Ruby Franke's fall from grace sent shockwaves through the millions who faithfully followed her family-centric "8 Passengers" YouTube channel. The discovery of one of her six children, emaciated, covered in sores, and bound with duct tape, in Santa Clara, Utah, raised alarm bells and ended her career as a YouTube influencer.

 

Franke had always portrayed a picture-perfect life. "The Mormon mom appeared as if she led a loving, nurturing family life with a husband and a big brood of children," said a longtime viewer. However, that façade crumbled when alarming details emerged about her association with the controversial therapist, Jodi Hildebrandt, 54.

 

 According to sources close to Franke, her demeanor began to shift after she started her association with Hildebrandt. A friend of Franke for over two decades revealed to Page Six, "Ruby’s values took a drastic turn. Suddenly, she was telling lies and becoming increasingly distant, cutting off her family with seemingly no explanation."

 

 Jodi Hildebrandt was well-known in Santa Clara as a licensed therapist through her organization, ConneXions. This institution pitched itself as an online educational platform designed to help individuals navigate relationship challenges, anxiety, and more. However, beneath this respectable exterior, darker currents flowed. Hildebrandt and Franke’s close relationship led to rampant speculation, with some even drawing parallels to the iconic "Thelma & Louise."

 

 As the duo ventured on numerous trips together, rumors started to swirl about the nature of their relationship. Randy S. Kester, who represented Franke's husband Kevin, stated that while there were murmurs, "I don’t have any concrete evidence of a romantic relationship, other than some video content that showed them holding hands."

 

 Franke's husband Kevin, who was previously a professor at Brigham Young University, echoed these sentiments. He believed that his wife’s association with Hildebrandt significantly impacted their marital relationship. Franke became more distant, frequently leaving Kevin to care for their children while she traveled on business with Hildebrandt. Kester reported that "Kevin was supportive, hoping that these trips were part of Ruby's self-development journey."

 

 Julie Deru, one of Franke’s sisters, expressed her discomfort with Hildebrandt’s teachings. "We were concerned about the messages Ruby started to propagate at family gatherings. They felt alien and contrary to what we knew."

 

 Indeed, as time went on, Franke’s content began shifting. Once filled with wholesome family moments, her channels were gradually dominated by Hildebrandt, with topics such as "tactics of deception," "establishing a truth declaration," and discourses against "lust."

 

 The crux of the concerns revolved around ConneXions' dubious counseling practices. Kevin Franke himself was roped into a men's group supported by Hildebrandt. For over a year, he was subjected to what many describe as emotional manipulation, being labeled "greedy," "narcissistic," and "selfish." These sessions were believed to be the driving force behind Kevin’s decision to move out, a move purportedly influenced by Hildebrandt.

 

 However, perhaps the most shocking revelation came from Jessi Hildebrandt, Jodi's niece. In a heart-wrenching interview, she detailed her traumatic experiences while in Jodi's care as a teenager. Her stories of being tied up, blindfolded, and isolated for hours echoed the harrowing ordeal faced by Franke's child. Jessi declared, "Jodi firmly believes that shame should be punished severely."

 

 Pam Bodtcher, described as "Jodi's surveillance," was another figure deeply involved in ConneXions. Jessi hinted at her complicit role, painting a picture of an intricate web of manipulation and control.

 

 The dark saga culminated in August when the police were called to check on one of Franke's children. The subsequent investigation unveiled disturbing truths about what had transpired behind closed doors.

 

 As the community grapples with this harrowing revelation, many believe that Hildebrandt was the mastermind. Franke's longtime friend summed it up: "While Ruby is not innocent, I believe there's hope for her to be rehabilitated. Jodi, however, is a different story."

 

 This tale serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers lurking behind seemingly perfect facades and the importance of discernment in the world of online influence.

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