The 8 Passengers YouTube channel was run by Ruby and Kevin Franke and documented their life with their six children. In May, the family found themselves in the middle of a wave of rumors and accusations about their family, with drama YouTube channels and TikTokers using clips from their videos to support allegations of child abuse. The Frankes lives took a dark turn when Ruby posted a video on their channel, discussing some of the things they had been through recently, which backfired and caused weeks of turmoil for their family.
On August 30, 2023, Ruby Franke and another woman were arrested after one of Ms. Franke's malnourished sons escaped. A few days later, they were charged with six counts of child abuse. During the first hearing, Ruby Franke accused one of her children of sexually abusing a sibling. The case has received significant media attention, and there have been discussions about whether the proceedings should be private.
