The Rise and Fall of 8 Passengers: What Happened to the YouTube Family?

The 8 Passengers YouTube channel was once one of the most popular family vlogs on the platform. Run by Ruby Franke and her husband, Kevin Franke, the channel documented the lives of their six children, offering viewers a glimpse into their daily routines, parenting styles, and family adventures. At its peak, the channel had over 2.3 million subscribers. However, in recent years, 8 Passengers faced major backlash, leading to its downfall.

The Rise of 8 Passengers

Ruby Franke started 8 Passengers in 2015, originally as a way to document her family's life. Like many family vloggers, she shared videos about parenting, homeschooling, and everyday family moments. The channel quickly gained traction due to Ruby's strict but seemingly well-meaning parenting style.

Viewers were drawn to the Franke family for their wholesome content, faith-based values, and relatability. Over time, the channel evolved to include collaborations with other family vloggers, such as The Ohana Adventure and April and Davey, expanding their audience further.

Controversies & Backlash

As the channel grew, so did criticism of Ruby’s parenting methods. Viewers began expressing concern over what they saw as extreme disciplinary tactics. Some of the biggest controversies included:

Punishing Her Son by Taking Away His Bed – In a 2020 video, Ruby revealed that her son, Chad, had his bedroom taken away for seven months as a punishment. Many felt this was excessive.

Withholding Food as Discipline – Ruby once mentioned that she did not bring lunch for her daughter, Eve, because she "forgot her lunch at home" and needed to learn responsibility. Critics found this harsh for a young child.

Isolating Their Children – Chad, their eldest son, was reportedly sent to a behavioral camp in the wilderness after displaying rebellious behavior. Some saw this as extreme and possibly harmful.

Despite the backlash, Ruby defended her parenting choices, stating that they were based on strong values and tough love. However, as criticism intensified, Ruby and Kevin disabled comments on many videos and became less active online.

Connections to Jodi Hildebrandt & Legal Issues

In 2022, Ruby distanced herself from 8 Passengers and focused on a new venture: ConneXions, a life-coaching business run by Jodi Hildebrandt. ConneXions promoted strict parenting and self-discipline, but many saw it as promoting emotional abuse.

In August 2023, Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt were arrested on child abuse charges. Police discovered that Ruby’s two youngest children had been severely malnourished and physically harmed. This shocking development led to widespread media coverage, and Ruby's husband, Kevin, stated that he was unaware of the abuse.

What Happened to 8 Passengers?

After Ruby’s arrest, the 8 Passengers YouTube channel was deleted. Kevin Franke has remained mostly silent, while their children are reportedly receiving care. The case against Ruby and Jodi is ongoing, with both facing serious legal consequences.

The Dark Side of Family Vlogging

The 8 Passengers scandal highlights a major issue with family vlogging: privacy and exploitation of children for views. Many critics argue that parents can easily cross ethical lines when their family becomes their business.

Conclusion

What started as a wholesome family vlog turned into one of YouTube’s biggest controversies. The 8 Passengers case serves as a reminder that behind the curated online lives of influencers, reality can be much darker.