8 Passengers YouTube Channel is started
An online petition is signed against the Franke Family
Ruby joins ConneXions
Ruby Franke stops posting videos in her YouTube channel, 8 Passengers and joins ConneXions with Jodi Hildebrandt. Ruby also changes her linked 8 Passengers Instagram profile to "Moms of Truth" where she begins posting ConneXions material along with Jodi.
YouTube has confirmed the deletion of the women's "ConneXions" page. Furthermore, resurfaced clips show Franke minimizing the seriousness of eating disorders, attributing fault to rape victims, and disparaging U.S. immigrants with Hilderandt, along with other social and political comments that have caused dissatisfaction among many viewers.
Kevin leaves the Franke home
Ruby Franke is pulled over for speeding
Days before her arrest for child abuse, Ruby Franke is pulled over for traveling at a rate of 50mph (80kph) in a 35mph (56kph) zone in the early hours of the morning.
Ruby's youngest son escapes and alerts the police
Ruby & Jodi are arrested
Reports indicate that Franke and Hildebrandt were arrested on charges of child abuse in August 2023. Santa Clara Public Safety Department officers responded to a call at Hildebrandt's residence in Ivins, Utah, after a neighbor reported an "emaciated" 12-year-old boy, identified as Franke's son, seeking help. This account is based on a probable cause affidavit acquired by PEOPLE magazine.
The boy, who reportedly exhibited visible wounds and marks from tape around his wrists and ankles, requested food and water from the neighbour. Shortly after, police also discovered Franke’s 10-year-old daughter, allegedly in a “similar physical condition of malnourishment”, inside Hildebrandt’s residence.
The Kids are safe
Ruby Franke's oldest daughter, Shari, shared a message on Instagram confirming the kids are safe.
Family members make statements
Ruby Franke's other sister, Ellie, posted a statement that was shared by multiple family members
Kevin moves back into the family house
Kevin was spotted for the first time moving back into the Franke family house, he hired someone to remove the 8Passengers logo from their van.
Ruby and Jodi are Charged with 6 Counts of Felony Child Abuse
Nearly a week following their arrest, Franke and Hildebrandt were charged with six counts of felony child abuse.
Ruby Franke accepted a plea bargain, admitting to the mistreatment of her children and agreeing to testify against Hildebrandt for a lesser sentence. Meanwhile, Hildebrandt's lawyer, Douglas Terry, has not disclosed if his client will seek a similar plea deal.
YouTube Bans Ruby and Deletes Her Channels
After Ruby Franke's arrest for six counts of felony child abuse, her YouTube channels, which featured parenting content, have been deleted and prohibited from the platform.
A YouTube representative confirmed the details, stating that the platform has "terminated two channels associated with Ruby Franke following our creator responsibility guidelines."
YouTube has also stated their readiness to remove any channels that re-upload content from Franke.
Ruby Franke makes first court appearance
Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt had their initial court appearances, they were each given their charges. A lawful recording of Ruby’s initial appearance was made available to the public.
Jodi’s Niece Alleges Prior Abuse
Jessi Hildebrandt, who uses they/them pronouns and is the niece of Jodi Hildebrandt, has alleged that they were subjected to abuse by their aunt for about a year during their teenage years. Jessi has stated that this abuse, which reportedly took place over ten years ago, shared similarities with the experiences of Franke's children as reported. Jessi's claims add to the allegations against Jodi Hildebrandt, who is currently facing charges alongside Ruby Franke.
i am not my sister
Ruby's sister, Bonnie, posted a video titled “I am not my sister. I am not my sister’s crimes”.
My side of the story
Julie posted a video titled “My side of the story concerning my sister Ruby Franke”.
Ruby pleads not guilty in traffic court.
Ruby pleaded not guilty in traffic court. A pre-trial hearing was scheduled for November 14th, 2023.
Jodi surrenders her therapy license
Jodi Hildebrandt voluntarily surrendered her therapy license pending the results of the criminal trial.
Search warrants
The search warrants were released to the public.
Judge seals custody case with the Franke children
A judge ruled that all future matters pertaining to the custody of the minor Franke children will be withheld from the public.
The extended family can still view the ongoing custody proceedings once their relationship to the Franke children is verified.
Important to note, this has no impact on the criminal trial against Jodi Hildebrandt and Ruby Franke for 6 felony counts of aggravated child abuse.
Bodycam footage of Kevin's interaction with police is released.
