Ruby Franke, the creator of the YouTube channel “8 Passengers,” made disturbing jailhouse calls to her estranged husband Kevin after being arrested on multiple charges of child abuse. In the calls, Ruby blamed the devil for her actions and claimed to be a good woman who doesn’t do naughty things. Kevin, who has filed for divorce, expressed his commitment to their family and told Ruby that he would support her no matter what. Ruby also compared herself to Joseph Smith, the founder of Mormonism, and offered Kevin the house in order to get their children back.
Two days before the arrest, Ruby and her business partner Jodi Hildebrandt were discovered holding their youngest son and daughter captive in their home. The 12-year-old son managed to escape and run to their neighbors for help, resulting in Ruby and Hildebrandt being taken into custody on suspicion of aggravated child abuse. Video footage of the escape showed the boy covered in sores, malnourished, and with duct tape around his wrists and ankles. The children were being starved, beaten, forced to work long hours without shoes or water, and punished with physical tasks.
Despite pleading guilty to four felony counts of second-degree aggravated child abuse, Ruby continued to claim that the investigation was a “witch hunt” and that the devil had been after her for years. She seemed confused rather than concerned when told her children would be in the hospital for three days. In a phone call, Ruby mentioned that adults struggle to understand that children can be evil and the effort required to fight it. Prosecutors cited religious extremism as the motivation for the horrific abuse inflicted on the children.
Ruby detailed the daily abuse in a handwritten journal, including an incident where she held her son underwater while covering his nose. As a result of the abuse, Ruby was sentenced to up to 60 years in prison, along with her business partner Hildebrandt. However, Utah law limits imprisonment terms to a maximum of 30 years when consecutive sentences are issued, leaving the decision of her release in the hands of the Utah Board of Pardons and Parole. Four of Franke’s children remain in the care of the Department of Child and Family Services, while Kevin is working towards regaining custody of them.
