Robbie Frankie and family.
Courtesy of Mothers of Truth/InstagramRobbie Frankie She rose to fame while documenting her family's daily life on her YouTube channel in 2015, some of which was controversial.
After facing backlash over some of her teaching choices, Ruby shut down her channel “8 Passengers” and went on to launch ConneXions with her mentor. Judy Hildebrandt In 2022. In August 2023, Frankie is arrested On two counts of child abuse. She and Hildebrandt have since pleaded guilty and were sentenced to four consecutive prison terms.
In January 2025, Frank's eldest daughter, Shari, told her side of the story In her book“My Mother's House: A Daughter's Quest for Freedom.” The memoir details her mother's alleged abuse that occurred throughout Shari's childhood. (Robbie shares children Shari, Chad, Abby, Julie, Russell and Eve with her husband Kevin FrankeWho filed for divorce after her arrest.)
“When I was younger, around five and six, Ruby had a very strong body,” said Shari, who is now in her early 20s. Good morning America at that time. “Whether it was like a slap on the lip or a slap on the cheek… When I was practicing piano, her hand would hit so hard it was really scary.”
When asked if there was anything she would tell Ruby today, Shari said: “Maybe tell her I'm happy without you. I've been afraid of her for a long time, and I'm here without her consent, and I'm fine.”
Scroll down to find out what to know about Ruby and her family:
When was Robbie arrested?
Ruby was arrested in August 2023 on two counts of child abuse after one of her sons escaped through the window of Hildebrandt's home in Utah. The son went to a neighbor's house asking for food and water. According to authorities, the child had duct tape on his ankles and wrists and was malnourished.
How did you defend Ruby?
Robbie pleaded guilty to four counts of child abuse in December 2023, describing “physical torture.” As part of the plea deal, Ruby agreed to serve her prison sentence and that her sentences will run consecutively. Ruby also testified against Hildebrant, who pleaded guilty.
When was Robbie sentenced?
Roby was sentenced in February 2024 to four consecutive prison terms, each of which could range from one to 15 years. Hildebrant received the same sentence.
While addressing the court before her sentencing, Ruby said the charges against her were “fair.” She added:
“They provide safety for my family and accountability to the public.” Ruby claimed she had been “led to believe” the world was an “evil place” and thanked officials who saved her children.
Robbie Franke has been sentenced to up to 60 years in prison after pleading guilty to four counts of child abuse. Franke, 41, was sentenced on Tuesday, February 20, to four consecutive prison terms, each of which could range from one to 15 years. According to local news outlet KUTV, the Utah State Board of Pardons and (…)
What is Hildebrant's relationship with Ruby?
Shari wrote in her January 2025 book that Hildebrandt moved into the family home in 2022, with Kevin leaving soon after. Shari claimed the alleged abuse became more psychological than physical when Hildebrandt became part of the family's life.
“I definitely got weird vibes from Jodi and Robbie,” Shari said. Good morning America At the time, Ruby was reportedly “secretive” about her relationship with Hildebrandt. “I don't think it's at all normal for a therapist to move into your client's house…I was moving to college, I hadn't even left the house yet, and she's in my room and in my bed.”
Shari claimed in the book that she found messages on Robbie's laptop after they were arrested. “Ruby, expresses her frustration about having to meet Jodi's needs for physical affection without getting anything in return,” she wrote.
Ruby said Good morning America She is “not sure” if Ruby and Hildebrant's relationship is romantic. (Before her sentencing in February 2024, Ruby said in a court statement that Hildebrandt was “never” her business partner. Ruby claimed that Hildebrandt was “acting as an advisor to my son, in 2019, and in 2020, I paid her to be my mentor.”) )
Did any of Ruby's children contact authorities before her arrest?
Shari claimed to have contacted authorities about the alleged abuse on multiple occasions. The Utah Department of Child and Family Services declined to comment on Shari's claims in a statement to ABC News.
“The Utah Department of Child and Family Services (DCFS) works with children and families during some of their most vulnerable moments. “DCFS respects that every child and family has the right to privacy and remains steadfast in our commitment to that privacy for children and families in Utah,” the statement reads. DCFS law enforcement reports regarding our involvement in Frankie's case. However, in order to protect the integrity of essential working relationships with those we serve, and to respect the privacy of children and families, DCFS will continue its practices and refrain from sharing specific information about a case, past or present. Utah law requires anyone who has reason to believe that a child has been subjected to abuse, neglect, or dependency to report it to DCFS or a local law enforcement agency. The 24/7 abuse and neglect hotline is 855-323-3237.
What did Ruby's family say about her arrest?