Bodycam footage of Kevin’s interaction with police is released. Police were returning the items Shari took from the Franke home.
A hearing in the custody of the Franke children takes place
A hearing in the custody case takes place, as they are now sealed there is no new information released.
Adam Paul Steed speaks out
Adam Paul Steed makes a statement on Facebook where he details how he's been unfairly silenced on his past with Jodi Hildebrandt.
Ruby appears in court for a speeding ticket.
Ruby appears in court for a speeding ticket. The infraction was driving 50mph (80kph) in a 35mph (56kph) zone. The judge dismissed the charges given the nature of other charges she faces.
Bodycam video of Ruby's speeding violation emerges
Body cam footage of Ruby’s traffic stop days before the arrest is released.
New legislation regulating life coaches
The Utah State Department of Professional Regulation is working with Senator David Hinkins to craft legislation regulating "life coaches" and the life coaching industry in response to Hildebrandt's business model, training, and conduct.
Kevin files for divorce.
Ruby Franke's estranged husband Kevin files for divorce after secretly separating from the YouTuber mom over 'a difference of opinion about their parenting' before her arrest for child abuse.
Court records reveal a domestic relations injunction was filed. This injunction prohibits both Ruby and Kevin From harassing or speaking negatively about each other in front of their children.
Extended Body Cam Footage From Pam Bodtcher's Encounter
KSL released body cam footage of police locating A&J at Pam Bodtcher's house.
Waiver Hearing Requested
Eric W. Clarke, Deputy Washington County Attorney, has requested waiver hearings for Ruby and Jodi to discuss the possibility of reaching plea deals. According to KUTV 2 "If a plea bargain can be reached, a preliminary hearing and trial would likely not take place. However, it’s also a hearing in which sentencing could take place following a guilty plea."
kevin does not have custody of his children
Kevin's attorney confirms Kevin does not have custody of his children, but states he’s working towards reunification
Ruby agrees to a plea deal
Franke's attorneys at Winward Law said in a statement that Franke wanted a quick resolution to the case.
According to the statement by Ruby Franke’s legal team, Hildebrandt may have “systematically isolated Ruby Franke from her extended family, older children, and her husband, Kevin Franke. This alleged isolation, the statement claims, may have contributed to Ms. Franke developing a distorted sense of morality, shaped by Ms. Hildebrandt’s influence.”
Ruby Pleads Guilty
Ruby Franke plead guilty to four second-degree felonies for aggravated child abuse during her waiver hearing. Each sentence is 1-15 years, she will serve a maximum of 30 years according to Utah State Law, decided by the parole board. A sentencing hearing will take place February 20, 2024. Unredacted plea agreement can be found here.
Jodi pleads guilty
Jodi Hildebrandt pleads guilty to four second-degree felonies for aggravated child abuse during her waiver hearing. Each sentence is 1-15 years, she will serve a maximum of 30 years according to Utah State Law, decided by the parole board. A sentencing hearing will take place February 20, 2024. Unredacted plea agreement can be found here.
Jodi Hildebrandt’s house is listed for $5.3M
The notorious desert dwelling in Ivins, UT, that gained national attention as the place where parenting influencer Ruby Franke abused her children alongside disgraced therapist Jodi Hildebrandt has become the most viewed home on Realtor.com® this week.
Kevin files a motion for restitution against Jodi
Kevin and his attorney file a restraining order and a motion for restitution against Jodi on behalf of the youngest Franke children. The restraining order halted the sale of Jodi's home and prevented her from moving liquid assets until the judge decides how much Jodi owes for the long-term psychological care the children will need in the future.
Judge terminates restraining order
Judge Walton terminated the restraining order, allowing Jodi to sell her home. Since the amount of restitution is not yet decided he required Jodi place $100K from the sale in escrow, which will be applied to the children's restitution.
Ruby Franke and Therapist Jodi Hildebrandt Sentenced on Charges of Aggravated Child Abuse
Jodi and Ruby were each sentenced to serve 4 second-degree felony charges of 1-15 years consecutively. They will serve a minimum of 4 years, Utah has a max of 30 years for second-degree felonies. The parole board will decide the amount of time based on their behavior and rehabilitation.
Date set for parole hearing
The Utah Board of Pardons and Parole determined both Franke and Hildebrandt would have their original hearing approximately three years after they pleaded guilty to four counts of aggravated child abuse.
Parole in December 2026
While the exact date and time of the hearings will be decided later on, parole officials said they will take place in December of 2026.