Podcast Summary: Two Ts In A Pod with Teddi Mellencamp and Tamra Judge Episode: Legally Brunette: Ruby Franke
Release Date: March 19, 2025
Host/Authors: Teddi Mellencamp and Tamra Judge
Produced by: iHeartPodcasts

Introduction

In this gripping episode of Two Ts In A Pod, hosts Teddi Mellencamp and Tamra Judge delve deep into the harrowing true crime case of Ruby Franke. Known for their insightful and candid discussions, Teddi and Tamra unravel the complex layers of Ruby Franke's story, exploring themes of abuse, manipulation, and the failure of societal institutions to protect vulnerable individuals.

Case Overview

Ruby Franke, once a beloved YouTube vlogger running the channel 8Passengers, gained fame by showcasing her seemingly perfect Mormon family life in Utah. However, beneath the polished facade lay a dark reality of severe child abuse and manipulation.

• Background: Ruby, alongside her husband Kevin Franke, had six children. Their YouTube channel amassed over 2.5 million subscribers, earning up to $100,000 a month at its peak. The channel presented an idealized portrayal of family life, masking the underlying abuse.

• Downfall: In 2020, a single post exposed the family's turmoil. Ruby's eldest son, Chad, revealed the oppressive environment at home, leading to widespread backlash, loss of sponsorships, and the eventual collapse of their online presence.

Key Events and Discussions

1. The Kimberly Sullivan Case ([03:02] - [16:09])

Before delving into Ruby Franke's story, the hosts briefly touch upon another distressing case involving Kimberly Sullivan and her stepson.

• Incident: On February 17th, Waterbury police responded to a fire at Sullivan's home. The stepmom evacuated, but her 32-year-old stepson remained trapped. He revealed he had been held captive for over 20 years, suffering from severe malnutrition and abuse.

• Charges: Sullivan faced multiple charges, including first-degree assault and kidnapping. Despite numerous calls to Child Protective Services (DCF) and school authorities, no intervention occurred until the desperate act of setting a fire prompted rescue.

• Quotes:

  • Emily Simpson ([04:19]): "He was only allowed out one minute a day to let the family dog out."
  • Shane ([09:14]): "Hopefully he can transition well, I don't know."

This case underscores the systemic failures in protecting victims despite multiple red flags and alerts from educators and neighbors.

2. Ruby Franke's Rise and Collapse ([16:09] - [43:17])

Ruby Franke began her YouTube journey in 2015, presenting an idyllic Mormon family. Her charismatic presence and relatable content drew millions of followers, turning her into a social media influencer.

• Positive Facade: Initially, Ruby's channel showcased typical family activities, parenting tips, and religious devotion, aligning with LDS (Mormon) values.

• Signs of Trouble:

  • Disciplinary Practices: Ruby's methods were harsh and punitive, often using food deprivation as punishment.
    • Quote ([21:54] - [22:01]): "She could be seen telling her sons that they would lose the privilege to eat dinner if they continued play fighting."
  • Manipulative Behavior: Ruby orchestrated scenarios to maintain control and enhance her online persona, often at the expense of her children's well-being.

• Introducing Jody Hildebrandt: Ruby brought Jody Hildebrandt, a self-help guru with questionable credentials, into the household. Jody's influence marked a significant turn towards extreme behavioral control and abuse.

3. Sherry Franke's Memoir and Insights ([43:17] - [57:39])

Sherry Franke, Ruby's eldest daughter, authored "House of My Mother: A Daughter's Quest for Freedom," providing an intimate look into the family's dysfunction.

• Childhood Abuse: Sherry details the emotional and physical abuse inflicted by Ruby, exacerbated by Jody Hildebrandt's manipulative presence.

  • Quote ([38:23] - [38:33]): "Jody's not well. She's being bombarded by the adversary. Her soul is under siege from Satan himself."

• Isolation Tactics: Ruby employed various methods to isolate her children from the outside world, including controlling communication and restricting access to education.

