The Shocking Truth About Jodi Hildebrandt and Ruby Franke

Jodi Hildebrandt was Ruby Franke’s business partner and appeared often on the 8 Passengers YouTube channel. She acted like she was helping the children, but behind the scenes, she was abusing them. In 2022, Hildebrandt pleaded guilty to four counts of aggravated child abuse.

In February 2024, she was sentenced to four consecutive terms of one to 15 years in prison. She is now in the Utah State Correctional Facility in Salt Lake City. Her first parole hearing is scheduled for December 2026. Hildebrandt’s coaching business, ConneXions, is no longer running, and its Instagram has not posted anything since 2023.

Jodi Hildebrandt’s Hidden Role

The documentary begins with a shocking scene: security camera footage shows a scared boy asking a neighbor for food, water, and help to get to the police. The neighbor notices wounds on the boy’s wrists and ankles and sees that he is extremely thin. It quickly becomes clear that this child has been through serious abuse.

The 12-year-old boy had escaped from the home of Jodi Hildebrandt, where he and his 9-year-old sister were being held captive. He is the son of Ruby Franke, an internet influencer known for sharing strict parenting tips on her YouTube channel 8 Passengers with her then-husband Kevin Franke.

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The channel had millions of viewers, showing the family’s life online, but hiding the terrible reality behind the scenes. Documentary filmmaker Borgman says, “If that young boy hadn’t escaped that day, I don’t think those children would be with us today.”

Arrests and Media Focus

After the boy’s escape, both Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt were arrested. However, most of the media attention focused on Ruby Franke. Borgman explains, “The story was all about Ruby Franke, over and over.” As Borgman researched for the documentary, she realized that Hildebrandt was actually at the center of the abuse.

She says, “The boy escaped from Hildebrandt’s house, not his mother’s. That small detail is really important. It’s the most shocking part of the story.” This escape saved the children’s lives and revealed years of hidden abuse.

Hidden Problems Behind Social Media

The documentary shows that abuse can happen even when people are watching. Borgman explains, “Manipulative and controlling behavior can happen right in front of your eyes. Just because it’s visible doesn’t mean people notice it.” The story shows how social media can hide real problems, even when a family appears perfect online.

Ruby Franke Pleads Guilty

Ruby Franke also pleaded guilty and received a similar sentence. She is serving time at the same prison but in a different wing from Hildebrandt. Her first parole hearing is also set for December 2026. In prison audio recordings, Borgman notes that Franke seems to be distancing herself from Hildebrandt, showing that their relationship has changed since their arrests.

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Why the Documentary Matters

The documentary is more than a story about abuse. It shows that harm can be hidden even in public view. Borgman stresses that understanding manipulative behavior and controlling relationships is important to prevent similar cases in the future.

The boy’s escape shows the importance of courage and intervention. His actions saved his life and his sister’s life, and exposed the truth behind a family that seemed normal online.

This story is a reminder that appearances can be deceiving. The documentary encourages people to pay attention, take warning signs seriously, and act to protect children who cannot protect themselves.