Ruby Franke, the former family vlogger behind the YouTube channel 8 Passengers, became widely known for sharing videos about her family life and parenting. She and her former husband, Kevin Franke, have six children: Shari, Chad, Abby, Julie, Russell, and Eve. The family gained public attention through their online videos before Ruby’s 2023 arrest and subsequent conviction for aggravated child abuse.
Many people search for Ruby Franke’s kids’ names, their family background, and what happened after the case became public. This article explains what is known from public reporting while respecting the privacy of the four younger children, who have largely been kept out of the public eye.
👨👩👧👦 How Many Kids Does Ruby Franke Have?
Ruby Franke has six children with her former husband, Kevin Franke. Their names are:
- Shari Franke — the eldest daughter.
- Chad Franke — the eldest son.
- Abby Franke — one of their younger daughters.
- Julie Franke — one of their younger daughters.
- Russell Franke — one of their younger sons.
- Eve Franke — the youngest daughter.
The family previously appeared on the YouTube channel 8 Passengers, which documented everyday activities, family experiences, and Ruby’s approach to parenting.
Following Ruby’s arrest in August 2023, the family’s circumstances changed dramatically. The case brought renewed attention to the risks children may face when their private lives are shared publicly online.
👩 Who Is Shari Franke?
Shari Franke is Ruby and Kevin Franke’s eldest child. She became publicly known through her family’s YouTube channel but later spoke about her experiences growing up in a family that shared much of its life online.
Shari has publicly discussed her relationship with her mother and the impact of her childhood experiences. In January 2025, she published her memoir, The House of My Mother: A Daughter’s Quest for Freedom, in which she described her family life and her efforts to understand her past.
She has also spoken about the potential consequences of family vlogging, particularly when children have little control over how their personal experiences are recorded and shared.
Shari’s public advocacy has helped bring attention to questions about children’s privacy, online consent, and the long-term effects of growing up in front of a camera.
👨 Who Is Chad Franke?
Chad Franke is Ruby and Kevin’s eldest son. He appeared in 8 Passengers during his childhood and adolescence.
Some family videos and later public accounts attracted criticism over the way Chad was disciplined. Following Ruby’s arrest, Chad spoke publicly about his experiences in the Hulu docuseries Devil in the Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke.
His account became part of the wider discussion about the difference between the image a family presents online and what may happen away from the camera.
Chad and his sister Shari have both shared aspects of their experiences, although each has their own perspective on the family’s history.
👧 What Is Publicly Known About Abby, Julie, Russell, and Eve?
Abby, Julie, Russell, and Eve are Ruby and Kevin’s four younger children. Compared with their older siblings, considerably less information about their current lives is publicly available.
Following Ruby’s arrest, four children were placed in protective custody. Kevin later regained custody, and reporting on the couple’s divorce indicates that he received full custody of their four youngest children when the divorce was finalized in March 2025.
Because the younger children were minors during the legal proceedings, responsible reporting should avoid speculation about their private lives, personal relationships, schooling, or exact whereabouts.
The children deserve the opportunity to grow up with greater privacy and without unnecessary public attention surrounding the abuse case.
📺 What Was the 8 Passengers YouTube Channel?
8 Passengers was a family YouTube channel launched by Ruby and Kevin Franke in 2015. It featured the couple and their six children, sharing aspects of their everyday routines and family experiences.
The channel attracted a large audience and became a recognizable example of family vlogging. However, some videos drew criticism from viewers who questioned the family’s disciplinary practices and the amount of children’s lives being shared online.
The controversy surrounding the channel grew over time. Following Ruby’s arrest in 2023, YouTube terminated her channels.
The case also contributed to broader conversations about the responsibilities of family influencers, the privacy rights of children, and whether existing safeguards adequately protect young people featured in monetized online content.
⚖️ What Happened to Ruby Franke?
In August 2023, Ruby Franke was arrested in Utah in connection with child abuse. The investigation revealed serious mistreatment involving two of her children at the home of family counselor Jodi Hildebrandt.
