5 Shocking New Updates On Paige, Hannah, And Ruby Franke: Custody, Sentencing, And The Friend Who Finally Spoke Out
The tragic story of the Franke family, once famous on YouTube as the "8 Passengers," has reached a definitive and disturbing conclusion in the legal system as of late 2025. The search query "Paige Hannah Ruby Franke" refers to a complex web of individuals: the convicted former vlogger, Ruby Franke, her daughters and victims, Paige and Hannah Franke, and a former close associate, Paige Hanna, whose recent public statements have provided a fresh, shocking look behind the scenes of the abuse. This article breaks down the absolute latest information, focusing on Ruby Franke's final sentencing and the current, permanent status of her children's custody.
The case, which centered on severe child abuse and neglect facilitated by Ruby Franke and her business partner Jodi Hildebrandt, has seen major developments in the past year, moving from arrest and plea to final sentencing and divorce proceedings. The most current updates revolve around the legal protection granted to the minor children, including Paige and Hannah, and the explosive testimony from those closest to the disgraced former "momfluencer."
The Franke Family's Complete Biography and Legal Timeline
The Franke family gained notoriety through their YouTube channel, *8 Passengers*, which documented the lives of parents Ruby and Kevin Franke and their six children. The channel, which launched in 2015 and was shut down in 2023, often drew criticism for its harsh parenting methods before the shocking criminal charges were filed. The following timeline provides a clear overview of the key individuals and the legal saga's definitive dates:
- Ruby Franke (née Griffiths): Born January 18, 1982. Former family vlogger and founder of *8 Passengers*. Convicted of aggravated child abuse.
- Kevin Franke: Ruby's estranged husband and father of the six children. He filed for divorce shortly after Ruby's arrest.
- The Six Children: Shari (oldest, now adult), Chad, Abby, Julie, Paige, Hannah, and Eve (youngest). Paige and Hannah are two of the four minor children affected by the custody ruling.
- Jodi Hildebrandt: Ruby Franke's business partner in the "Connexions Classroom" and co-defendant in the child abuse case.
- Paige Hanna (The Friend): A Utah woman, fellow Mormon mother, and former close friend of Ruby Franke who was involved with Connexions and has recently spoken out against Ruby and Jodi.
Key Legal Milestones
The legal process has been swift and conclusive, providing a finality to the case that offers the children a path to recovery.
- August 30, 2023: Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt are arrested in Ivins, Utah, after Ruby's malnourished 12-year-old son (Russell) escaped Hildebrandt's home and sought help from a neighbor.
- December 2023: Both Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt plead guilty to four counts of second-degree felony aggravated child abuse.
- February 2024: Ruby Franke is sentenced to four consecutive prison terms of one to 15 years, meaning she could serve up to 60 years, though Utah law caps the sentence at 30 years. She offered a tearful apology in court.
- Early 2025: Ruby and Kevin Franke finalize their divorce.
Where Are Paige and Hannah Franke Now? The Custody Battle After 8 Passengers
The most pressing question for the public concerned the fate of the minor children, including Paige and Hannah Franke, who were once prominently featured on the *8 Passengers* channel. The latest legal developments confirm their permanent status and offer a measure of stability.
The divorce between Ruby and Kevin Franke was finalized in early 2025, which included a definitive custody agreement. Kevin Franke was granted full custody of the four minor children. This ruling officially removes Paige, Hannah, and their younger siblings from the custody of their convicted mother.
Paige and Hannah, along with their younger siblings, are now under the sole care of their father, Kevin Franke, who has been working to re-establish a stable and safe environment for them. Their older sister, Shari Franke, who had previously distanced herself from her parents' controversial behavior, has been an outspoken advocate for her younger siblings, offering public support and providing updates on their well-being. The children are no longer in state custody and are focusing on healing from the trauma of the abuse and neglect they suffered.
The Shocking New Perspective: Paige Hanna Speaks Out on Ruby's 'Selfishness'
A major, fresh development in the case came from a figure who shares a similar name with one of the victims: Paige Hanna, a former close friend of Ruby Franke. Paige Hanna was a fellow Mormon mother and YouTuber who was deeply involved with Ruby and Jodi Hildebrandt's controversial "Connexions Classroom" program.
