Kevin Franke, the estranged husband of infamous “mommy blogger” Ruby Franke, expressed deep regret over his family’s involvement in online vlogging during a recent testimony in Utah’s legislature.

Kevin, who is the father of six children, spoke candidly about the negative impact of his wife’s YouTube channel, “8 Passengers,” which amassed over two million subscribers.

Reflecting on the harmful consequences, Kevin stated, “Vlogging my family, putting my children into public social media, was wrong, and I regret it every day.”

Kevin Franke’s Statement on the Dangers of Family Vlogging

Kevin Franke’s remarks come almost a year after Ruby Franke was sentenced to 30 years in prison for the abuse of their children.

He made it clear that children, unlike adults, cannot consent to being filmed and shared on social media platforms. “Children cannot give informed consent to be filmed on social media, period,” Kevin emphasized.

His testimony came as part of his support for HB322, a proposed bill in Utah that aims to protect children who appear in online content.

Proposed Legislation to Protect Child Influencers

The HB322 bill seeks to create financial safeguards for children involved in online content creation.

Specifically, the bill would require content creators earning over $150,000 annually to set aside 15 percent of their income for the benefit of their children.

The bill also gives children the right to have the content they appear in removed from the internet once they reach adulthood.

Kevin Franke expressed his full support for the bill, calling it “a great first step toward protecting child influencers in Utah.”

Family Tragedy and the Beginning of Legal Proceedings

Kevin and Ruby Franke separated before her arrest in August 2023, but he has never been charged with any crimes related to the abuse of their children.

However, in his testimony, Kevin acknowledged that he still has his own painful journey to share, but he chose not to go into detail at the hearing.

Ruby Franke’s YouTube channel ended in 2022, and she went on to partner with Jodi Hildebrandt for a self-improvement program.

Hildebrandt, like Ruby, was convicted in early 2024 for her role in the abuse.

Testimonies from Kevin’s Daughters on the Impact of Family Vlogging

At the hearing, Kevin also shared statements from two of his daughters, aged 16 and 11, who spoke out in support of the HB322 bill.

The 16-year-old explained that had the bill been in place during her time appearing on the “8 Passengers” channel, her mother would not have been able to withdraw all the money she earned from the channel.

She reflected on the pain of realizing her childhood had been sold to the public, stating, “You’re selling your life, your privacy, your body and stories to the entire world.”

Meanwhile, the 11-year-old shared her own emotional experience, recalling that while she initially felt “happy” on camera, she later realized the YouTube channel had stolen her childhood.

“I worked hard for that money.

I acted like someone I wasn’t in front of the camera, and I earned that money. But I feel like my mom used me for money,” she said.

The Devastating Abuse and Its Aftermath

The Franke family’s nightmare came to light when two of their severely malnourished children were rescued from Jodi Hildebrandt’s home.

Investigations revealed that the children had been forced to do labor, deprived of food, and subjected to cruel punishments.

One of the children, aged 12, was even bound and physically abused for attempting to escape.

The authorities described the conditions as a “concentration-camp setting.”

Ruby Franke later admitted to torturing one of her sons by forcing him to do hours of physical tasks, exposing him to extreme sunburns, and physically abusing him.

She also acknowledged similar treatment of her daughter, who was forced to work outdoors without food or water.

Ruby and Jodi Hildebrandt are currently serving prison sentences for their actions, with each facing 30 years to life in prison.

HB322 Bill Progress and Hope for Change

Following the committee’s approval of the HB322 bill, the legislation will now proceed to the full Utah House for consideration.

Kevin Franke believes the bill is just the beginning of what needs to be done to protect children from the dangers of online exploitation.

While his family’s tragic experience has left lasting scars, Kevin’s advocacy for change signals hope for a safer future for child influencers.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

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