Content warning: This story discusses child abuse.
More details continue to emerge about life with Ruby Franke.
The Washington County Attorney's Office in Utah recently released an interview with Kevin Franke—the influencer's estranged husband—conducted after her arrest on child abuse charges in August. While speaking to authorities, Kevin detailed how Ruby expected him to behave while the pair, then separated, were living under the same roof at the end of 2021 and into 2022.
He said it was during this time that Ruby's business partner Jodi Hildebrandt—who was also arrested for child abuse—had moved in with them.
"There were all these rules now placed on me, like I can leave when I want but I couldn't come back until Ruby gave me permission," Kevin explained to authorities. "I couldn't come into the kitchen to eat until Ruby gave me permission and the upstairs where Jodi was was completely offline. I couldn't go upstairs anymore in my own house. And Ruby would dictate all of the terms of how our interactions would be, when we would talk. And that was hard."
He continued, "And it was during that time that I really became, I would say, dependent upon Ruby. Like if she said a kind word to me like my whole day was made."
E! News has previously reached out to Kevin, Ruby and Jodi's lawyers for comment regarding his interview, but has not heard back.
In the same interview, Kevin also shared how Ruby—with whom he shares six kids—first became involved in what he described as a "religious cult" named ConneXions, which Jodi established as a life coaching service in 2007 and was based on principles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, according to NBC News.
"My impression at that time was this is absolute craziness," the 45-year-old recalled of the business. "This is a bunch of man-hating women that are just looking for excuses to tear down their husbands."
Kevin said he felt his and Ruby's marriage was getting stronger when they first became enmeshed in ConneXions, before a sudden turn in Jodi's mental state and behavior changed his opinion of the group.
When Jodi subsequently moved in with their family in 2021, Kevin remembered, "[Jodi and Ruby] started sleeping in the same bed. Then [Ruby] started having, like, trances and stuff. I would say it was probably around September where she believed that she was going to heaven and seeing God and Jesus and talking with them."
Eventually, Kevin decided he "wanted to move on with life," and he and Ruby got an "in-home separation" before he filed for divorce this past December. His lawyer said in a September interview the pair had been living apart from for more than a year before Ruby's August arrest.
Ruby and Jodi were ultimately arrested after Ruby's 12-year-old son sought help from a neighbor, leading authorities to find his 10-year-old sister at Ruby's home. Both children were emaciated and in need of care upon their discovery, according to the Washington County Attorney's Office.
In December, both Ruby and Jodi pleaded guilty to four counts of child abuse as part of a plea deal, and in February both were sentenced to 30 years in prison—the maximum time for this kind of offense in the state of Utah.
During her sentencing hearing, Ruby shared an impassioned apology to her husband and children.
"For the past four years, I've chosen to follow counsel and guidance that has led me into a dark delusion," the 42-year-old said in court Feb. 20, per the livestream on the Utah court's website. "My distorted version of reality went largely unchecked as I would isolate from anyone who challenged me."
Addressing her children, she added, "I would do anything in this world for you. I took from you all that was soft and safe, and good."
(E! News and NBC News are both part of the NBCUniversal family.)
Read on for a complete timeline of the case.
Aug. 30, 2023: Children Found Malnourished
Utah police received a call about a starved child being found, they shared in a press release. The minor—who appeared "emaciated and malnourished" with "open wounds and duct tape around the extremities"—was taken to the hospital in "severe" condition.
He was later identified as YouTuber Ruby Franke's 12-year-old son, according to a probable cause affidavit obtained by NBC News. He had been at the home of Ruby's business partner Jodi Hildebrant and had climbed out of a window before going to a neighbor's house to ask for help, per the document.
Police then searched a nearby home, where another child was found "in a similar physical condition of malnourishment" and was also hospitalized, per the press release.
Authorities later explained that they discovered Ruby's 9-year-old daughter "petrified" while sitting by herself in an empty closet in Jodi's house, per evidence released by the Washington County Attorney's Office.
