figures, and their story is a chilling reminder of how quickly things can unravel when influence goes unchecked. This isn’t just gossip, or drama — it’s a human tragedy involving real children who suffered. It’s heartbreaking, but also instructive.
To be honest, it’s one of those stories that sticks with you — not because it’s sensational, but because it forces us to ask: How do we keep empathy at the center of parenting, influence, and community?
And if there’s one takeaway that matters most, it’s this: love your people well — and always check in, question, and think with your heart and your head.
