Who Has Ruby Franke’s Kids Now? (2026)

By Sarah Mitchell · December 4, 2023

Why This Question Matters More Than Ever — And Why 'Who Has Ruby Franke's Kids Now Reddit' Is a Symptom of Deeper Parenting Anxiety

If you've searched who has ruby franke's kids now reddit, you're not just chasing headlines—you're likely grappling with real fear, confusion, or even personal parallels: What happens when a parent fails catastrophically? Who steps in—and how do we protect kids when systems are strained? As of June 2024, Ruby Franke’s six children remain under the full legal and physical custody of their father, Jaren Franke, following a Utah Third District Court order issued on May 17, 2024, after Ruby’s guilty plea to four counts of aggravated child abuse. But custody is only the surface layer. What truly matters—and what this article unpacks—is how those children are being supported *now*, what safeguards are in place, and what this case reveals about early warning signs, intervention gaps, and trauma-responsive parenting practices that every caregiver should understand.

What Actually Happened: From Viral Vloggers to Criminal Conviction

Ruby Franke and her husband Jaren built a massive YouTube channel—'8 Passengers'—documenting their large, homeschooled family. By 2022, it had over 2 million subscribers, monetizing 'Christian parenting' content centered on strict discipline, weight-loss challenges for children as young as 9, and public shaming tactics disguised as 'accountability.' What many viewers missed—or dismissed as 'tough love'—were escalating red flags: children visibly underweight, avoiding eye contact during filming, scripted apologies for minor infractions, and Ruby’s documented use of isolation, food restriction, and forced labor (e.g., scrubbing floors for hours) as punishment. In August 2023, two of the children escaped and sought help at a Salt Lake City library—their handwritten note pleading for rescue went viral. Within 48 hours, law enforcement removed all six children from the home. Ruby was arrested, charged with four second-degree felony counts of aggravated child abuse; Jaren was not charged but cooperated fully with investigators and became the sole custodial parent.

Crucially, the court did *not* grant Jaren sole *legal* custody outright. Instead, in its May 2024 order, the court appointed a Professional Guardian Ad Litem (GAL)—a licensed attorney and child advocate—to represent the children’s best interests independently. That GAL remains actively involved in all major decisions regarding therapy, education, medical care, and visitation protocols. According to court transcripts reviewed by KUTV and confirmed by the Utah State Courts’ Public Information Office, Ruby is prohibited from any unsupervised contact and must complete court-mandated treatment—including trauma-informed parenting education, cognitive behavioral therapy, and a full psychological evaluation—before even petitioning for supervised visitation. She is currently serving a 4–6 year prison sentence at the Utah State Prison in Draper.

Where the Children Are Now: Structure, Stability, and Evidence-Based Support

The children—ages 8 to 17—are living full-time with Jaren Franke in a secure, undisclosed location in Utah County. While privacy protections prevent disclosure of exact details, verified reporting from The Salt Lake Tribune (June 2024) and court-ordered service plans confirm they are receiving comprehensive, tiered support:

Therapy: Each child sees a licensed child trauma therapist twice weekly, using evidence-based modalities including TF-CBT (Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) and EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), per recommendations from the National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN).
Education: All six are enrolled in public school—not homeschooling—with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) or 504 Plans addressing academic delays, anxiety-related avoidance, and social reintegration. Two older teens are also participating in vocational counseling through Utah’s Secondary Transition Program.
Medical Care: A pediatrician specializing in abuse recovery oversees biweekly health assessments. Nutritional rehabilitation is ongoing; three children required hospital-based feeding support upon removal, and all continue to work with a registered dietitian focused on intuitive eating and body trust—not weight targets.
Legal Oversight: The GAL meets monthly with each child individually (without Jaren present), files quarterly reports to the court, and has veto power over any proposed changes to care plans.

This isn’t just ‘custody’—it’s a carefully calibrated, court-supervised restoration framework. As Dr. Elena Martinez, a clinical psychologist and AAP Fellow who consults on complex child welfare cases, explains: “Recovery from chronic emotional and physical abuse isn’t about returning to ‘normal.’ It’s about rebuilding safety neurologically—through predictable routines, relational consistency, and agency restoration. Every decision here—from school placement to therapy frequency—is calibrated to lower threat response and rebuild prefrontal regulation.”

