A documentary series titled "The Devil In The Family: The Fall Of Ruby Franke" is examining the rise and fall of Ruby Franke, a former family vlogger who was convicted of child abuse. The series reportedly uses previously unreleased footage filmed by Franke and her husband, Kevin Franke, to reveal a darker side to their carefully curated online persona.
Franke, a mother of six from Springville, Utah, gained a significant following on YouTube, with her channel peaking at 2.5 million followers and over a billion video views. Her content often depicted a seemingly idyllic family life within the Mormon community. However, as her older children, Chad and Shari, reached their teenage years, the strain of constant public display became evident, leading to rebellion, particularly from Chad.
The documentary details how Franke and therapist Jodi Hildebrandt implemented a severe disciplinary regime. Chad was allegedly threatened with military school and banned from his bedroom for seven months, forced to sleep in a basement. The facade began to crumble when Franke inadvertently revealed harsh disciplinary tactics on camera, sparking online backlash.
The first episode of the series depicts the police raid on the Franke home. Neighbors reportedly alerted authorities after one of the Franke children escaped through a window, appearing malnourished and scarred. Both neighbors and Franke's children, Chad and Shari, are said to be featured in the documentary.
Ruby Franke was sentenced to up to 30 years in prison for child abuse. The documentary also includes interviews with her husband, Kevin Franke, who reportedly stated he was unaware of the extent of his wife's mistreatment of their children, despite sometimes appearing to hold the camera in released videos. He has not been charged.
The series highlights the contrast between Franke's public image, characterized by a forced smile, and the alleged cruelty she inflicted privately. Reviewers note that Franke herself documented much of the evidence that contributed to her downfall.