The Bizarre Friendship and Downfall of Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt: A Tale of Abuse and Deception

Introduction: The Rise and Fall of Two Influential Figures

Ruby Franke, a once-beloved YouTuber, and Jodi Hildebrandt, a prominent Utah-based therapist, were two influential figures whose lives intertwined in a friendship that would ultimately lead to their downfall. Franke, known for her "8 Passengers" YouTube channel, documented her life as a stay-at-home mom to her six children, while Hildebrandt founded ConneXions, a counseling program aimed at helping families, mostly within the Mormon community. Their friendship, which began in 2019, seemed harmless at first but quickly spiraled into a toxic relationship that ended in shocking allegations of child abuse. Both women were arrested in 2023, charged with six counts of felony child abuse, and are now serving prison sentences. Their story, as revealed in Investigation Discovery’s The Curious Case series, is a chilling tale of manipulation, abuse, and the devastating consequences of their actions.

The Friendship That Began with Good Intentions

Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt met through their church in 2019, a time when Franke and her husband, Kevin, were seeking therapy for their eldest son. Hildebrandt was recommended as a therapist, and the couple began attending her ConneXions classes. Initially, the relationship seemed positive, but it quickly evolved into something more. Franke and Hildebrandt grew closer, and Hildebrandt eventually moved into the Franke family home. Kevin Franke later recalled strange occurrences, such as lights flickering and unusual behavior from his wife, who began checking on Hildebrandt obsessively. The dynamics of their relationship raised eyebrows, with speculation about emotional, financial, and even romantic ties between the two women. While both have not publicly addressed these claims, Franke’s daughter, Shari, later revealed in her memoir that she found messages confirming a physical relationship between her mother and Hildebrandt.

Red Flags and Concerns About Ruby’s Parenting

Long before their arrest, concerns about Ruby Franke’s parenting style began to surface. In 2020, fans of her YouTube channel grew alarmed by her strict disciplinary methods, which included taking away her eldest son’s bed for months and refusing to provide lunch for her young daughter. An online petition was even started, urging child protective services to investigate the Franke household. While the case was eventually dropped due to lack of evidence, the incidents highlighted a pattern of rigid and unconventional parenting. Ruby defended her methods, claiming she was teaching her children to be "self-governing." However, these red flags were just the beginning of a darker reality that would unfold in the years to come.

The Year of Intensifying Dynamics: 2021

By 2021, Ruby Franke’s relationship with Jodi Hildebrandt had deepened, and her YouTube channel transitioned into a new project called "Moms of Truth." Hildebrandt’s influence over Ruby became more pronounced, and the two women began sharing their strict parenting philosophies on Hildebrandt’s "ConneXions" podcast. Kevin Franke, who had grown increasingly uncomfortable with the situation, was eventually asked to move out of the family home at Hildebrandt’s suggestion. This marked the end of their marriage, and Kevin lost contact with his wife and children. Meanwhile, Ruby and Hildebrandt’s bond continued to raise questions, with some speculating that Hildebrandt’s own personal struggles, including her sexuality and inner demons, played a role in her toxic relationship with Ruby. While these claims remain unconfirmed, they add another layer of complexity to the story.

The Breaking Point: Separation, Relocation, and Arrest

In 2022, Ruby and Kevin’s separation became official, and Ruby relocated her four youngest children to Utah, where she and Hildebrandt continued to implement their harsh parenting tactics. The situation took a dire turn in August 2023, when Ruby’s 12-year-old son escaped from Hildebrandt’s home, seeking help from a neighbor. The boy’s emaciated condition and allegations of abuse led to the arrest of both Ruby and Hildebrandt, who were charged with six counts of aggravated child abuse. The Investigation Discovery special revealed disturbing details about the conditions the children endured, including physical punishment and emotional manipulation. Ruby later admitted to torturing her children, while Hildebrandt defended herself, bizarrely claiming that the boy’s injuries were self-inflicted.

The Aftermath: Prison Sentences and a Fractured Family

In December 2023, Ruby Franke pleaded guilty to four counts of child abuse and agreed to testify against Hildebrandt, who also pleaded guilty. Both women were sentenced to prison terms ranging from four to 30 years, though they will not serve more than 30 years due to Utah’s laws on consecutive sentences. Ruby expressed remorse during her sentencing, apologizing to her children and acknowledging the harm she had caused. However, in a later prison call, she seemed to shift blame onto Hildebrandt, describing their arrest as a "miraculous intervention" that separated her from Hildebrandt’s influence. Hildebrandt, on the other hand, maintained her innocence, downplaying the severity of the abuse and blaming the victims.

The fallout from their crimes has been far-reaching. YouTube has banned both women, and Hildebrandt’s counseling license was revoked. Kevin Franke, who has since filed for divorce and custody of his children, continues to grapple with the trauma of the situation. He has also sued Hildebrandt for emotional distress and negligence. Ruby and Hildebrandt are currently serving their sentences at the Utah State Correctional Facility, their once-influential lives now defined by the abuse they perpetrated. Their story serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of toxic relationships and the importance of protecting vulnerable children from harm.