What Reddit Gets Wrong (And Why It’s Dangerous for Real Parents)

Reddit threads (r/Parenting, r/Utah, r/TrueCrime) flooded with speculation after Ruby’s sentencing. Common themes included: “Jaren’s letting them watch her trial livestreams,” “They’re being homeschooled again,” and “Ruby’s getting secret visits.” None are true—and spreading such misinformation does real harm. Here’s why:

Misinformation erodes trust in systems. When users believe false narratives (e.g., “the courts didn’t act fast enough”), they may hesitate to report concerns in their own circles—fearing bureaucracy or disbelief.
It retraumatizes affected families. Even anonymized speculation can reach extended family or former community members, triggering shame or secondary trauma for children working hard to heal.
It distracts from systemic lessons. Instead of asking *who* has the kids, we should ask: How did warning signs go unaddressed by teachers, doctors, and church leaders? Why weren’t mandated reporters trained to recognize coercive control masked as ‘discipline’?

Utah’s Division of Child and Family Services (DCFS) released a post-case review in April 2024 confirming multiple missed opportunities—including three prior referrals that were closed without home visits due to ‘low risk’ categorization. This underscores a critical truth: Child abuse often hides in plain sight behind cultural permission—especially when dressed in religious language or framed as ‘character building.’ As Dr. Sarah Lin, a pediatrician and AAP Council on Child Abuse advisor, stresses: “Any practice that isolates a child from peers, restricts food as punishment, uses shame to control behavior, or denies medical care for non-life-threatening conditions warrants immediate professional assessment—not debate.”

Actionable Steps for Parents: Turning Awareness Into Protection

You don’t need a crisis to apply these lessons. Whether you’re a concerned relative, educator, neighbor, or parent reflecting on your own habits—here’s how to move from anxiety to agency:

Conduct a ‘Safety Audit’ of Your Discipline Practices. Ask yourself: Does this action preserve my child’s dignity? Does it teach skills—or just compliance? Does it invite connection—or fear? Tools like the AAP’s HealthyChildren.org Discipline Guide provide concrete alternatives to punitive methods.
Know Your State’s Mandated Reporter Requirements. In Utah—and all 50 U.S. states—teachers, healthcare providers, clergy, and childcare workers are legally required to report suspected abuse. But *anyone* can report. DCFS’s anonymous hotline (1-855-323-3237) accepts tips 24/7 and offers multilingual support.
Build ‘Trauma-Literate’ Relationships. If you suspect a child is struggling (withdrawal, sudden aggression, sleep disturbances, developmental regression), respond with curiosity—not correction. Say: “I’ve noticed you seem really tired lately. Want to talk about what’s making things heavy?” Then listen without fixing, judging, or probing.
Support, Don’t Spectate. If you know a family in crisis, avoid gossip or Reddit-style analysis. Instead: Bring meals. Offer childcare so parents can attend therapy. Say: “I’m here to help—not judge. What do you need right now?”

Consult pediatrician + registered dietitian; avoid weight-focused language; prioritize regular, joyful meals with zero commentaryCo-regulate first (“I see you’re feeling overwhelmed—let’s breathe together”), then name emotions, then problem-solveShare observations neutrally (“Ms. Lee noticed Jamie hasn’t spoken in circle time for 3 weeks”) + offer resources (school counselor referral)Document date/time/context; contact school counselor or DCFS; avoid interrogating child—say “Thank you for telling me. I’m going to help keep you safe.”

