The Rise and Fall of Ruby Franke

By: Law&Crime | Wondery
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  • Summary

  • Ruby Franke, a Utah mom turned YouTube “momfluencer” who amassed 2.6 million subscribers, was known for her strict disciplinarian parenting style. But authorities now say that her "tough love" was actually child abuse. Ruby Franke's son escaped from the Utah home of her self-help business partner, Jodi Hildebrandt. The boy was reportedly starved and tied up with duct tape along with his 10 year old sister. As law enforcement dug deeper, they uncovered injuries, torture, and emotional harm inflicted by both Franke and Hildebrandt. Law&Crime takes you behind the scenes, from Ruby and Jodi's path to internet stardom, to the investigation that brought them down.

    Binge all episodes of The Rise and Fall of Ruby Franke ad-free by joining Wondery+ on the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/the-rise-and-fall-of-ruby-franke/ now.

    © Law&Crime
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Social Sciences True Crime
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Episodes
  • Introducing: The Rise and Fall of Ruby Franke

    Introducing: The Rise and Fall of Ruby Franke
    Feb 6 2024

    Ruby Franke, a Utah mom turned YouTube “momfluencer” who amassed 2.6 million subscribers, was known for her strict disciplinarian parenting style. But authorities now say that her "tough love" was actually child abuse. Ruby Franke's son escaped from the Utah home of her self-help business partner, Jodi Hildebrandt. The boy was reportedly starved and tied up with duct tape along with his 10 year old sister. As law enforcement dug deeper, they uncovered injuries, torture, and emotional harm inflicted by both Franke and Hildebrandt. Law&Crime takes you behind the scenes, from Ruby and Jodi's path to internet stardom, to the investigation that brought them down.

    This 7-part series releases weekly on Mondays exclusively on Wondery+.

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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    2 mins
  • The Rise and Fall of Ruby Franke | Meet the Frankes | 2

    The Rise and Fall of Ruby Franke | Meet the Frankes | 2
    Feb 19 2024

    They call themselves and their YouTube channel the “8 Passengers” — mom Ruby, dad Kevin, and their six kids in tow. By all appearances, they’re your stereotypical American Mormon family, but there’s something simmering under the surface. Loyal fans of the 8 Passengers page have been picking up on something startling over the years, and it’s not long before the genie is out of the bottle.

    You can listen to all episodes of The Rise and Fall of Ruby Franke exclusively and ad-free on Wondery+. Find Wondery+ in the Wondery App or on Apple Podcasts. Start Your free trial by visiting https://wondery.com/links/the-rise-and-fall-of-ruby-franke/ now.

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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    36 mins
  • The Rise and Fall of Ruby Franke | #FreeChad | 3

    The Rise and Fall of Ruby Franke | #FreeChad | 3
    May 20 2024

    As 8 Passengers’ following grows, so do their subscribers' concerns about the welfare of Ruby Franke’s children. Specifically her oldest son, Chad, who becomes noticeably absent from vlogs in the summer of 2019. Viewers press in the comments for answers as to his whereabouts, and what they learn provides more clues into Ruby’s punitive parenting philosophy.

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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    38 mins

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Profile Image for Michelle Kerns

Extremely Well Done

A very well-written, high quality production. Wondery handles the story with objectivity and compassion, successfully avoiding both sensationalism and condemnation. Definitely, DEFINITELY do not skip Episode 9, the Bonus episode - it really brings the entire situation into perspective. You hear both Kevin and Ruby Franke in their own words (phone calls, police interviews) and are read excerpts from Ruby Franke's journal in the weeks prior to her arrest.

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