Where is Shari Franke Now? What We Know About Ruby Franke’s Oldest Child

The Fall of Ruby Franke and the Dark Side of Family Vlogging

Ruby Franke, once the beloved matriarch of the popular YouTube channel 8 Passengers, saw her wholesome family image shattered in August 2023 when she was arrested and convicted of child abuse. Her channel, which began in 2015, presented a picture of a happy family life, capturing the daily lives of Ruby, her husband Kevin, and their six children. However, the arrest and subsequent conviction revealed a deeply troubling reality, exposing years of physical and emotional abuse. The new Hulu docuseries Devil in the Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke provides an intimate and damning look at the case, featuring exclusive interviews with Ruby’s husband, Kevin, and her eldest children, Shari and Chad Franke. The series sheds light on the shocking abuse and its effects on the family, while also raising important questions about the dangers of family vlogging and the exploitation of children for social media fame.

The Case Against Ruby Franke and the Impact on Her Family

Ruby Franke’s legal troubles began in 2023 when her son escaped from the home of her business partner and controversial therapist, Jodi Hildebrandt, and sought help from a neighbor. The boy’s horrific injuries and signs of malnourishment alerted authorities, who launched an investigation that uncovered years of alleged physical and emotional abuse. Both Ruby and Hildebrandt were convicted of aggravated child abuse, with Ruby receiving a prison sentence ranging from 4 to 60 years. The Hulu docuseries Devil in the Family provides disturbing details about the abuse, including Shari’s allegations that her younger brother was severely beaten and that she was forced to clean his blood from the walls. The series also examines how the influence of Jodi Hildebrandt, a self-proclaimed counselor, exacerbated the abuse. The Franke children, who were thrust into the public eye through their family’s YouTube channel, have been left to grapple with the long-term effects of their traumatic upbringing.

Shari Franke’s Advocacy and Memoir: A Call for Change

Shari Franke, Ruby’s eldest child, has emerged as a powerful voice against child exploitation and abuse. Now 21, Shari has been outspoken about her traumatic childhood and has become an advocate for stronger protections for children in the entertainment industry. In her memoir, The House of My Mother: A Daughter’s Quest for Freedom, Shari details the abuse she and her siblings endured and reflects on the trauma of having her life documented for millions of viewers. The memoir, published in January, serves as both a personal account of her experiences and a call to action for greater privacy protections for children in the digital age. Shari has also spoken to the Utah State Legislature, arguing that "there is no such thing as an ethical or moral family vlogger" and calling for legislation to safeguard child influencers. She has proposed specific measures, such as requiring parents of child influencers to create trust funds for their children and pay them a minimum wage for their work.

The Franke Family Dynamics and the Aftermath of Ruby’s Conviction

The Franke family, which includes six children—Shari, Abby, Julie, Eve, Chad, and Russell—was thrust into the spotlight when Ruby and Kevin created their YouTube channel in 2015. At the time, Shari was 11 years old, and the youngest child, Eve, was just 1. The channel quickly gained a massive following, but behind the scenes, the family was living a very different reality. Shari has described her childhood as traumatic, and her siblings have also begun to speak out about their experiences. Since Ruby’s conviction, the older children have distanced themselves from their mother, focusing on their own healing and advocacy work. Shari, in particular, has taken control of her narrative, using her memoir and public appearances to raise awareness about the dangers of family vlogging and the exploitation of children for social media fame. Meanwhile, the younger children are navigating their new reality without their mother, who is serving a lengthy prison sentence.

The Aftermath and New Revelations in the Hulu Docuseries

The Hulu docuseries Devil in the Family offers a detailed and intimate look at the Franke family’s experiences, featuring never-before-seen footage and firsthand accounts from family members. The series delves into the psychological manipulation and control that Ruby and Jodi Hildebrandt allegedly exerted over the children, as well as the physical and emotional abuse they endured. Shari and Chad Franke share their personal stories, providing a harrowing look at life inside the Franke household. The docuseries also examines the broader implications of the case, highlighting the potential dangers of family vlogging and the lack of protections for children who are featured in monetized online content. Through its exploration of the Franke case, Devil in the Family raises important questions about the ethical responsibilities of parents who profit from their children’s online presence and the need for stronger safeguards to protect child influencers.

The Broader Implications and the Call for Legislative Change

The case of Ruby Franke has sparked a national conversation about the darker side of family vlogging and the exploitation of children for social media fame. Shari Franke’s advocacy and memoir have brought attention to the need for stronger protections for child influencers, particularly in the realms of finances and privacy. Currently, only three U.S. states have laws requiring that earnings from monetized content be set aside for the children involved. Shari has called for nationwide legislation that would require parents to create trust funds for their child influencers and pay them a minimum wage for their work. She has also emphasized the importance of mental health support for children who have been exploited through family vlogging. As the Franke family continues to navigate the aftermath of Ruby’s conviction, their story serves as a cautionary tale about the risks of prioritizing social media fame over the well-being of children. Shari’s efforts to create change offer hope for a future where child influencers are protected and empowered to take control of their own narratives.