In December 2023, Ruby pleaded guilty to four counts of aggravated child abuse. In February 2024, she was sentenced to consecutive prison terms that could total four to 30 years, subject to Utah’s sentencing and parole rules.
Hildebrandt also pleaded guilty to four counts of aggravated child abuse and received prison terms.
The case received widespread media coverage because Ruby had previously built a public identity around parenting advice and family videos. It raised difficult questions about child protection, the influence of online personalities, and how warning signs of abuse can go unrecognized.
👨👧👦 Who Has Custody of Ruby Franke’s Kids?
Ruby Franke’s divorce from Kevin Franke was finalized in March 2025. According to public reporting, Kevin received full custody of their four youngest children.
Shari and Chad, the eldest children, were already adults by the time their mother was arrested in 2023. Both have spoken publicly about aspects of their experiences, but their choices about how much to share remain their own.
The younger children’s current circumstances are more private. It is important to distinguish verified court-related information from online rumors, unconfirmed social media posts, and speculation about where the children live or what they are doing.
🛡️ Why Is the Ruby Franke Case Important?
The Ruby Franke case is frequently discussed in conversations about child safety, family vlogging, and the influence of social media.
Several important issues emerged from the case:
- Children’s privacy: Young people may have their personal experiences shared online before they can meaningfully consent.
- Online accountability: A large following does not guarantee that a creator’s behavior is appropriate or safe.
- Child protection: Concerns about a child’s welfare need to be taken seriously and assessed by the appropriate authorities.
- Responsible family content: Parents who publish content involving their children should consider the potential long-term effects.
- Long-term recovery: Children affected by abuse may need privacy, stability, and support without continued public scrutiny.
The case also helped strengthen public discussion about legal protections for children featured in online content.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How many kids does Ruby Franke have?
Ruby Franke has six children with her former husband, Kevin Franke: Shari, Chad, Abby, Julie, Russell, and Eve.
What are Ruby Franke’s kids’ names?
Their names are Shari Franke, Chad Franke, Abby Franke, Julie Franke, Russell Franke, and Eve Franke.
Who is Ruby Franke’s oldest child?
Shari Franke is Ruby and Kevin Franke’s eldest child. She has publicly discussed her childhood experiences and published her memoir, The House of My Mother: A Daughter’s Quest for Freedom, in January 2025.
Who is Ruby Franke’s oldest son?
Chad Franke is Ruby and Kevin Franke’s eldest son. He has publicly discussed his experiences as part of the Hulu docuseries Devil in the Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke.
Who has custody of Ruby Franke’s younger children?
Public reporting on Ruby and Kevin Franke’s divorce states that Kevin received full custody of their four youngest children when the divorce was finalized in March 2025.
Why was Ruby Franke arrested?
Ruby Franke was arrested in August 2023 in connection with child abuse. She pleaded guilty to four counts of aggravated child abuse in December 2023 and was sentenced in February 2024.
Did Ruby Franke’s children appear on YouTube?
Yes. The children appeared in videos on the family channel 8 Passengers, which documented aspects of their family life. The channel was terminated following Ruby’s arrest.
Where are Ruby Franke’s kids now?
Public reporting indicates that Kevin has custody of the four youngest children. Shari and Chad, the eldest children, have shared some information about their lives publicly. Details about the younger children’s day-to-day lives are largely private, and unverified online claims should be treated cautiously.
Conclusion
Ruby Franke has six children: Shari, Chad, Abby, Julie, Russell, and Eve. Their family became widely known through the YouTube channel 8 Passengers, but the case surrounding Ruby’s arrest and conviction brought serious concerns about child abuse and family vlogging into the spotlight.
While Shari and Chad have publicly discussed aspects of their experiences, the four younger children deserve privacy as they move forward. Understanding the case responsibly means focusing on verified information, child safety, and the importance of protecting children’s well-being both online and offline.
Julian Crest is a naming expert and content writer who specializes in baby names, pet names, team names, and creative naming ideas. He creates well-researched, engaging, and easy-to-read guides to help readers discover meaningful and unique names with confidence.
