The Ruby Franke case continues to unfold, leaving the public captivated and demanding answers. In a strange turn of events, the former Springville, Utah home of the Franke family, known for their YouTube channel “8 Passengers,” has been found with its front door taped up, indicating a possible break-in. This incident adds another layer of complexity to an already perplexing situation.
Kevin Franke Returns to a Damaged Home
After spending over a year away at the behest of his wife, Ruby Franke, Kevin Franke has returned to find their family home in Springville in a state of disrepair. The most noticeable damage is the front door, which is currently covered in tape, suggesting forced entry.
Randy Kester, Kevin Franke’s attorney, confirmed the situation, stating that someone had indeed broken the door. However, the identity of the perpetrator and their motives remain unknown. Kester mentioned that family members have had access to the house, but he doubts they would resort to such measures.
The Role of Jody Hildebrandt: Did She Drive a Wedge Between Ruby and Kevin Franke?
Kester shed light on the dynamics that led to Kevin Franke’s year-long absence from the family home. He revealed that the decision for Kevin to move out stemmed from alleged issues within the marriage, fueled by Ruby Franke and her business partner, Jody Hildebrandt.
According to Kester, Ruby, potentially influenced by Hildebrandt, believed that a separation was necessary to salvage their marriage. This separation involved Kevin having minimal contact with both Ruby and their children.
Kester expressed his personal opinion, alleging that Hildebrandt played a significant role in exacerbating the family’s problems. He believes Hildebrandt’s involvement pushed the family towards a path of separation and ultimately contributed to the current situation.
The “8 Passengers” YouTube Channel and its Impact
The Franke family rose to fame through their YouTube channel, “8 Passengers,” where they documented their lives to an audience of over 2 million subscribers. However, the channel has since been taken down.
Whether the family’s online exposure played a part in their internal struggles remains unclear. Kester stated that Kevin Franke hasn’t made a direct correlation between the two.
Ruby Franke and Jody Hildebrandt: A Partnership That Raised Concerns
Following the closure of “8 Passengers,” Ruby Franke, in collaboration with Jody Hildebrandt, launched a new venture called “ConneXions.” This organization focused on personal development advice, often delivered through podcasts and online courses.
Kester, however, expressed concerns about Hildebrandt’s influence on Ruby and the family as a whole. He questioned the methods and advice given by Hildebrandt, particularly her insistence on separating Kevin from the family as a means of resolving their problems. He believes this approach ultimately proved detrimental to the family’s well-being.
The Shocking Child Abuse Arrest and Its Aftermath
The Franke family’s life took a drastic turn when Ruby Franke and Jody Hildebrandt were arrested in Ivins, Utah, on charges of aggravated child abuse. The arrest followed a harrowing incident where Franke’s 12-year-old son escaped from Hildebrandt’s home, seeking help from a neighbor. The child was visibly malnourished and bore signs of physical abuse.
This event led authorities to discover another Franke child in a similar condition at Hildebrandt’s residence. Both children were hospitalized, and four of the Franke children were subsequently placed in the custody of the Division of Child and Family Services.
Kevin Franke’s Fight to Regain Custody
Disturbingly, Kevin Franke had been unaware of his children’s whereabouts and condition for over a year, as he had been adhering to the separation guidelines allegedly imposed by Ruby and Hildebrandt. Upon learning about the situation, he immediately traveled to Ivins and cooperated with law enforcement.
Since then, Kevin Franke has been diligently working to regain custody of his children. He maintains that he was following the advice of who he believed to be a competent mental health professional – Jody Hildebrandt – and was unaware of the alleged abuse happening within his own family.
The Investigation Continues: Seeking Answers in the Ruby Franke Case
As the Ruby Franke case progresses, law enforcement continues to uncover more information. The recent discovery of the damaged front door at the former Franke family home adds yet another puzzling element to this already convoluted case.
The identity of the individual(s) responsible for the damage and their motives remain unknown. It’s unclear if the incident is connected to the ongoing child abuse investigation or if it’s an isolated event.
Meanwhile, the neighborhood where the Franke family once resided remains tight-lipped. Many residents decline to speak about the family, and those who do express a sense of being overwhelmed by the media attention the case has attracted.
With Ruby Franke and Jody Hildebrandt currently held without bail, their next court appearance is scheduled for after October 5th. This hearing, postponed from its original date due to the substantial amount of evidence being processed, is expected to shed more light on the case and the future of the Franke children.