In a series of recent public statements and interviews, Paige Hanna has detailed her own experience, providing a critical insider's view of the toxic environment surrounding Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt. Her testimony is crucial because it offers insight into the early behaviors of Ruby Franke, even before the most severe abuse came to light.
Paige Hanna's Key Revelations
Paige Hanna's statements, which surfaced in early 2024, painted a picture of a controlling and manipulative relationship between Franke and Hildebrandt, and revealed Ruby's character flaws.
- Connexions Involvement: Hanna confirmed her deep involvement with the "Connexions" program, which she was introduced to by Ruby Franke. She described the program as a series of rigid, often bizarre, rules disguised as mental health advice.
- Ruby's Lack of Compassion: Hanna described Ruby as "so selfish" and lacking in compassion, suggesting that Ruby’s focus was primarily on herself and her image, rather than the well-being of her children or friends.
- Jodi's Control: She detailed how Jodi Hildebrandt exerted a dangerous level of control over Ruby, effectively isolating her from her family and other friends. This isolation was a key component that allowed the abuse to escalate unchecked.
Paige Hanna's decision to speak out has been a significant piece of the public narrative, serving as a warning about the dangers of extreme, unchecked "parenting advice" and the cult-like influence of programs like Connexions. Her account helps to bridge the gap between the public persona of the *8 Passengers* star and the convicted abuser.
The End of an Era: The Legacy of Connexions and the Future of the Franke Children
The resolution of the Ruby Franke case marks the end of the *8 Passengers* saga and provides a stark lesson on the dark side of family vlogging. The entities involved—Connexions Classroom, Jodi Hildebrandt, and the Franke family itself—are now synonymous with aggravated child abuse and neglect.
The children, especially Paige and Hannah Franke, face a long journey of healing. While their physical safety is now secured under the full custody of their father, the emotional and psychological trauma from years of documented and undocumented abuse will take time to address. The public focus has now shifted from the sensational details of the arrest to the quiet recovery of the victims.
The story of Paige, Hannah, and their siblings is a powerful reminder of the vulnerability of children whose lives are broadcast online. The swift legal action and the final custody ruling ensure that the Franke children can now pursue a private life away from the cameras, focused on their well-being and recovery.
In summary, as of late 2025, Ruby Franke is serving her prison sentence, the divorce is finalized, and Kevin Franke has full custody of Paige, Hannah, and the younger children. The most recent fresh information comes from former friend Paige Hanna, whose testimony further solidified the public understanding of the dangerous environment created by Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt.
Detail Author:
- Name : Miss Linda Emard PhD
- Username : jordyn42
- Email : hodkiewicz.lurline@gmail.com
- Birthdate : 1997-11-25
- Address : 444 Carter Union Dibbertbury, ME 82339-0233
- Phone : 1-571-969-6304
- Company : Collins PLC
- Job : Middle School Teacher
- Bio : Est nemo velit sapiente vitae quo. Aspernatur accusamus ipsam hic mollitia. Quia rerum esse voluptatem eius ut impedit nobis aspernatur. Unde et similique occaecati accusamus et eligendi iure iste.
Socials
facebook:
- url : https://facebook.com/kilbacka
- username : kilbacka
- bio : Aut sequi est quo dolor et quo rerum.
- followers : 5337
- following : 83
instagram:
- url : https://instagram.com/kilback1983
- username : kilback1983
- bio : Et voluptatibus quos eaque itaque iure porro magni. Ipsa recusandae rerum eos debitis praesentium.
- followers : 4450
- following : 312
tiktok:
- url : https://tiktok.com/@alfred_kilback
- username : alfred_kilback
- bio : Deserunt adipisci reiciendis id ducimus.
- followers : 707
- following : 2271
linkedin:
- url : https://linkedin.com/in/kilbacka
- username : kilbacka
- bio : Incidunt cum dicta et sint numquam dignissimos.
- followers : 730
- following : 143
twitter:
- url : https://twitter.com/akilback
- username : akilback
- bio : Cum tempora alias culpa quis qui excepturi nobis numquam. Id assumenda optio maxime ducimus et. Veritatis ipsa eum vero rerum et voluptatibus.
- followers : 2889
- following : 45
