Ruby Franke’s Son Chad Franke Says She Writes Him Letters From Prison

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Chad Franke is shedding light on his relationship with Ruby Franke.

It’s been almost two years since the news broke and my mom, the YouTuber everyone talks about, was sentenced for what she did. It’s still hard, but I wanted to share that she actually still tries to reach out to me, even from prison. It’s… complicated, to say the least.

Chad posted a TikTok on January 27th using audio from a classic Key & Peele sketch. The sketch, titled “The Saddest Sibling Rivalry of All Time,” features Jordan Peele‘s character yelling, “Shut up, mom! Silence from you! You’re cut off—from talking!”

The 20-year-old wrote on the screen, “Every time I get a letter from my mom in prison.”

In a separate recording using the same audio, Chad remembered when Ruby—along with her business partner, Jodi Hildebrandt, who both admitted guilt to four counts of aggravated child abuse—took his bed away for months in 2020 after he played a prank on his younger brother.

He jokingly threatened Ruby with the beanbag after she spoke up, posting a message saying if she ‘talked back’ again, she’d be relegated to it. He added a caption, playfully comparing the beanbag to a prison bunk.

The family’s punishment, announced on their now-closed YouTube channel, deeply upset their fans. It even sparked a petition on change.org, gathering over 18,000 signatures from people who wanted Child Protective Services to look into the situation.

In a 2020 YouTube video with his mom, Chad explained that he didn’t have a bedroom for seven months. He’d been sleeping on a beanbag since October, and only recently got his room back – about two weeks ago.

He confessed his prank involved waking his younger brother up at 2 AM, telling him they were going to Disneyland and to pack. His brother excitedly got up, made his bed, packed his clothes, and even went to the door, ready to leave!

Ruby, however, was unamused at Chad’s laughter as he told the story.

“Do you find this amusing?” she asked. “If you do, it happened seven months ago, and maybe you need some time to yourself.”

Three years after starting a life-coaching service through their ConneXions channel with Jodi, Ruby was arrested. This happened after one of her and her ex-husband, Kevin Franke’s, young sons escaped from Jodi’s home in Utah and went to a neighbor for help. Police reported the boy was severely malnourished and had injuries – his ankles and wrists were taped with duct tape.

In 2024, after receiving her prison sentence, Ruby tearfully apologized to her children, admitting she had lived with a flawed and unchallenged perception of reality.

Speaking directly to her children in court, she said, ‘You are a piece of my heart. I made terrible mistakes, confusing what was good and bad, and I would have done anything for you. I’ve taken away your innocence and security, and I’m deeply sorry.’

For a closer look at the case against Ruby and Jodi, keep reading.

Utah police responded to a report of a severely malnourished child. According to a press release, the child was found to be extremely thin, with visible wounds and duct tape on their arms and legs. They were immediately taken to the hospital in critical condition.

The boy was later identified as the 12-year-old son of YouTuber Ruby Franke, according to court documents obtained by NBC News. He escaped from the home of Ruby’s business partner, Jodi Hildebrant, by climbing out a window and then asked a neighbor for help, the documents state.

Officers searched a nearby house and found another child who was also severely malnourished. That child was also taken to the hospital, according to a police statement.

Investigators found Ruby’s nine-year-old daughter frozen with fear, alone in a closet at Jodi’s house, according to documents released by the Washington County Attorney’s Office.

Ruby was arrested in Utah on charges of child abuse. Jodi, who founded the life coaching business ConneXions in 2007, was also arrested. Former clients told NBC News they felt ConneXions operated like a cult, using teachings similar to those of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

On August 31st, TopMob said that Shari Franke, Ruby’s adult daughter who is separated from her, responded to the news on her Instagram Story.

Shari, born in 2003, expressed her family’s relief that justice is finally being served. She explained they had been trying to alert the police and Child Protective Services for years, and were happy authorities finally took action. While the children are now safe, Shari acknowledged there is still a lot of work to be done.

Ruby’s sisters—Ellie Mecham, Bonnie Hoellein, and Julie Deru—publicly stated that they believed the YouTuber’s arrest was necessary.

We’ve remained silent about Ruby Franke for the past three years to protect her children. We’ve been working behind the scenes to ensure their safety, and we feel it’s important to address the recent events before continuing with our regular content. After we do, we won’t be making any further statements on the matter.

The siblings said Ruby’s kids are “now safe, which is the number one priority.”

Ruby Franke, a former YouTuber known for her family channel 8 Passengers, and her business associate, Jodi Hildebrandt, have both been officially charged with six felony counts of child abuse in Utah.

I’m still reeling from everything, but apparently Ruby’s husband, Kevin Franke, is trying to distance himself from all the accusations. His lawyer, Randy Kester, went on Good Morning America and said they’d actually been separated for over a year – thirteen months, to be exact – before she was arrested. It’s just…so much to process. I can’t believe this was going on behind closed doors for so long!

The lawyer described him as a kind and gentle person, emphasizing that no one has ever accused him of physical abuse, either towards his children or anyone else.

Kevin has officially filed for divorce from the social media influencer based in Utah, as confirmed by a court document obtained by NBC News.

On December 18th, TopMob reported that Ruby had pleaded guilty to four charges. According to the Associated Press, she expressed her remorse, stating, “With my deepest regret and sorrow for my family and my children, guilty.”

Jodi would also plead guilty to four counts of second-degree felony aggravated child abuse.

Both women received four prison sentences, each ranging from one to fifteen years, to be served one after the other. However, the total time they will serve is limited to a maximum of 30 years, as dictated by Utah law.

The parent vlogger apologized during her sentencing to her six kids and estranged husband.

She told the court that for the last four years, she had been following advice that led her to believe things that weren’t true. She explained that she became increasingly out of touch with reality and avoided people who disagreed with her.

She went on to say, “My children, you are a piece of my heart. I once confused what was good and bad, right and wrong, all for you. I sacrificed my own peace of mind, my own goodness, everything comfortable and secure, for your sake.”

Prosecutors made public disturbing entries from her diary, detailing how she abused her children, including her 12-year-old son whom she referred to as “Satanic.”

She described her son, on his 12th birthday, as someone who secretly looks for chances to act when people aren’t paying attention, and then quickly moves on. She added that if he wants to be like a religious figure, he needs to be completely and precisely obedient, without any hesitation or deception.

She wrote about punishing her children by beating them and withholding food and water.

After Ruby’s arrest, prosecutors made public an audio recording of Kevin speaking with investigators. In the recording, he discussed limitations that he said were placed on him while they lived together.

Kevin described feeling controlled, explaining in an audio clip that while he was allowed to leave, he needed Ruby’s permission to return home. He wasn’t allowed to eat in the kitchen or go upstairs – where Jodi was – without her okay. Essentially, he felt he couldn’t freely move around in his own house, and Ruby controlled when and how he could interact with others. He said it was a very difficult situation.

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2026-01-29 17:48