Shari Franke Opens Up About Her Mother’s Abuse

The Rise and Fall of the Franke Family

The Franke family became well-known through their YouTube channel, “8 Passengers,” where Ruby shared daily life with her husband, Kevin Franke, and their six children. At its peak, the channel had over 2 million subscribers but came to a sudden halt. Despite their image of a perfect family, a much darker reality was hidden underneath.

The Conviction and Sentencing

In 2023, Ruby Franke pled guilty to four counts of child abuse, resulting in four prison sentences that range from one to 15 years each. Similarly, Jodi Hildebrandt received a sentence of the same duration. Their arrest followed a horrific incident where police found one of Shari’s brothers severely malnourished, with open wounds and bound with duct tape. The boy managed to escape to a neighbor’s house, and another sister was discovered in equally dire conditions.

Shari Franke's Memoir

In her memoir published by Simon & Schuster, Shari reveals the grim abuse she and her siblings experienced. She stated, “My mother subjected me and my siblings to her twisted take on crime and punishment our entire lives—until Jodi came along, introducing terrifying new layers of sadism,” as quoted in an Amazon excerpt.

The Journey Towards Forgiveness

In a recent chat with ABC’s “Good Morning America,” Shari, now 21, shared her views on forgiveness. She explained, “Forgiveness is something I’ve had to explore deeply, thinking about what it truly means. For me, it means not letting the past take over every moment of my life.”

Jodi Hildebrandt’s Impact

Shari recalled facing physical abuse from an early age, like being slapped or having her hand slammed down. Things turned for the worse psychologically when her mother met Jodi. At first, Shari thought it could be a blessing since Ruby had stopped yelling and hitting them. However, the situation degraded into psychological torment, which she found even more harmful.

In her memoir, Shari portrays Hildebrandt as a “cult leader” within their family, describing her as a false prophet who manipulated Ruby into following her unsettling teachings.

The ConneXions Controversy

Ruby and Jodi often collaborated on parenting and relationship advice videos for Jodi’s life coaching platform, ConneXions. Their approaches faced criticism for being excessively harsh. In videos that have since been taken down, they suggested that anyone not living in “truth”—even children—should be excluded from their families.

The Intensification of Abuse

Shari mentioned that the "weird vibes" increased when Hildebrandt moved into the Franke home in 2022. Her mother tried to keep their activities hidden. That same year, Shari's father, Kevin, separated from Ruby at her request, according to his lawyer.

“I don’t think it’s normal for a therapist to move into a client’s home,” she reflected during her “GMA” interview. “I hadn’t even left for college yet, and she was in my room and my bed.”

Seeking Justice

Shari has expressed that she spent years trying to alert authorities about their situation. After her mother’s arrest, she posted a photo of police officers on her Instagram Story with the tagline, “Finally.” In another now-deleted post, she shared her relief that justice was being served, emphasizing that her family had been trying to inform police and Child Protective Services about the abuse for years.

Speaking Before the Utah Senate

In October, Shari testified about her experiences as a child family vlogger before the Utah Senate, asserting, “there is no such thing as a moral or ethical family vlogger.” She addressed lawmakers, saying, “I’m here today as a victim of family vlogging. My aim isn’t to offer solutions but to shed light on the ethical and financial challenges that come with being a child influencer.”

Rebuilding and Looking Ahead

While Shari doubts her mother can fully grasp the weight of her actions, she told “GMA” that she believes Ruby is “as sorry as she can be.” Shari is now focused on reconnecting with her siblings and father.

“Sometimes I catch my reflection and think, ‘Wow, I look like her’ or ‘I sound like her,’” she confessed. “But I don’t want to be anything like her.”

Conclusion

Shari Franke’s memoir, “The House of My Mother: A Daughter’s Quest for Freedom,” offers a poignant and unsettling glimpse into the abuse her family suffered. Her story serves as a powerful reminder of the darker sides of family vlogging and highlights the critical need to protect children from such abuse. As Shari continues her healing journey, her courage in sharing her experiences is sure to inspire others and raise awareness about the urgent issues surrounding child abuse and exploitation.