Ruby Franke, once a prominent family YouTube vlogger of the vlog 8 Passengers, was sentenced to 30 years in a Utah prison for child abuse in February.
Shari Franke, the eldest daughter of Ruby Franke recently took to her Instagram to express her concerns about the ethical implications and potential harms of family vlogging, particularly from the perspective of children who are often the stars of this content.
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She emphasized that being a child influencer is not just a casual activity and the 'employees' are children who may not fully understand the consequences of their exposure.
She said:
“I don’t come today as the daughter of a felon, nor a victim of an abnormally abusive mother,”
Shari Franke clarified that her intention is not to focus on her background or victimhood, but rather to highlight the broader issue of child exploitation in the family vlogging industry. In her post, she criticized the culture surrounding family vlogging, particularly in Utah, where it is often intertwined with religious and cultural values.
She asserted that there is “never a good reason” to post children online for profit or fame, firmly rejecting any moral justification for family vlogging. Shari Franke reiterated that she aims to raise awareness about the serious issues related to child influencers and family vlogging, advocating for a reevaluation of these practices.
There is now a movie called Mormon Mom Gone Wrong: The Ruby Franke Story whose trailer was recently released. The movie intends to explore the events that led to Ruby Franke's arrest. After watching the trailer, Shari Franke shared that:
“I saw the trailer suddenly in class and had an anxiety attack. None of us were contacted about the movie. None of the proceeds are going to the kids. This movie is trash, and only hurts my siblings more. Please do not support this movie.”
What was Ruby Franke charged with?
Ruby Franke used to helm the vlog 8 Passengers on YouTube which showcased the lives of Ruby, her six charming children, and her devoted husband, offering viewers a glimpse into their daily routines and Ruby's parenting influenced by her LDS beliefs.
While many perceived Ruby Franke as the embodiment of a perfect family life, things took a dramatic turn with the arrival of her marriage counselor, Jodi Hildebrandt. Once Jodi moved in, things started spinning out of control in their house, and Ruby's husband was compelled to leave.
The situation escalated when Ruby Franke's 12-year-old son managed to escape, displaying clear signs of mistreatment. This shocking event exposed the harsh reality behind the facade of the seemingly idyllic family life.
In a press release that was shared by Santa Clara-Ivins Public Safety, it was mentioned that Rube Franke's child called for help, and the police received a report about them. The child looked very thin and unhealthy, with open wounds and duct tape on his arms and legs. He was also asking for food and water. Because the situation was so serious, the child was taken to the hospital for medical treatment.
According to the report, as the police learned more, they found out that there might be other children in the same bad condition living nearby. When officers reached Roby Franke's house, they found another child who was also malnourished and needed help.
The police then got a search warrant to look through the home. During the search, they found evidence that matched the injuries seen on the first child. Because of this, the Department of Child and Family Services worked with the police to remove four children from the home to keep them safe. Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt were arrested related to this situation.
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