Shari Franke, the eldest daughter of former YouTuber Ruby Franke, has publicly accused her mother of child abuse, shedding light on her tumultuous upbringing. Ruby Franke, a once-popular family vlogger known for her parenting advice, was arrested in August 2023 after her 12-year-old son managed to escape from the home of Jodi Hildebrandt, who had been a mentor to the family. Shari Franke has since written a memoir titled "The House of My Mother: A Daughter's Quest for Freedom," detailing her experiences and advocating for change.
In her memoir, Shari Franke recounts the physical abuse she endured at the hands of her mother when she was just 5 or 6 years old. Despite reaching out to authorities multiple times before Ruby Franke's arrest, Shari claims her cries for help went unheard until her brother's escape. Her experiences have fueled her mission to protect other children from similar fates. This includes testifying before a Utah Senate committee and raising awareness about the potential dangers of children becoming stars in their family's online content.
Ruby Franke gained fame by sharing her family life from Utah on YouTube, portraying an image of an ideal family while offering parenting advice. However, behind the scenes, Shari alleges that the reality was vastly different. Ruby Franke's arrest and subsequent guilty plea to four counts of child abuse in 2023 against two of her children have brought the private struggles of the Franke family into the public eye. Shari believes that her mother cannot fully comprehend the guilt of her actions, stating:
"What she has done is so bad that I don't think her mind allows her to kind of fully comprehend the guilt of all that. And so I think that she probably genuinely believed everything she said. I don't believe it though." – Shari Franke
Jodi Hildebrandt, employed as a counselor for one of Ruby Franke's children, later became a mentor to the family. Her involvement intensified tensions within the household, resulting in Kevin Franke, Shari's father, moving out after Hildebrandt moved in. Both Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt eventually pleaded guilty to child abuse charges. Reflecting on her choices and the path she took, Ruby Franke expressed remorse:
"For the past four years, I've chosen to follow counsel and guidance that has led me into a dark delusion." – Ruby Franke
"My distorted version of reality went largely unchecked as I would isolate from anyone who challenged me." – Ruby Franke
Despite the darkness that overshadowed her early life, Shari Franke has emerged as a powerful advocate. She continues to speak out against child exploitation, particularly in the realm of family vlogging. She asserts:
"There is no such thing as a moral or ethical family vlogger." – Shari Franke
Her advocacy extends to understanding forgiveness and moving forward with her life. She explains:
"Forgiveness is something I've had to study a lot and kind of think about what it means." – Shari Franke
"But for me, forgiveness would look like not letting that consume every moment of my life and all of my thoughts. I am just trying to move on with my life and trust that things are gonna work out the way they're supposed to." – Shari Franke
The Utah Division of Child and Family Services (DCFS) plays a critical role in safeguarding vulnerable children and families. Despite multiple reports from Shari, it was only after her brother's daring escape that authorities intervened. The case has sparked discussions on how to better protect children and ensure their voices are heard.
Kevin Franke has publicly supported his daughter's journey towards healing and advocacy. He expresses immense pride in her resilience and influence:
"I am incredibly proud of Shari for the woman she has become and for her strength. She has played and will continue to play a crucial role in the healing of our family." – Kevin Franke
"I am grateful for her example and learn a lot from her vulnerability and courage. She has a powerful voice and will make a positive impact in this world. I love my daughter." – Kevin Franke
Ruby Franke, in contrast, acknowledged her mistakes and expressed a desire to accept responsibility without blaming others:
"It is important to me to demonstrate my remorse and regret without blame. I take full accountability for my choices, and it is my preference that I serve a prison sentence." – Ruby Franke
As Shari continues to process her past and advocate for others, she reflects on her newfound independence:
"Probably tell her I'm happy without you. I was scared of her for so long, and I am here without her approval, and I am just fine." – Shari Franke
