Chad Franke Talks About His Mother’s Conviction
Nearly two years after Ruby Franke, a YouTube blogger, was sentenced to up to 60 years for aggravated child abuse, her son Chad Franke has opened up about his experiences. In a series of TikTok videos, Chad, now 20, reflected on his life and shared entries from his diary.
“Hi, I’m Chad. I used to be very brainwashed,” he confessed in one of the videos, emphasizing the reality of his past. He added that many of his followers had urged him to write a book, though he feels uncertain about his writing skills and prefers to tell his story in his own way.
Chad highlighted that he kept a diary during that tumultuous period. “Every day was real for me,” he stated, indicating a desire to revisit those memories. He read from his entries, recollecting daily events from early 2023, including playing Mario Kart and cooking with friends.
He recounted a phone conversation with his mother, where they delved into complex topics like desire. He expressed that being a lifeguard provided him with a chance to demonstrate personal growth and discipline. He shared aspirations for personal improvement, including studying the Bible and taking a coding course.
As he continued discussing his reflections, Chad stressed that not everything from that time was negative. “Bible study is not bad; cooking is obviously not bad,” he pointed out, trying to clarify that his narrative shouldn’t be viewed in purely negative terms.
In another video, he wrestled with his feelings surrounding desire, contemplating the choices of those around him while working at the pool. He emphasized the importance of proving himself as a principled individual, wishing to grow and mature beyond past immaturities.
Franke gained significant online popularity through her family’s YouTube channel “8 Passengers,” attracting over two million followers. However, controversy surrounded the family after Chad spoke about punishments, including being made to sleep on a bean bag chair for months.
Eventually, Ruby Franke partnered with Jodi Hildebrandt, a controversial therapist whose parenting tactics gained notoriety. Hildebrandt moved in with the Franke family, and by 2023, both women were arrested for the abuse of Ruby’s two youngest children. The situation came to light when one of the children sought help, leading police to uncover troubling circumstances.
Following their arrests in August 2023, Ruby and Jodi pleaded guilty to child abuse charges by December, facing sentencing in early 2024. They were given a lengthy prison term, reflecting the serious nature of the accusations.
