In a powerful interview with Good Morning America, Shari Franke revealed the harrowing reality of growing up as the eldest daughter of Ruby Franke, the infamous former YouTuber who was convicted for child abuse. Ruby, a Utah mother of six, made headlines in 2023 when her malnourished son escaped their home, seeking refuge from a life of torment.

Shari recounts that her early years were marred by physical abuse, starting as young as five or six, with her mother delivering painful slaps that left lasting scars. In her memoir, The House of My Mother: A Daughter's Quest for Freedom, she describes instances of fear and intimidation, particularly when she practiced the piano—an activity that became a source of anxiety due to Ruby's violent outbursts.

At just 11 years old, Shari witnessed a drastic shift in her mother's disciplinary methods after the arrival of Jodi Hildebrandt, a controversial Mormon family counselor. Hildebrandt, who would later become Ruby's partner in crime, allegedly introduced more psychologically damaging techniques to their household. Shari expressed deep discomfort about the close relationship between Hildebrandt and Ruby, stating, “I got weird vibes... I don’t think it’s normal at all that a therapist would move into her client’s home.”

As Shari prepared to leave for college, she discovered disturbing evidence on Ruby's laptop, hinting that their relationship may have crossed boundaries, an ironic twist given their public denouncements of queerness on social media. Despite her suspicions, Shari admitted that she never saw overt confirmation of a romantic relationship between the two women.

In a cruel twist of fate, Ruby was sentenced to up to 60 years in prison last February. She took this time to publicly apologize to her children—an act that, according to Shari, lacked sincerity. “What she has done is so bad that I don’t think her mind allows her to fully comprehend the guilt of all that,” Shari reflected, expressing doubts about the authenticity of her mother's remorse.

Since distancing herself from her family, including rejecting a letter from Ruby, which failed to address her abusive past, Shari noted, “I’ll never respond to that. I don’t feel an emotional tie to her anymore.”

Shari Franke's courageous journey sheds light on the often-hidden struggles faced by those in abusive households, urging society to pay attention and take action. Her story is a chilling reminder that the façade of a perfect family can hide unimaginable horrors.

Stay tuned as more details emerge from Shari's memoir and the ongoing fallout from Ruby Franke’s shocking case.