‘20/20’ Investigates Ruby Franke – The Popular YouTube Vlogger Charged With Child Abuse, Featuring Exclusive Body Camera Footage, Interrogation Tapes, Recorded Phone Calls, and Ruby’s Personal Journal

Ruby Franke’s YouTube channel “8 Passengers” was a portrait of social media success. For years, the wife and mother of six, who were members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, amassed nearly 2.5 million followers documenting the daily life of her children. However, the image of the perfect family began to crack when her controversial videos displayed her strict parenting. In August of 2023, one of Ruby’s children, malnourished with duct tape and wounds on his wrists and ankles, escaped the home of Franke’s friend and business partner, Jodi Hildebrandt, and asked a neighbor for help. A new “20/20,” with reporting from “Nightline” co-anchor Juju Chang, unravels the unimaginable abuse at the hands of Ruby and Jodi, told through never-before-seen body camera video, recorded calls, and Ruby’s own journal detailing the horrific abuse.

“20/20” also includes an exclusive interview with Jodi’s niece, Jessi Hildebrandt, and newly unveiled police interviews recounting the events of the day authorities arrested Ruby and Jodi and the frantic search for the Franke children in four different cities. The program features interviews with Emily Palmer, senior crime writer at People Magazine; Randy Kester, attorney for Kevin Franke; Adam Steed, Stephanie Jones and Trey Warner, former therapy patients of Jodi Hildebrandt; and Jo Piazza, author and host of the “Under the Influence” podcast. “20/20” airs on Friday, March 22 (9:01-11:00 p.m. EDT), on ABC, next day on Hulu.

ABC News’ “20/20” is the No. 1 award-winning primetime program anchored by David Muir and Deborah Roberts. A proven leader as a long-form newsmagazine for over 45 years, “20/20” features unforgettable, character-driven true-crime mysteries, exclusive newsmaker interviews, hard-hitting investigative reports and in-depth coverage of high-profile stories. Janice Johnston is the executive producer. The two-hour “20/20” events air Fridays from 9:01-11:00 p.m. EDT on ABC and are available to stream on ABC News digital platforms and Hulu.

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