Red Flag Behavior	What It May Signal	Evidence-Based Response
Child refuses to eat meals, hides food, or obsessively counts calories	Potential food insecurity, anxiety-driven restriction, or past punishment via starvation	Immediate—especially if accompanied by rapid weight loss, fatigue, or dizziness
Child flinches at raised voices, avoids eye contact, or ‘freezes’ during conflict	Chronic hypervigilance or conditioned fear response	Within 48 hours—if persistent across settings (school, home, extracurriculars)
Parent insists child is ‘just shy’ or ‘needs toughening up’ despite teacher reports of withdrawal or self-harm	Minimization of distress; possible lack of insight or willful denial	Immediately—if self-harm, suicidal ideation, or unexplained injuries are observed
Child describes punishments involving isolation, humiliation, or physical pain (e.g., ‘standing in corner for hours,’ ‘washing mouth with soap’)	Use of coercive control violating Utah Code § 76-5-200.5 (child abuse definition)	Within 24 hours—this meets statutory definition of abuse requiring reporting

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ruby Franke allowed to see her children at all?

No. As of the May 17, 2024 court order, Ruby Franke is prohibited from any contact—supervised or unsupervised—with her children. Visitation is contingent upon her completing court-mandated treatment, passing psychological evaluations, and receiving approval from both the Guardian Ad Litem and the presiding judge. No timeline has been set for review.

Are the children still homeschooled?

No. All six children are enrolled in Utah public schools with individualized academic and emotional support plans. Homeschooling was discontinued immediately upon removal and is not part of their current care plan. The Guardian Ad Litem and DCFS determined classroom reintegration—with peer interaction, structured routines, and trained staff—was clinically indicated for social-emotional recovery.

Why isn’t Jaren Franke facing charges?

Jaren Franke cooperated fully with law enforcement, provided unrestricted access to home electronics and records, and voluntarily surrendered custody to DCFS. Investigators found no evidence he participated in or enabled the abusive acts. However, the court ordered him into mandatory parenting education focused on recognizing coercive control dynamics and strengthening protective factors—a requirement he’s completed and continues to engage with through monthly counseling.

Can I donate to support the children’s recovery?

No direct donations are accepted or needed. All therapeutic, medical, and educational services are covered by Utah DCFS and court-ordered funding. Well-intentioned crowdfunding efforts have been declined by the GAL to preserve the children’s privacy and avoid commodifying their trauma. If you wish to support child welfare, consider donating to the Utah Children’s Justice Center or National Safe Place Network, which provide crisis intervention and advocacy for abused youth.

What long-term outcomes can we expect for children in situations like this?

Outcomes vary widely—but research shows strong predictors of resilience include consistent caregiver presence (like Jaren’s), access to trauma-informed therapy, academic re-engagement, and peer connection. A 2023 longitudinal study in Pediatrics followed 127 children removed from abusive homes: 78% showed significant improvement in emotional regulation and academic performance within 18 months when supported by integrated care teams (therapist + educator + pediatrician). The key factor wasn’t speed of recovery—but relational safety sustained over time.

Common Myths

Myth #1: “If a parent is religious or homeschools, abuse is less likely—or harder to prove.”
Reality: Data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services shows homeschooling status correlates with *lower* reporting rates—not lower incidence. Religious framing can mask coercion; Utah’s 2022 Child Welfare Report noted a 37% increase in abuse cases involving faith-based justification over five years.

Myth #2: “Kids recover quickly once they’re ‘safe.’”
Reality: Neurological healing takes time. Chronic stress alters brain architecture—particularly the amygdala and prefrontal cortex. As Dr. Bruce Perry of the ChildTrauma Academy explains: “Safety isn’t a location—it’s a physiological state. It must be co-regulated, repeated, and embodied before cognition can re-engage.”

Your Next Step Starts With One Intentional Choice

You searched who has ruby franke's kids now reddit because something about this case resonated—maybe unease, maybe grief, maybe determination to do better. That resonance is your compass. Don’t scroll past. Don’t speculate. Instead: Open your phone right now and bookmark HealthyChildren.org’s ‘Discipline That Teaches’ guide. Or call your school counselor and ask, ‘What’s our protocol for supporting a student showing signs of chronic stress?’ Or sit with your own child tonight and ask, ‘What makes you feel safest with me?’ Healing begins not with grand gestures—but with grounded, daily choices rooted in dignity, science, and unwavering belief in every child’s right to safety. You’ve got this—and you’re not alone.