The shocking transformation of Ruby Franke, a former YouTube vlogger known for her family-centric content, is the subject of the new docuseries "Devil in the Family." Premiering on February 27, 2024, the three-part series, directed by Olly Lambert and produced by Passion Pictures, delves into the disturbing case of Franke, who was arrested for child abuse in August 2023.
Initially celebrated as a "mom-fluencer," Franke's life took a harrowing turn when she pleaded guilty to aggravated child abuse of two of her children in February 2024. The docuseries explores how she and her former business partner, Jodi Hildebrandt—a therapist and life coach—became embroiled in legal turmoil that led to both women pleading guilty to four counts of child abuse in December 2023. Consequently, they were sentenced to four consecutive terms of one to 15 years in jail.
The docuseries features unreleased footage from the Franke family's YouTube channel, "8 Passengers," and includes interviews with Franke's estranged husband, Kevin Franke, and their eldest children, Chad and Shari. Kevin Franke filed for divorce from Ruby in November 2023, citing the impact of the scandal on their family as a driving factor.
In his poignant interviews, Kevin Franke highlights the dangers of sharing personal lives on social media and the consequences that can ensue. He states,
"I want people to know that there is real danger when you place yourself or your family, your children out onto public social media. There are real consequences associated with that."
He further warns viewers about the potential pitfalls of idolizing social media personalities:
"And I want people to know to be just careful with who they choose to follow, with who they choose to put on a pedestal and to put their faith in, to put their trust in, because if you put your trust in the wrong person, it can have massive consequences in your life."
"Devil in the Family" not only chronicles the rise and fall of the Franke family but also serves as a cautionary tale about the influence of social media on family dynamics. The series is now available for streaming on Hulu and can be accessed via Hulu on Disney+ for Bundle subscribers.
