Ruby Franke’s eldest daughter Shari says ‘the holidays are full of mixed emotions’ as her aunt vows to help her ‘make new memories’ as YouTube mom faces 60 years in prison after pleading guilty to starving and torturing her children
Ruby Franke's eldest daughter has revealed her heartbreak over the holidays, saying the festive period is full of “mixed emotions” as she anxiously awaits the outcome of her mother's conviction for child abuse.
Shari Franke, 20, shared an adorable throwback photo of herself as a little girl posing in front of a Christmas tree.
But as the world now knows, the picture-perfect scene belied a family life filled with heartache at the hands of her disgraced YouTuber mother, who last week pleaded guilty to four felony counts of child abuse.
'The holidays are full of mixed emotions for me. “I am so grateful for all the memories I have to hold on to (like the one pictured above), and I also look forward to the memories I know I can create,” Shari wrote.
And in a touching show of support, her aunt Julie Griffiths Deru – Franker's sister – promised to help her 'keep making new memories'.
Shari Franke, 20, revealed her struggles over the holidays as she reflects on her abusive childhood at the hands of YouTuber mother Ruby Franke, who is awaiting sentencing for child abuse
Shari shared a throwback snap explaining her complex feelings this time of year, saying she's “looking forward to the memories I know I can create.”
Her post on Instagram received support from her aunt and Franke's sister Julie Deru, who offered to help her make new memories
The mommy vlogger's spectacular downfall began after one of her children escaped from the family's home in Utah and called for help from a neighbor, who immediately noticed he was covered in wounds and malnourished.
Deru acknowledged that their “traditions may be different now,” but offered to stand by her side.
The family's life was turned upside down after the full extent of Franke's child neglect and abuse was revealed when one of her children fled to a neighbor in search of sanctuary.
The shamed Mormon mother reached a settlement four months after her malnourished children were found in the Utah home of her business partner, Jodi Hildebrandt. She currently faces a prison sentence of up to 60 years.
The business partners were arrested earlier this year after one of Franke's six children escaped from the Ivins home and ran to a neighbor's house, where he knocked on the door and asked for food and water.
Her conviction made headlines worldwide, thanks to Franke's carefully constructed persona as a parenting expert on her YouTube channel, 8 Passengers.
But her family collapsed after the horrific allegations against her, including that she starved her children and tied them up with rope and duct tape, were proven to be true.
Franke, 45, was taken into custody after two of her children, ages 10 and 12, were found starving with open wounds and duct tape on their “extremities.”
The young boy who escaped told prosecutors that his mother and Hildebrandt would also dress their wounds with honey and cayenne pepper, both of which were found in the home after a search.
Franke pleaded guilty to four counts of child abuse and is currently awaiting sentencing that could see her sentenced to up to 60 years in prison.
Ruby Franke, (left) who ran the now defunct Channel 8 Passengers, was arrested on August 30 along with her business partner Jodi Hildebrandt (right).
Allegations against Franke and her business partner included that she tied her children with rope and duct tape and bandaged their wounds with honey and cayenne pepper.
Police were called after a child climbed out of the window of Hildebrandt's home and ran to a neighbor, begging for food and water.
The neighbor saw the child's wounds and immediately called 911, before another child was also found “in a similar physical state of malnutrition.”
Shari, who was also abused, had managed to escape from the house of horrors years ago. She had distanced herself from her father and mother Kevin and revealed that she had been trying to alert authorities to the situation for 'years'.
She said her life was “turned upside down” after news of her estranged mother's arrest broke.
At the time, she posted on Instagram about her mother's arrest and shared a photo of police officers outside the house with the caption, “Finally.”
But just two days later, Shari faced even more controversy after her father called the police to report her for allegedly stealing computer drives.
A statement from Franke's sisters said they “remained silent on the subject of our sister… for the sake of her children.” Pictured: Julie Griffiths Deru
Franke's sisters Bonnie Hoellein (left) and Ellie Mecham (right) are also YouTubers. They have since distanced themselves from their sibling
The family blew up on social media after they started posting videos in 2015, although Franke's tough parenting style often drew criticism
The couple's home in Springville, Utah, was the scene of years of child abuse, from which Shari managed to flee as a teenager
Her father subsequently initiated divorce proceedings against his wife in the wake of the allegations, citing differences in parenting styles.
The couple shares six children together: Shari, Chad, Abby, Julie, Russell and Eve.
During the trial, Franke tried to shift the blame to her business partner, 54, and insisted she was manipulated by Hildebrandt, who was also charged earlier this year.
Franke also made shocking claims that one of her minor children had sexually abused their sibling and abused several other family members and children in the neighborhood over the years.
The allegations have increased anticipation for Hildebrant's next trial, which will take place in a few days.
Franke's three sisters, including Deru, have since come out of the closet and distanced themselves from their sibling.
Ellie Mecham, Bonnie Hoellein and Deru said they remained silent about the abuse amid concerns “for her sake.” [Franke’s] children].
Franke's strict parenting style has faced repeated backlash since she started the channel in 2015.
Viewers called child protective services in 2020 after their son Chad, 15, claimed he had been sleeping on a beanbag for seven months.
Franke also threatened to throw away her children's belongings if they didn't pay her cash for them, claiming it was a lesson in understanding the value of their things.