• Impact on Siblings: While the two eldest siblings, Chad and Sherry, eventually escaped and sought normal lives, the younger children suffered prolonged abuse until intervention.

• Systemic Failures: Despite numerous attempts by Sherry and concerned neighbors to seek help, Child Protective Services remained unresponsive, highlighting significant gaps in child welfare systems.

  • Quote ([66:36] - [67:50]): "Sherry in her memoir claims that she called herself over 20 times... and nothing was done."

4. Legal Proceedings and Sentencing ([57:39] - [78:39])

Following the exposure of their abusive practices, both Ruby Franke and Jody Hildebrandt faced legal consequences.

• Arrests and Charges: Ruby and Jody were charged with multiple counts of child abuse, including assault and kidnapping. They were held on substantial bonds but eventually took plea deals.

• Sentencing: Both women received sentences ranging from four to sixty years, underscoring the severity of their crimes.

  • Quote ([62:46] - [63:26]): "Both women took a plea deal. They took four counts of child abuse with one to 15 years each for each count."

• Impact on Kevin Franke: Ruby's husband, Kevin, was criticized for his passive role in the abuse, following Ruby's instructions to distance himself from the children. Despite being seen as a "good guy," his inaction was spotlighted as a moral failing.

  • Quote ([68:11] - [69:07]): "He could have, he could have prevented all of this by just being a stand-up dad."

• Legislative Changes: In response to the case, Utah passed a bill requiring parents to set aside earnings from their children's online content and allowing the removal of such content from platforms.

  • Quote ([75:00] - [76:10]): "He called the bill a great first step towards protecting child influencers here in the state of Utah."

Insights and Analysis

Two Ts In A Pod provides a critical examination of the Ruby Franke case, emphasizing the intersection of online fame, religious extremism, and systemic neglect.

• The Power of Social Media: The case illustrates how influencers can mask severe personal and familial issues behind a curated online persona, deceiving millions and avoiding scrutiny.

• Religious Influence: Ruby's abuse was partially justified through misinterpreted LDS teachings, showcasing how religious beliefs can be twisted to endorse harmful behaviors.

• Systemic Failures: Despite multiple alerts from educators and neighbors, Child Protective Services failed to intervene timely, allowing abuse to continue unchecked.

• Mental Manipulation: The introduction of Jody Hildebrandt into the household intensified the control over the children, blending self-help rhetoric with authoritarian tactics.

• Victim Resilience: Sherry's memoir serves as a testament to survival and the quest for freedom, highlighting the importance of voicing abuse despite systemic barriers.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Emily Simpson ([21:54]): "She could be seen telling her sons that they would lose the privilege to eat dinner if they continued play fighting."
• Shane ([09:14]): "Hopefully he can transition well, I don't know."
• Emily Simpson ([38:28]): "She's sharing several firsthand instances of harming her two youngest children whom she believed were demonically possessed."
• Shane ([44:05]): "So you can be like, see. See, look at Ruby Franke."
• Emily Simpson ([63:28]): "I think if one of those police officers would have made sure that she called her mom... things could have turned out differently."
• Shane ([71:57]): "But she care about their feelings."
• Emily Simpson ([74:34]): "If this happened, then it failed."

Conclusion

The Legally Brunette: Ruby Franke episode serves as a powerful examination of how public personas can conceal deep-seated abuse and the critical importance of vigilant societal intervention. Teddi and Tamra's thorough analysis not only sheds light on Ruby Franke's manipulative practices but also calls for systemic reforms to prevent such tragedies in the future. Through Sherry Franke's courageous recounting and the hosts' insightful discussions, listeners gain a profound understanding of the complexities surrounding familial abuse and the role of community and institutional responsibilities in safeguarding the vulnerable.

Note: For those interested in exploring this case further, Sherry Franke's memoir, "House of My Mother: A Daughter's Quest for Freedom," offers an in-depth perspective on the family's dynamics and the enduring impact of Ruby Franke's actions.