Kevin Franke faced an agonizing revelation this past August. He found his wife, Ruby Franke, and their family therapist, Jodi Hildebrandt, detained, with his two youngest children in a healthcare facility for critical malnourishment treatments.

 

 In the year leading up to this grim discovery, Kevin had only received infrequent communication from his now-estranged wife. This drastic shift in family dynamics traces back to the involvement of marriage counselor, Jodi Hildebrandt, in their lives. In a candid conversation with PEOPLE, Kevin's attorney, Randy Kester, expressed, “Kevin was taken aback. The allegations against Ruby and Jodi left him stunned. It dawned upon him the magnitude of deception he had been subjected to."

 

 The couple, who once reveled in the limelight due to their "8 Passengers vlog" on YouTube, had amassed a dedicated following of approximately 2.5 million subscribers. Their content chiefly revolved around the daily adventures and life lessons of their six children. However, even this digital haven suffered a setback when the couple decided to part ways, a year before Ruby's dramatic arrest.

 

 Eyewitness accounts and police allegations shed light on the distressing environment the Franke children were exposed to, particularly in Kevin’s absence. With Ruby and the two youngest residing at Jodi's residence, there are serious accusations concerning the treatment of 12-year-old Russell Franke. Claims have emerged about him being physically restrained with ropes, and even more distressingly, of cayenne pepper and honey being deliberately applied to his injuries by Ruby and Jodi.

 

 Diving deeper into Jodi Hildebrandt’s background reveals a checkered professional history. She commenced her association with the Frankes in 2021. Prominently specializing in sex addiction, Jodi faced reprimands from state authorities back in 2012, owing to an improper relationship with a client. That very year, following her personal battles of a divorce and strained ties with her children, Jodi launched 'ConneXions'. Her venture, as advertised on her website, pledges to "empower individuals to thrive in their relationships," with an emphasis on liberating individuals from "distortions" to embrace "Truth, connection, and freedom."

 

 This counselor-client relationship between the Frankes and Jodi intensified, culminating in a pivotal trip involving Ruby, Kevin, and another therapist. Post this journey, Ruby's perspective on her marriage had radically shifted. Recollecting this phase, Kester quoted Ruby's exact words to Kevin: "Your attitude is infesting the family." She firmly believed that their only recourse was separation. Kevin, despite these developments, continued attending several sessions a week with Jodi. In a turn of events, when their son Chad decided to reside with Kevin, Jodi intervened, advising separation. According to Kester, Jodi’s influence permeated so deeply that Kevin became increasingly isolated, with Ruby being granted limited access to contact him.

 

 However, red flags had been raised about the family earlier. In June 2020, social workers began probing into the Franke family dynamics, spurred by unsettling content on their YouTube channel. This included incidents like Ruby openly denying lunch to 6-year-old Eve and then 15-year-old Chad confessing to sleeping on a beanbag for a staggering seven months following a harmless prank on his sibling. Yet, these inquiries hit a dead-end as Utah's Division of Child and Family Services couldn't validate the abuse claims.

 

 Recent times saw Ruby frequently shuttle between her residence in Springville and Jodi's home in Ivins, Utah. During one of these transitions, they were apprehended, following consistent efforts by an alert neighbor and the couple’s estranged daughter, Shari, 20, to alert authorities. Voicing his concerns, the neighbor stated, “Child protective services conveyed that their hands were tied until a calamity occurred."

 

 Currently, both Ruby and Jodi are incarcerated at Washington County Purgatory Correctional Facility, awaiting legal proceedings, while their counseling licenses remain suspended. Kevin, although interrogated, has not faced any charges. However, the debate on his role rages on. A concerned neighbor remarked, "Is Kevin culpable? Absolutely. His decision to vacate the home was critical."

 

 In a landscape rife with digital celebrities, this distressing tale underscores the reality that not all that glitters online is gold. The Franke family's unraveling story serves as a reminder to always look beyond the screen.

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