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Hulu’s latest docuseries, Devil in the Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke, delves into the true story of YouTube family vlogger Ruby Frank and how she and family therapist, Jodi Hildebrandt, were convicted of child abuse. Where is Ruby Franke now, and what did the mother of six do to land in prison? Here’s everything you need to know.

Devil in the Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke, released on Hulu on Feb. 27, features firsthand accounts from the Mormon family’s two eldest children, Shari and Chad Franke, and Ruby’s now-ex-husband, Kevin. In their own words, they detail the events that tore their family apart, including starvation, emotional distress, physical abuse, and more.

ForbesThe Crazy True Story Behind Hulu’s ‘Devil In The Family: The Fall Of Ruby Franke’By Monica MercuriThe Franke family was once at the center of the popular YouTube vlog channel 8 Passengers—until Ruby Franke and her associate were sentenced in February 2024 to prison terms ranging from four to 30 years for abusing two of Franke’s six children. The three-part docuseries also provides exclusive access to the Frankes, their friends and neighbors, and over a thousand hours of previously unseen footage.

Who Is Ruby Franke?

Ruby Franke, a mother of six from Springville, Utah, launched the family YouTube channel 8 Passengers in 2015. The channel documented her family’s daily lives, including those of her husband, Kevin, and their children: daughters Shari, Abby, Julie, and Eve, as well as sons Chad and Russell. Their children ranged from 1-year-old Eve to 11-year-old Shari when the channel began.

In an early “8 Passengers” video, Franke shared her main goal was “to be a stay-at-home mom and to make, like, dinner for my family and to have lots and lots of babies,” according to the podcast, The Rise and Fall of Ruby Franke. She added, “That has always been my dream.”

The Mormon family shared nearly every aspect of their lives on 8 Passengers, from homeschooling and mealtime routines to embarrassing discussions about puberty and bra shopping. At its peak, the channel brought in up to $100,000 per month, allowing the family to move into a larger home. However, by 2020, concerned viewers began questioning the Frankes’ treatment of their children, particularly their use of certain punishments.

According to People, these controversial punishments included “refusing to bring Eve, then 6 years old, lunch at school when she forgot to pack it, taking away the ‘privilege’ to eat dinner from sons Chad and Russell after they were wrestling in the home, making Eve sleep on the bathroom floor after wetting the bed and taking away Chad’s bed for seven months for playing a prank on a sibling.”

The family then brought in controversial therapist Jodi Hildebrandt to counsel Chad, who was pushing back against participating in YouTube. Ruby became increasingly drawn to Hildebrandt’s teachings, and the two eventually launched a podcast and Instagram account called “Moms of Truth.”

Kevin told TODAY.com that the moment he allowed Hildebrandt into his home “was the moment when everything really started going crazy.” Hildebrandt made Ruby separate from her husband, and she moved into Hildebrandt’s home in Ivins, Utah. As a result, Franke allegedly left her two teenage daughters, Abby and Julie, alone in the family’s Springville home, located about four or five hours away from Ivins, according to People.

When Was Ruby Franke Finally Arrested?

Police arrested Ruby Franke in August 2023 after her 12-year-old son escaped from Hildebrandt’s home and sought help from a neighbor, asking them to call the police. He was found with wounds, duct tape on his ankles and wrists, and clear signs of malnourishment.

When law enforcement arrived, they learned that more children might still be inside Hildebrandt’s home and at risk. Authorities arrested Hildebrandt and searched the property, where they found Franke’s 9-year-old daughter hiding in a closet.

An investigation from Washington County officials revealed that Franke and Hildebrand regularly denied Franke’s 12-year-old son and 9-year-old daughter food, water, beds to sleep in, and all forms of entertainment. The children weren’t allowed to interact with others and were hidden in the home when people visited.

For example, the kids were forced to do demanding physical tasks, including carrying loaded boxes up and down stairs and sitting against a wall without a chair or stool for hours. They also had to do manual labor outdoors in the scorching summer heat without shoes or socks. Sometimes, they were forced to stand outside in the summer on a cement patio for hours and even days, the case summary from Washington County reads. “They were beaten, and the 12-year old was bound hand and foot after a previous attempt at running away. Additionally, the children suffered emotional abuse to the extent that they came to believe that they deserved the abuse.”

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What Was Ruby Franke Charged With?

Ruby Franke was charged with six counts of aggravated child abuse. She later pleaded guilty to four counts of child abuse in December 2023 and admitted to torturing her children. Franke claimed that she either believed—or was led by Hildebrandt to believe—that her children were possessed and carried out these punishments in an attempt to rid them of demons.

How Long Is Ruby Franke In Jail?

Ruby Franke was sentenced to 4 to 60 years in February 2024 prison for her crimes. Hildebrandt also received the same sentence. They each must serve at least four years and a maximum of 30 years in Utah State Prison, according to The Washington Post.

“For the past four years, I’ve chosen to follow counsel and guidance that has led me into a dark delusion,” Franke said ahead of her sentencing. “My distorted version of reality went largely unchecked as I would isolate from anyone who challenged me.”

She continued, “To my babies, you are a part of me. I believed dark was light and right was wrong. I would do anything in this world for you. I took from you all that was soft, and safe, and good.”

Where Is Ruby Franke Now?

Ruby Franke is currently incarcerated at the Utah State Correctional Facility in Salt Lake City, where she has been since her sentencing last year. Hildebrandt is also serving time at the same facility, making it possible for them to cross paths during their sentences.

Karen Tapahe, public information officer for the Utah Department of Corrections, confirmed to TODAY.com that Franke and Hildebrandt are housed in different sections of the prison’s Dell housing unit, the facility’s only unit for women.

However, Tapahe told the site that “it is possible they could see each other at various times,” including during gym time, classes, or other types of programming.

Devil in the Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke is streaming on Hulu. Watch the official trailer below.