For years, the Franke family’s YouTube channel, 8 Passengers, presented the image of a wholesome family life. But that illusion came crashing down in August 2023 when family matriarch Ruby Franke was arrested and later convicted of child abuse. Now, a new Hulu docuseries, Devil in the Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke, delves deeper into the shocking case, with exclusive interviews from Ruby’s husband, Kevin, and her eldest children, Shari and Chad Franke.

Shari, 21, who has been outspoken about her mother’s abusive actions, continues to shed light on her traumatic upbringing and has announced a forthcoming memoir detailing her experiences.

Why It Matters

Ruby Franke pled guilty to aggravated child abuse charges. Her former business partner and controversial therapist, Jodi Hildebrandt, was also convicted. The case has ignited debates about the darker side of family vlogging and the impact of social media fame on children. The new Hulu docuseries provides never-before-seen footage and firsthand accounts that illustrate the extent of the abuse.

What to Know about Ruby Franke’s Case

Ruby and Kevin Franke had six children: Shari, Abby, Julie, Eve, Chad and Russell. Their youngest child, Eve, was 1 year old when they created the YouTube channel in 2015. Shari, their oldest, was 11 years old.

Franke’s downfall began in 2023 when her son escaped from Hildebrandt’s home and sought help from a neighbor, revealing horrific injuries and signs of malnourishment. The police investigation that followed uncovered years of alleged physical and emotional abuse, exacerbated by the influence of Hildebrandt, a self-proclaimed counselor.

Ruby Franke was sentenced to a prison term ranging from 4 to 60 years.

Hulu’s Devil in the Family offers an in-depth look at how the Franke children were affected. According to People, Shari alleged that her younger brother was severely beaten, and that she was forced to help clean his blood off the walls.

Following the arrests, Shari has since distanced herself from her mother, focusing on her studies and advocacy work. Earlier this year, she released a memoir detailing the abuse she endured and how she has worked to heal. The memoir is titled The House of My Mother: A Daughter’s Quest for Freedom.

What we Know About Shari Franke, Ruby Franke’s Eldest Child

Shari Franke has become an advocate against child exploitation in social media, speaking out about the dangers of family vlogging. In a statement to the Utah State Legislature, she argued that “there is no such thing as an ethical or moral family vlogger” and has called for stronger protections for child influencers. She has also been vocal about the lack of financial safeguards for children featured in monetized online content, pointing out that only three U.S. states currently have laws requiring that earnings be set aside for minors, as reported by the Rolling Stone.

More recently, in an Instagram post on February 12, Shari said she was advocating for legislation that would require the parents of child influencers to create a trust fund for their children, and require parents to pay children a minimum amount.

In addition to advocacy, Shari has written and published a memoir, The House of My Mother: A Daughter’s Quest for Freedom, which details her experiences growing up in a family vlog and the abuse she endured. The book, published in January, reflects on the trauma of having her life documented for millions of viewers and serves as a call to action for greater privacy protections for children in the digital age. She stated that writing the memoir was her way of taking back control of her story and hopes it will inspire other child influencers to speak out.

Shari is also preparing for life beyond the public eye. According to People, she is set to graduate from Brigham Young University with a degree in political science and recently announced her engagement, stating that she is committed to keeping her private life off social media moving forward.

Who are Ruby Franke’s Other Children?

Ruby and Kevin Franke had six children: Shari, Abby, Julie, Eve, Chad and Russell. Their youngest child, Eve, was 1 year old when they created the YouTube channel in 2015. Shari, their oldest, was 11 years old.

Since their mother’s conviction, some of the older children have spoken publicly about their experiences. Shari has been particularly vocal, describing her childhood as traumatic and calling for child protection laws for online influencers.

What’s Next

The impact of Ruby Franke’s case continues to unfold. Hulu’s Devil in the Family features firsthand accounts from her estranged husband and oldest children, shedding light on what life was like in the Franke household.