Aug. 30, 2023: Arrest
Ruby was arrested for aggravated child abuse charges in Utah along with Jodi, who in 2007 established a life coaching service called ConneXions, which former clients described to NBC News as a "cult-like" program based on principles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Aug. 31, 2023: Ruby's Daughter Speaks Out
On Aug. 31, E! reported that Shari Franke, Ruby's estranged adult daughter, reacted to the news on her Instagram Story.
"Me and my family are so glad justice is being served," wrote Shari, who was born in 2003. "We've been trying to tell the police and CPS for years about this, and so glad they finally decided to step up. Kids are safe, but there's a long road ahead."
Aug. 31, 2023: Ruby's Sisters React to Arrest
Ruby's sisters Ellie Mecham, Bonnie Hoellein and Julie Deru spoke out as well, saying the YouTuber's arrest "needed to happen."
"For the last 3 years we have kept quiet on the subject of Ruby Franke for the sake of her children," they wrote in a joint Instagram statement. "Behind the public scene, we have done everything to try and make sure the kids were safe. We wouldn't feel right about moving forward with regular content without addressing the most recent events. Once we do, we will not be commenting on it any further."
The siblings said Ruby's kids are "now safe, which is the number one priority."
Sept. 6, 2023: Charges Filed
The former 8 Passengers YouTuber and her business partner Jodi were each formally charged with six counts of felony child abuse by the Washington County Attorney in Utah.
Sept. 6, 2023: Kevin Franke Breaks Silence
Ruby's husband Kevin Franke came forward to deny involvement in her alleged crimes. His lawyer Randy Kester told Good Morning America the spouses had been living apart for 13 months before the arrest.
"He is a good person, he's very gentle," the attorney said. "He's a very gentle guy. And no one has ever made any allegations that he's physically abused those kids or anyone else."
Nov. 29, 2023: Kevin Files for Divorce
Kevin officially filed for divorce from the Utah influencer, according to a domestic relations injunction obtained by NBC News.
Dec. 18: Guilty Pleas
E! confirmed Dec. 18 that Ruby had entered a guilty plea for four of her charges. At the time, per the Associated Press, she stated, "With my deepest regret and sorrow for my family and my children, guilty."
Jodi would also plead guilty to four counts of second-degree felony aggravated child abuse.
Feb. 20, 2024: Prison Sentencing
Both women were sentenced to four consecutive one to 15 year sentences, which will be capped at the 30-year max in Utah.
Feb. 20, 2024: Ruby Apologizes
The parent vlogger apologized during her sentencing to her six kids and estranged husband.
"For the past four years, I've chosen to follow counsel and guidance that has led me into a dark delusion," she said in court. "My distorted version of reality went largely unchecked as I would isolate from anyone who challenged me."
She continued, "To my babies, you are a part of me. I believed dark was light and right was wrong. I would do anything in this world for you. I took from you all that was soft, and safe, and good."
March 25, 2024: Ruby's Diary Revealed
Prosecutors released her chilling journal entries, in which she wrote about her mistreatment of her children, including her "Satanic" tween son.
"He slithers & sneaks around looking for opportunities when no one is watching & then he scurries," she wrote in an entry from July 10, 2023, which was her son's 12th birthday. "If he wants to emulate the savior, he needs to be 100% obedient with exactness. No wavering, no hiding."
She wrote about punishing her children by beating them and withholding food and water.
March 25, 2024: Kevin's Interview With Authorities Becomes Public
Prosecutors released audio footage of Kevin talking with investigators after Ruby was arrested, in which he spoke about alleged restrictions he faced in their house.
"There were all these rules now placed on me, like I can leave when I want but I couldn't come back until Ruby gave me permission," Kevin said in an audio clip obtained by E!. "I couldn't come into the kitchen to eat until Ruby gave me permission and the upstairs where Jodi was was completely offline. I couldn't go upstairs anymore in my own house. And Ruby would dictate all of the terms of how our interactions would be, when we would talk. And that was hard."