Ruby's sisters condemned her actions in a joint statement on Instagram in August 2023. “For the past three years, we have remained silent on the subject of our sister Ruby, Frankie, for the sake of her children. Behind the scenes, we have done everything we can to try to make sure the children are safe. Ellie Meacham, Julie Griffith Dero and Bonnie Howlin books. “Robbie was arrested which should have happened. Jodi was arrested which should have happened. The children are now safe, that is the number one priority.”
Ruby Frankie, who used to record her little ones' big daily adventures on their YouTube channel '8 Passengers', was arrested. The YouTube personality, 41, was booked on Wednesday, August 30, in Springville, Utah, on two counts of child abuse. According to the Washington County Sheriff's Department website, she is currently in police custody. Frankie (…)
Where do Ruby's children stand now?
In August 2024, Chad recognized the anniversary of Ruby's arrest. He wrote on his Snapchat account: “Happy prisoner.”
As she recalls her childhood Good morning America In January 2025, Shari opened up about not wanting to resemble her mother in any way. “Sometimes, I see myself in the mirror and say, ‘Oh my God, I look like her’ or ‘I look like her,’ but I don’t want to be like her at all.” He said.
Shari claimed she didn't think her mother was able to “fully understand the guilt” in what she admitted. “I think she's as sorry as can be,” Shari said. “What she did is so bad that I don't think her mind allowed her to fully understand the guilt of it all. And so I think she probably really believed everything she said. I don't believe it though.”
Moving forward, Shari said she is trying to rebuild her relationship with her father and siblings. She indicated that she was suffering from the idea of tolerance.
“Forgiveness is something I've had to study a lot and kind of think about what it means,” she said. “But for me, forgiveness would look like not letting that consume every moment of my life and every thought. I'm just trying to move forward with my life and trust that things will work out the way they're supposed to.”
Where does Ruby stand with her ex-husband Kevin?
Kevin's lawyer Randy Kester He said today In a statement issued in September 2023, the pair were separated “at Robbie’s direction” for 13 months. He added, “Kevin didn't want to break up.”
“He wanted to work through the concerns as a family,” Kester said. “There was never any formal written decree of a separate maintenance or separation agreement. The separation was under terms prohibited by Robbie and Judy Hildebrandt.
Ruby and Kevin began marriage counseling in 2021 with Hildebrandt. Kester said the people That Hildebrandt suggested that the pair should be separated. He went on to file for divorce in November 2023.
Lifetime is working on a made-for-TV movie about Ruby Frankie after her child abuse conviction, although it is unauthorized. “Note about the Lifetime movie coming out about my family: I suddenly saw the trailer in class and had an anxiety attack,” the 42-year-old's eldest daughter, Shari, wrote via Instagram Story on Friday.
Where do Robbie's kids stand with their father, Kevin?
Shortly before Roby was sentenced in February 2024, Kester said in a statement to: Law and crime“The treatment these children received at the hands of those they had the right to trust was appalling and inhumane, both physically and psychologically. Kevin remains focused on rehabilitating these sweet and vulnerable children so that they can return to normal life as soon as possible.
“I am so proud of Shari for the woman she has become and for her strength,” Kevin told ABC News in a January 2025 statement. You have played and will continue to play a crucial role in our family's healing. I am grateful for her example and learn so much from her vulnerability and courage. She has a powerful voice and will make a positive impact in this world. I love my daughter.
Do Ruby's children advocate for change?
Shari addressed Utah lawmakers in October 2024 about the “dangers” of parents using their children online for financial gain.
“When children become stars of their family's online content, they become influencers for children,” she testified during a Utah Senate committee hearing, according to ABC News. “It's more than just photographing your family life and putting it online. It's a full-time job, with employees, business credit cards, managers and marketing strategies.
Shari called for greater restrictions on family vlogs, especially when children are too young to obtain consent. “There is no such thing as an ethical or moral family vlogger,” she said.
What did Frankie's family say about the movie of their lifetime?
Released for life My Mormon Mother Made a Mistake: The Story of Robbie Frankie In October 2024, Championship Emily Ollerup Like Ruby and Heather Locklear Like Hildebrandt.
Before the film's release, Shari issued a statement. “Note about the Lifetime movie my family released: I suddenly saw the trailer in class and had an anxiety attack,” she wrote via Instagram Story. “None of us have been contacted about the film.”
She continued: “This movie is garbage and does not hurt my brothers more.” None of the proceeds will go to the children. Please do not support this movie. Us Weekly I reached out to Lifetime at that time.
If you or someone you know is experiencing child abuse, call or text Child Help Hotline At 1-800-422-4453.
