Shari Franke, the eldest daughter of Ruby Franke, is bravely opening up about a painful chapter in her life. After her mother was convicted of child abuse, Shari released a memoir titled “The House of My Mother,” which reveals the intense struggles her family faced and her complicated feelings towards forgiveness. This heartfelt discussion took place during a recent interview on ‘Good Morning America,’ and is sure to resonate with many.
What Happened to Ruby Franke?
Ruby Franke, a former family vlogger known for her YouTube channel “8 Passengers,” gained millions of followers for showcasing her family’s life. However, everything changed when authorities discovered troubling signs of abuse. In August 2023, police arrested Ruby and her business partner, Jodi Hildebrandt, after a 12-year-old son escaped and sought help, revealing horrific conditions at home.
- Ruby Franke is currently serving a four to sixty-year prison sentence.
- Her channel had peaked at more than 2.5 million subscribers before the scandal.
- Prosecutors described Ruby’s home as a “concentration camp-like setting.”
A Daughter’s Journey
In her memoir, Shari details the physical and psychological abuse she and her siblings experienced. She describes how her mother’s actions escalated, especially after collaborating with Jodi Hildebrandt. Despite all the pain, Shari mentions the possibility of forgiveness, stating that it might take her mother a long time to truly understand her guilt.
Shari Franke’s Call for Change
Shari has become an outspoken advocate for child welfare, speaking out against family vlogging, which she claims caused her childhood to be taken away from her. During her testimony before the Utah Senate, she called for better laws to protect children in the vlogging industry. She highlighted how her mother’s fame through vlogging could have dire consequences for young influencers.
The Impact of the Case
This situation has sparked discussions about the ethics of family influencers and the safety of children in this space. Shari is one of many who are pushing for reforms to ensure children are safe and not used as props for adult fame. Her advocacy aims to reshape how society thinks about and regulates family content online.
Upcoming Docuseries on Ruby Franke
In addition to her memoir, Hulu is set to release a docuseries titled “Devil In The Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke” on February 27, 2024. The three-part series will delve deep into Ruby’s life and the events leading to her arrest. It promises to include unheard interviews and exclusive footage from their family’s YouTube channel, offering viewers a closer look at the highs and lows of the Franke family.
- The docuseries will feature interviews with Ruby’s adult children.
- It aims to examine the challenges faced by influencers and how fame impacted their family life.
Rebuilding Family Relationships
Even amidst all the controversy, Shari is focused on rebuilding relationships with her siblings and father. Although the road to healing is long, her resilience and courage to speak out show that there is light at the end of the tunnel for both her and her family.
Important Conversations Ahead
The story of Ruby Franke and her family is one that raises many important questions about the influence of social media, the responsibilities of parents, and the safety of children online. As Shari continues to share her journey, the hope is that it sparks meaningful conversations and leads to real changes in how we think about child influencers and the support they need.