The fall of Ruby Franke stunned the United States and raised urgent questions that still linger today. Viewers once knew her through the 8 Passengers YouTube channel, not court documents and police reports. After the August 2023 arrest, attention quickly shifted from Ruby herself to her children and to ruby franke husband, Kevin Franke.
Where did they go once the cameras stopped rolling? How did custody, divorce, and healing unfold behind closed doors? This story follows the real timeline, grounded in verified facts, not rumor. It explains where the kids are now, what Kevin Franke’s life looks like today, and why this case reshaped how Americans view family vlogging forever.
Ruby Franke Bio
| Fact Category | Verified Facts and Figures |
| Main Topic | Where Are Ruby Franke’s Kids and Ex-Husband Now |
| YouTube Channel | 8 Passengers |
| Location | Springville, Utah |
| Number of Children | Six children |
| Youngest Children | Four youngest children were minors |
| Arrest Date | August 2023 arrest |
| Charges | Ruby Franke charged in child abuse criminal case |
| Influencer Associate | Jodi Hildebrandt |
| Ex-Husband | Kevin Franke |
| Criminal Status of Ex-Husband | Not charged |
| Divorce Filed | November 2023 |
| Divorce Finalized | March 2025 |
| Custody Outcome | Kevin Franke granted full custody of four youngest children |
| Remarriage | Kevin Franke remarried Becca Bevan |
| Engagement Date | October |
| Wedding Date | December 21 |
| Profession | Kevin Franke was a BYU engineering professor |
| Advocacy | Child welfare reform |
| Legislative Involvement | Utah lawmakers, Child Welfare Legislative Oversight Panel |
| Eldest Child | Shari Franke |
| Memoir Title | The House of My Mother: A Daughter’s Quest for Freedom |
| Son | Chad Franke |
| Chad Franke Milestone | Married in 2025 |
| Current Status of Children | Living privately and out of public view |
Who Is Ruby Franke and Why Her Family’s Story Shocked America
Ruby Franke rose to fame as a strict but smiling mother on the 8 Passengers YouTube channel, which documented daily life with her six children in Springville, Utah. Millions watched her parenting style, often praising discipline while others raised concerns. Over time, those concerns grew louder, especially after Ruby aligned herself with Jodi Hildebrandt, a controversial counselor whose influence became central to the eventual abuse case.
The illusion shattered when authorities intervened in 2023. Two of the four youngest children, still minors, were found in a deeply vulnerable state, leading to Ruby’s arrest. The case exposed how unchecked family vlogging can blur boundaries, turning private pain into public content. For many Americans, this moment marked a reckoning with influencer culture and the cost paid by children who never chose the camera.
Where Is Ruby Franke’s Ex-Husband Kevin Franke Now?
Kevin Franke, Ruby’s ex-husband, spent years largely silent while criticism mounted. A former BYU professor and engineering professor at Brigham Young University, Kevin’s public image had been closely tied to the channel. After the separation, however, he stepped forward to clarify his position and his role as a father. The divorce filed in November 2023 became official in March 2025, marking the legal end of a marriage that had already fractured emotionally.
Since the divorce was finalized, Kevin Franke has focused on rebuilding trust with his children. Court records indicate he sought full custody of the four youngest children, emphasizing stability and privacy. He later found personal happiness again and was remarried after an October engagement, culminating in a December 21 wedding to Becca Bevan (new wife). Those close to him describe the relationship as a quiet love story, grounded in growth rather than publicity, and a reminder that life can move forward after devastation.
Kevin Franke advocated for child welfare reform
Beyond family life, Kevin Franke redirected his energy toward child welfare reform, a move that surprised many critics. He has spoken before Utah lawmakers and participated in discussions with the Child Welfare Legislative Oversight Panel, calling for stronger legislation to protect minors involved in online content. Drawing from painful experience, he has argued that children need safeguards long before harm occurs, not after.
This advocacy has reframed Kevin’s public role. Once seen only as Ruby Franke’s husband, he now presents himself as a parent pushing for accountability. His message centers on prevention, urging platforms, parents, and policymakers to recognize how easily control can slip into harm when fame and authority go unchecked.
Where Are Ruby Franke’s Kids Today?
The most important question remains the simplest one: how are the children doing now? According to court updates and family statements, the four youngest children, all still minors, live away from Ruby Franke under protective arrangements. The older siblings, including Shari Franke and Chad Franke, maintain independence while supporting their younger brothers and sisters.
Privacy now defines their lives. After years of constant filming, the children’s routines no longer revolve around a camera or an audience. Therapists involved in the case have emphasized that distance from family vlogging allows real recovery to begin, especially for children who grew up equating obedience with love.
