Chad Franke Breaks Silence on Claims He’s “Still Brainwashed”

Ruby Franke’s son, Chad Franke, has spoken out against claims that he remains “brainwashed” after his mother’s high-profile child abuse case. The 20-year-old, who is the second eldest of Ruby’s six children with her ex-husband Kevin Franke, pushed back on criticism following his public statement about still loving his mother.

On March 3, Chad addressed these claims in an Instagram Story post. Sharing a video of his cat using a litter box, he wrote, “To all the people saying my dad and I are still brainwashed for loving another human being, eat Walter’s s–t.” He also made reference to his mother’s business partner, Jodi Hildebrandt, who was sentenced alongside Ruby. Posting a meme of Wario, a villain from Nintendo’s Mario series, he added the caption, “My healing process was realizing this was my therapist,” seemingly indicating that Jodi had a strong negative influence on their family.

Chad’s comments came just days after the release of a new docuseries titled Devil in the Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke. The documentary, which premiered on February 27, features interviews with Chad, his father Kevin, and his older sister Shari Franke. The series delves into the disturbing details of Ruby’s parenting, her involvement with Hildebrandt, and the abuse that led to her conviction.

In one episode, Kevin reflected on his ex-wife’s actions, acknowledging the severity of what had taken place but also expressing a conflicted sense of longing. “The actions that she did were atrocious, but I still feel a longing,” he said. “It is easy for the world to hate that woman, and so many people want me to join in that chorus, and I cannot turn off all of those other memories.”

Chad echoed his father’s thoughts but placed significant blame on Hildebrandt, arguing that she manipulated Ruby into making destructive choices. Before Ruby’s arrest, Jodi had encouraged her to alienate Kevin and Chad, ultimately leading to their removal from the home.

On Snapchat, Chad reinforced his views about the situation, responding to a question about the docuseries by saying, “People don’t realize how good Jodi was at manipulating. I hope everyone will get it.”

Shari Franke, Chad’s older sister, has also spoken out about their mother’s parenting style. In Devil in the Family, she detailed the strict and controlling environment that defined their childhood. According to her, Ruby often referred to her children as “employees” while positioning herself as the “CEO” of their household. She described their family home as feeling more like a film set than a place of warmth and safety.

Neither Ruby nor Jodi has publicly commented on the documentary. However, after receiving her prison sentence in 2024, Ruby expressed remorse for her actions, admitting that her perception of reality had been deeply distorted. “To my babies, you are a part of me,” she said in court. “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.”

The case against Ruby Franke began in August 2023, when Utah police responded to a report of a malnourished child seeking help. The child, later identified as Ruby’s 12-year-old son, was found emaciated, covered in open wounds, and bound with duct tape. He had escaped from Jodi Hildebrandt’s home, where he had been subjected to prolonged abuse. Authorities later found another child in a similarly dire state inside the house, as well as Ruby’s 9-year-old daughter sitting alone in an empty closet, terrified.

Ruby and Jodi were both arrested on aggravated child abuse charges and later formally indicted. The case quickly garnered widespread media attention, particularly given Ruby’s past as a prominent parenting influencer on YouTube. She and Kevin had run the channel 8 Passengers, which promoted a strict and often controversial approach to parenting.

Following Ruby’s arrest, her older daughter Shari shared her relief, writing on Instagram, “Me and my family are so glad justice is being served. 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.”

Ruby’s sisters, Ellie Mecham, Bonnie Hoellein, and Julie Deru, also spoke out in a joint statement, acknowledging that they had distanced themselves from Ruby in recent years but had worked privately to ensure the safety of her children. “For the last three years, we have kept quiet on the subject of Ruby Franke for the sake of her children,” they wrote. “Behind the public scene, we have done everything to try and make sure the kids were safe.”

In September 2023, both Ruby and Jodi were charged with six counts of felony child abuse. Kevin Franke, meanwhile, publicly denied any involvement in the abuse, stating that he had been living separately from Ruby for over a year before her arrest. In November, he officially filed for divorce.

Ruby and Jodi later pleaded guilty to four counts of second-degree aggravated child abuse each. In February 2024, they were sentenced to four consecutive prison terms ranging from one to 15 years each, with a maximum cap of 30 years.

During her sentencing, Ruby issued a tearful apology, acknowledging the damage she had inflicted on her children. “For the past four years, I’ve chosen to follow counsel and guidance that has led me into a dark delusion,” she admitted. “My distorted version of reality went largely unchecked as I would isolate from anyone who challenged me.”

In March 2024, further details of the case emerged, including disturbing entries from Ruby’s personal diary. In one chilling note from July 10, 2023—her son’s 12th birthday—she described him as “Satanic” and justified her abusive punishments as necessary discipline. Prosecutors also released an audio interview with Kevin, in which he recounted the extreme restrictions Ruby and Jodi imposed on him at home, including banning him from the kitchen and controlling when he could return home.

As the public continues to react to the case, Chad, Kevin, and Shari remain vocal about their experiences. Though Chad insists he still loves his mother, his recent posts make it clear that he understands the damage done. The fallout from Ruby Franke’s actions will undoubtedly leave lasting scars on her family, but for now, they are trying to move forward and reclaim their lives.