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Ruby Franke, an American former family vlogger, gained significant online recognition through her YouTube channel 8 Passengers. Despite her initial popularity, public attention soon shifted to growing concerns over her strict parenting approach and, ultimately, allegations of aggravated child abuse. Her story underscores the importance of understanding how certain parenting styles and mental health issues can interact, potentially leading to long-term consequences for both parents and children. This article examines Ruby Franke’s case from a mental health perspective, drawing on scientific research to illustrate the risks and consequences of abusive parenting strategies.

Keywords: Ruby Franke case, Ruby Franke mental health, Strict parenting methods, Authoritarian parenting style, Child abuse allegations, 8 Passengers YouTube channel, Family vlogger controversy, Aggravated child abuse charges

Ruby Franke rose to online prominence through family vlogging, depicting her daily life with her husband and six children. While sharing intimate details of one’s personal life on social media can foster community and connection, it also exposes families to scrutiny. In Ruby’s case, viewers and child welfare advocates voiced concern regarding her parenting methods. Incidents that sparked public backlash included reports of children sleeping on bean bags for extended periods and being deprived of basic necessities, such as meals, as forms of discipline.

Eventually, these parenting practices prompted a deeper investigation. In August 2023, authorities discovered two of Ruby’s children in a state of severe malnourishment and injury, leading to her arrest and charges of felony aggravated child abuse (Devil in the Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke, 2025). This tragic turn of events illustrates the potential damage of extreme parenting methods on children’s well-being and mental health (Child Welfare Information Gateway, 2023).

Parenting styles are often categorised along a spectrum from authoritative, which tends to blend warmth with consistent boundaries, to authoritarian, marked by rigid rules and harsh punishment (Baumrind, 1966). Research indicates that children raised in authoritative households typically exhibit higher self-esteem and better mental health outcomes (Sorkhabi, 2019). Conversely, authoritarian parenting can correlate with heightened levels of anxiety, depression, and behavioural problems in children (Kawabata et al., 2011).

While setting rules and boundaries is important, strict or rigid discipline can morph into abusive practices when parental control is excessive. Abusive parenting can lead to long-term adverse outcomes, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety (World Health Organization, 2022). In Ruby Franke’s case, punitive measures such as withholding food and adequate shelter potentially contributed to the severe physical and psychological harm of her children.

Children subjected to neglect and maltreatment often experience immediate psychological distress, including fear, low self-esteem, and disrupted attachment (Rubin & Burgess, 2020). The long-term consequences can be profound, manifesting as difficulty forming healthy relationships, increased risk of substance misuse, and ongoing mental health disorders (Child Welfare Information Gateway, 2023). Studies consistently show that child abuse can rewire stress response systems, making survivors more susceptible to mental health difficulties in adulthood (Felitti et al., 1998).

Traumatic experiences during childhood, such as sustained neglect or physical abuse, can lead to complex trauma. Complex trauma often encompasses repeated exposure to adverse experiences, resulting in more severe emotional and psychological disturbances (Van der Kolk, 2014). This can include distorted self-image, difficulties in emotional regulation, and an increased likelihood of psychiatric disorders. In the context of Ruby Franke’s children, ongoing deprivation and harsh punishments could constitute repeated trauma.

Although details regarding Ruby Franke’s own psychological state have not been fully disclosed, research highlights how parental stress, mental health challenges, and maladaptive belief systems can precipitate abusive parenting (Briggs-Gowan et al., 2020). In Franke’s case, her reported belief that her children were “possessed by demons” (Devil in the Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke, 2025) reflects an extreme cognitive distortion potentially linked to underlying mental health disorders or situational stressors.

Ruby Franke collaborated with Jodi Hildebrandt, a counsellor who promoted strict parenting philosophies through the organization ConneXions. Such affiliations can reinforce harsh disciplinary measures if professional oversight or ethical guidelines are absent. Where parents receive misguided mental health advice, the result can be an amplification of harmful practices (Ross et al., 2019).

Preventing child abuse hinges upon early intervention, education, and robust support systems. Parenting classes, accessible mental health services, and consistent supervision by child protective agencies can diminish the likelihood of harmful disciplinary tactics (Schnell et al., 2021). By understanding how stress and personal beliefs can influence parenting, clinicians and community support services can intervene before patterns of abuse become entrenched.

Equally crucial is the availability of reporting mechanisms and community vigilance. Prompt reporting allows authorities and child welfare organisations to investigate concerns, minimising the duration and severity of potential harm. As evidenced in Ruby Franke’s case, it was a neighbour’s intervention that ultimately led to timely medical care for her injured children (Devil in the Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke, 2025).

The story of Ruby Franke underscores the delicate balance between firm discipline and abusive practices, highlighting the vital role mental health plays in parenting. Research consistently demonstrates that children thrive under nurturing yet structured environments, while extreme control and neglect can lead to devastating, lifelong consequences. Early interventions, community awareness, and evidence-based mental health support are key to preventing abusive parenting and safeguarding children’s well-being. Ultimately, prioritising mental health and proper guidance can help break the cycle of abuse, ensuring children receive the care, protection, and nurturing they deserve.

• Baumrind, D. (1966) Effects of Authoritative Parental Control on Child Behavior, Child Development, 37(4), pp. 887–907.
• Briggs-Gowan, M.J., Carter, A.S., Clark, R. & Ford, J.D. (2020) Exposure to potential trauma and early child behavior problems: A population-based study, Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 45(4), pp. 377–386.
• Child Welfare Information Gateway (2023) Long-Term Consequences of Child Abuse and Neglect. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Available at: https://www.childwelfare.gov/.
• Devil in the Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke (2025) Hulu Docuseries, premiered 27 February 2025.
• Felitti, V.J., Anda, R.F., Nordenberg, D., Williamson, D.F., Spitz, A.M., Edwards, V., Koss, M.P. & Marks, J.S. (1998) Relationship of childhood abuse and household dysfunction to many of the leading causes of death in adults, American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 14(4), pp. 245–258.
• Kawabata, Y., Alink, L.R., Tseng, W.L., van IJzendoorn, M.H. & Crick, N.R. (2011) Maternal and paternal parenting styles associated with relational aggression in children and adolescents: A conceptual analysis and meta-analytic review, Developmental Review, 31(4), pp. 240–278.
• Ross, L.T., Miron, D. & Javors, M.A. (2019) Parenting beliefs and the uptake of punitive methods: Evaluating the role of professional guidance, Journal of Family Psychology, 33(6), pp. 789–799.
• Rubin, K.H. & Burgess, K.B. (2020) Parenting, peer relationships, and social development in childhood, Child Development, 91(2), pp. 345–360.
• Schnell, S.D., Szkody, E., & Nadorff, D.K. (2021) Reducing child maltreatment: Assessing the effectiveness of community-based intervention programs, Child Abuse & Neglect, 111, p. 104807.
• Sorkhabi, N. (2019) Parent–child conflict and academic performance: An exploration of parental authority styles, Educational Psychology, 39(3), pp. 367–386.
• Van der Kolk, B.A. (2014) The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma. New York: Viking.
• World Health Organization (2022) Child Maltreatment. Available at: https://www.who.int/.

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