5 Shocking Updates On Ruby Franke Now: Prison Life, Parole Credit, And Her Family's New Chapter
The dramatic downfall of former "momfluencer" Ruby Franke continues to captivate and horrify the public, with new developments constantly emerging regarding her incarceration, legal status, and the lives of her six children. As of December 21, 2025, Franke is serving a significant prison sentence after pleading guilty to four counts of aggravated child abuse, a shocking end to the family vlogging career that once amassed over two million subscribers on the now-defunct 8 Passengers YouTube channel.
The transition from a seemingly perfect, advice-dispensing online mother to a convicted felon has raised profound questions about the hidden realities of social media fame and the welfare of child influencers. This article provides the most current and essential updates on where Ruby Franke is now, the specifics of her sentence, her life behind bars, and the critical new chapters her family and the state of Utah are writing.
Ruby Franke: Biographical Profile and Timeline
To fully understand the current status of Ruby Franke, it is essential to review the key details of her life and the timeline of her legal troubles, which culminated in her imprisonment at the Utah State Correctional Facility.
- Full Name: Ruby Franke
- Date of Birth: January 18, 1982
- Place of Birth: Springville, Utah
- Former Occupation: Family Vlogger, YouTuber, "Momfluencer," and co-founder of the counseling service ConneXions with Jodi Hildebrandt.
- Former YouTube Channel: 8 Passengers (Defunct)
- Spouse: Kevin Franke (Divorce filed in late 2023)
- Children: Shari Franke, Chad Franke, Abby Franke, Julie Franke, Russell Franke, and Eve Franke.
- Arrest Date: August 30, 2023, after her malnourished 12-year-old son, Russell Franke, escaped from the home of Jodi Hildebrandt and asked a neighbor for food and water.
- Sentencing Date: December 18, 2023.
Update 1: The Harsh Reality of Her Prison Sentence and Earliest Release Date
Ruby Franke’s sentence is one of the most significant aspects of her current status. She was sentenced to four consecutive terms of one to 15 years in prison, one for each count of second-degree felony aggravated child abuse. While the total maximum sentence could technically reach 60 years, Utah state law caps the total time served for consecutive indeterminate sentences at 30 years.
Incarceration Location and Offender Status
Franke is currently incarcerated at the Utah State Correctional Facility in Salt Lake City, Utah, under the custody of the Utah Department of Corrections. Her former business partner and co-defendant, Jodi Hildebrandt, is serving an identical sentence at the same facility.
Parole Eligibility and 'Earned Time Credit'
Because each of her four sentences carries a minimum term of one year, Franke’s earliest possible parole eligibility date is approximately four years from her sentencing, placing it in late 2027 or early 2028. However, the exact date is determined by the Utah Board of Pardons and Parole. In a critical, recent development, Franke has been reported to have received "earned time credit" from the Utah Department of Corrections. This credit is earned by inmates for good behavior, participation in programs, and work assignments, and it can slightly reduce the minimum time an offender must serve before their first parole hearing.
This "earned time credit" is a key update for those tracking her case, as it indicates Franke is actively working within the prison system, though it does not guarantee an early release. The Board of Pardons and Parole will ultimately decide if and when she is released, considering the severity of the crimes, her conduct in prison, and the impact statements from the victims—her children.
Update 2: The Franke Family's New Life and Kevin Franke's Divorce
The lives of the Franke children and her ex-husband, Kevin Franke, have undergone a dramatic and necessary overhaul since Ruby's arrest. This new chapter is perhaps the most significant update in the entire saga.
Custody and Divorce Proceedings
Following Ruby Franke's conviction, her four minor children were placed into protective custody. Her ex-husband, Kevin Franke, who had been separated from Ruby for over a year before her arrest, filed for divorce in late 2023. The divorce proceedings have been complex, but the primary focus has been on ensuring the children's safety and well-being. Kevin Franke has been working to regain custody of the minor children, a process that is ongoing and often involves extensive oversight from child protective services.
Shari Franke's Public Stance and Memoir
Ruby and Kevin's oldest daughter, Shari Franke, has been the most outspoken family member, providing clarity and context for the public. Shari, who was estranged from her mother at the time of the arrest, has used her platform to advocate for her younger siblings and speak out against the abuse she and her siblings suffered. In a major new development, Shari Franke is reportedly working on a memoir detailing her experiences, which is expected to offer a raw, behind-the-scenes look at the toxic environment of the 8 Passengers channel and the abuse that was hidden from millions of viewers.
Update 3: The Broader Impact—New Laws and Media Coverage
The Ruby Franke case has transcended a simple criminal conviction; it has sparked a national conversation about child exploitation in the digital age and directly led to legislative change.
The Utah Child Influencer Protection Law
In a direct response to the Franke case, the state of Utah has moved to enact a pioneering Child Influencer Protection Law. This legislation aims to safeguard the earnings and privacy of children featured in commercial online content, often referred to as "sharenting." Key provisions include mandating that a percentage of the child's earnings be placed in a trust fund and providing children with the right to have content featuring them removed from the internet upon reaching adulthood. This law is a historic legislative consequence of the 8 Passengers scandal.
Documentaries and Lifetime Movie
The public's intense curiosity surrounding the case has fueled a wave of media projects. A Hulu docuseries has been released, providing an in-depth look at the former "momfluencer" and her tragic fall from grace. Furthermore, a Lifetime movie titled 'Mormon Mom Gone Wrong: The Ruby Franke Story' is in production, signaling the case's lasting cultural impact and its place in the true crime genre.
Update 4: The ConneXions Scandal and Jodi Hildebrandt's Status
Ruby Franke’s crimes were inextricably linked to her business partner, Jodi Hildebrandt, and their controversial "self-help" program, ConneXions. The latest updates confirm the permanent end of their enterprise.
Jodi Hildebrandt, who also pleaded guilty to four counts of aggravated child abuse, is serving the same consecutive sentence as Franke at the Utah State Correctional Facility. The ConneXions program, which many critics labeled a cult-like organization, is now completely defunct. Furthermore, Hildebrandt faced disciplinary action from the Utah Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL) for violating patient confidentiality, further confirming the ethical and legal dissolution of her counseling practice.
Update 5: The Public's Ongoing Fascination and Ethical Debate
The long-tail interest in the Ruby Franke scandal continues to generate significant online debate, fueling searches for LSI keywords like Ruby Franke prison letters and Ruby Franke family update. The case serves as a cautionary tale about the monetization of private family life. The public is now keenly focused on the ethical responsibilities of platforms like YouTube and the need for greater transparency and protection for the children whose lives are broadcast for profit. The ongoing updates, particularly regarding the Franke children's recovery and the legal changes in Utah, cement the case's legacy as a pivotal moment in the history of social media and child welfare.
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