The Franke family, once known for their popular YouTube channel "8 Passengers," has been at the center of controversy following the arrest of Ruby Franke on child abuse charges. This article explores the recent marriage of Chad Franke, Ruby's son, and revisits the events surrounding his mother's case.
Chad Franke's Marriage
Chad Franke, the 20-year-old son of Ruby Franke and her ex-husband Kevin Franke, married his fiancée Kam Anderson on October [date]. Chad first announced his engagement to Kam, 21, back in June, when he shared the video of him getting down on one knee with a gorgeous mountain vista in the background. After turning around to see the ring designed by Michael Arthur Diamonds, the esthetician put her hands over her mouth in shock and wrapped him in a warm hug. Alongside the adorable moment, Chad wrote in the caption of his June 15 Instagram, "Best day I've ever had.
Following the sweet announcement, the Frankes' eldest son received an outpouring of support from his inner circle.
Ruby Franke's Sentencing and Apology
While Ruby Franke may have missed her son's wedding, she previously expressed wanting nothing but the best for him during a court hearing to receive her sentence in 2024. "To my babies, you are a part of me. I believed dark was light and right was wrong," she said at the time.
8 PASSENGERS: The Dark Story Behind YouTube's Worst Family Channel.
Read also: The Life of Chad Everett Harris
The Downfall of "8 Passengers"
Ruby Franke (née Griffiths; born January 18, 1982) is an American former family vlogger and convicted child abuser who ran the now defunct YouTube channel 8 Passengers. The Frankes' YouTube channel had documented a wholesome, happy family life for years, with nearly 3 million subscribers tuning in at its peak. But happy families are rarely what they seem.
On August 30, 2023, Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt were arrested in Washington County, Utah, and charged with six counts of felony aggravated child abuse of two of Franke's children.
Legal Proceedings and Guilty Plea
On December 18, 2023, Franke pleaded guilty to four counts of aggravated child abuse. She later pleaded not guilty to two other counts. The factual basis mentioned an incident of Franke forcing her son to work outdoors over several weeks with inadequate protection, resulting in severe sunburns, and claims that the children were possessed.
Franke agreed to serve a prison sentence and to serve her respective sentences consecutively rather than concurrently. On February 20, 2024, Franke received four consecutive sentences of between one and fifteen years' imprisonment, meaning she must serve a minimum term of four years. Although the maximum term that could be imposed for all sentences would be 60 years, the Utah Code dictates that the time served by a defendant upon whom consecutive sentences are imposed must not exceed 30 years, except in circumstances of life imprisonment or the death penalty.
| Name | Role | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Ruby Franke | Former YouTube Vlogger | Convicted of child abuse, sentenced to 4-30 years in prison. |
| Jodi Hildebrandt | Business Partner | Also convicted of child abuse, sentenced similarly to Franke. |
| Kevin Franke | Ex-Husband | Divorced Ruby Franke amidst the scandal. |
| Chad Franke | Son | Recently married, spoke about his experiences growing up on YouTube. |
Aftermath and Media Coverage
The story of Ruby Franke has garnered significant media attention, leading to various documentaries and adaptations. When popular vlogger Ruby Franke is arrested for child abuse in August 2023, it quickly becomes one of the biggest trending stories in America. As the cracks began to show, the family turned to counselor Jodi Hildebrandt for guidance - and rapidly found themselves trapped in a nightmare. Only the Frankes know what went on inside their home. This series marks the first time Shari and Chad, the Frankes’ two eldest children, and Kevin, Ruby’s husband, will share their story in depth on camera.
Read also: "Married to Evil": Chad Graves
In January 2025, former Connexions Classroom client's husband Michael Tilleman filed a lawsuit in federal court against Hildebrandt and Franke for business fraud and promoting a "methodology that encouraged child abuse among their clients".
Other Recent Celebrity Marriages
Here are some other celebrity couples who have recently tied the knot:
- Tom Green & Amanda Nelson
- Markiplier & Amy Nelson
- Danielle Campbell & Colin Woodell
- Cierra Ramirez & OTHRSYDE
- Aaron Tveit & Ericka Hunter Yang
- Eric Stonestreet & Lindsay Schweitzer
- Shannon Nelson & Brendan Hunt
- Natasha Bure & Bradley Steven Perry
- Saoirse-Monica Jackson & Denis Sulta
- Logan Paul & Nina Agdal
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