Ruby’s children are “light-years better”
Multiple sources close to the family say Ruby’s children are “light-years better” than they were at the height of the crisis. That phrase reflects more than physical safety. It points to emotional stability, schooling without scrutiny, and relationships rebuilt slowly, without pressure. Healing, in this case, looks quiet and ordinary, which is exactly what professionals recommend.
The contrast between their former online life and their current reality could not be sharper. Where once every moment fed an algorithm, now progress happens off-screen. For many Americans watching from afar, this change offers hope that recovery is possible, even after profound harm.
Shari Franke’s Life After Ruby Franke
Shari Franke, the eldest child, emerged as one of the clearest voices following the scandal. Long before the August 2023 arrest, she had distanced herself from Ruby, choosing education and independence. Her willingness to speak openly helped contextualize the family’s dynamics and challenged the polished image viewers once believed.
Now an adult, Shari focuses on advocacy and storytelling rather than reconciliation. She has described the experience of growing up online as emotionally complex, especially when discipline and belief systems overshadowed empathy. Her story resonates with others raised in influencer households who struggled behind the scenes.
Shari Franke wrote about Ruby in her book
Writing became Shari’s way of reclaiming control. In candid passages, she examined her relationship with Ruby Franke, exploring love, fear, and loss without sensationalism. The process allowed her to step out of the role assigned to her on camera and speak as herself.
The House of My Mother: A Daughter’s Quest for Freedom
In The House of My Mother: A Daughter’s Quest for Freedom, Shari details life inside a household shaped by authority and public performance. The book has found a wide U.S. audience because it connects personal pain to broader cultural questions. Readers see how a child’s voice can disappear when family life becomes content.
Shari says vlogging “ruined my innocence”
One of Shari’s most quoted lines is that vlogging “ruined my innocence.” The statement cuts to the core of influencer culture. Childhood, once lost, cannot be edited back in. Her honesty has fueled calls for reform and reinforced why child welfare reform matters beyond this single family.
What Happened to Chad Franke?
Chad Franke experienced public discipline and private consequences long before the case exploded. After leaving the family home, he worked to rebuild independence and trust. His journey illustrates how young adults raised in rigid systems often need space to redefine themselves.
Son Chad Franke also married in 2025
In a hopeful turn, son Chad Franke also married in 2025, signaling stability and a future shaped by choice rather than control. Those close to him describe a happy chapter marked by mutual respect and emotional growth. His marriage stands as quiet proof that life after trauma can still include joy.
Public Reaction and Cultural Impact in the U.S.
The Ruby Franke case reshaped how Americans view momfluencer culture and family vlogging. It exposed gaps in oversight and sparked discussions about who protects children when parents become brands. Lawmakers now face pressure to act, not just react.
Below is a brief overview of key moments that continue to influence public conversation:
| Date | Event | Impact |
| August 2023 arrest | Ruby Franke taken into custody | National attention on child abuse |
| November 2023 (divorce filed) | Kevin Franke initiates legal separation | Custody focus shifts |
| March 2025 (divorce finalized) | Marriage officially ends | Path forward clarified |
| December 21 wedding | Kevin Franke remarries | Personal healing milestone |
Conclusion
So, where are Ruby Franke’s kids and ex-husband now? They are rebuilding, quietly and deliberately. Kevin Franke, now divorced and remarried, balances fatherhood with advocacy. The children, especially the four youngest children, focus on safety and normalcy. Shari Franke and Chad Franke continue shaping adult lives defined by honesty rather than performance.
This story no longer belongs to algorithms or outrage cycles. It belongs to healing, accountability, and the hope that lessons learned will protect other families before harm occurs.
FAQs
Did Kevin Franke get divorced and receive custody?
Kevin Franke filed for divorce in November 2023, received full custody of the four youngest children, and was not charged in the criminal case.
Where are Ruby Franke’s kids now?
The children live out of public view under court protection, with the four youngest minors placed in safe custody arrangements focused on recovery, privacy, and long-term healing.
Did Kevin Franke remarry?
Yes, Kevin Franke remarried Becca Bevan after an October engagement, with the couple holding a private December 21 wedding following the March 2025 divorce finalization.
What happened during the August 2023 arrest?
Ruby Franke was arrested in August 2023 after authorities discovered evidence of child abuse involving two minors, leading to a criminal case and removal of children.
Did Kevin Franke advocate for child welfare reform?
Kevin Franke later advocated for child welfare reform, speaking with Utah lawmakers and the Child Welfare Legislative Oversight Panel about protections for children in online family content.
What is Shari Franke’s book about?
Shari Franke’s book, The House of My Mother, describes her upbringing, the impact of family vlogging, and her personal journey toward independence and emotional healing.
Alan Abel is a naming specialist and author at BoldlyNames, with over five years of experience in name research and selection. He helps readers choose meaningful, culturally aware, and well-suited names for people, brands, and projects. Alan’s work combines practical insight, linguistic understanding, and real-world naming trends to deliver clear, reliable guidance readers can trust.