When Mormon mom influencer Ruby Franke was arrested and convicted in 2023, social media was shocked. She and her business partner, Jodi Hildebrandt, were sentenced to up to 30 years in prison in February 2024 after pleading guilty to four counts of aggravated child abuse. Now, Ruby's eldest daughter, Shari, is speaking out against a Lifetime movie about their family.
To recap, Ruby, 42, is a mom to Shari, Chad, Abby, Julie, Russell, and Eve. She rose to fame thanks to her YouTube channel, 8 Passengers, where she documented how she raised, homeschooled, and disciplined her children. And Shari is letting her feelings be known about the upcoming Lifetime TV film.
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On October 4, Shari, 21, took to her Instagram Story to issue a statement about the upcoming Lifetime TV movie Mormon Mom Gone Wrong: The Ruby Franke Story.
"I saw the trailer suddenly in class and had an anxiety attack," Shari wrote. "None of us were contacted about the movie. None of the proceeds are going to the kids."
Shari then made a bold declaration about the TV movie to her Instagram followers. "This movie is trash, and only hurts my siblings more," she concluded. "Please do not support this movie."
The Ruby Franke Story trailer was posted to YouTube on October 4, the same day Shari posted her response. For the true crime drama, Heather Locklear portrays Hildebrandt, Emilie Ullerup plays Ruby, and Josh Blacker plays Ruby's husband, Kevin, among others. The Lifetime TV movie premieres on October 26.
More from LittleThings: Ruby Franke's Husband Kevin Tried To Get Their Oldest Daughter Arrested In September
Viewers of the trailer reacted in the comments of the YouTube video.
One person wrote: "This is absolutely disgusting. Barely a year from these events occurring and a movie has been made. Without contacting the Franke family and children. Horrible. Just horrible. This movie should not be released!"
"Do not support this," another YouTube user commented. "The family was not aware of the making of this and no proceeds are going to the children. these kids are traumatized enough."
Meanwhile, someone else echoed: "YOU ARE HORRIBLE. To create this without the consent of the children who endured such abuse, let alone supporting them in anymeans is horrific. DO NOT SUPPORT THIS."
After Ruby was arrested in September 2023, Shari reacted to the news on Instagram. "Today has been a big day. Me and my family are so glad justice is being served," she wrote, reported People. "We've been trying to tell the police and CPS for years about this, and so glad they finally decided to step up."
Shari wrote a follow-up a month later, noting there were "not even words to describe how upside down my life has become."
"I’ve cried, had an infinite number of panic attacks, had way too much ice-cream, and yet life goes on," she shared with her Instagram followers. "Therapy has literally saved me, but God has too. My life is somehow becoming more beautiful and fulfilling, despite all the terrible things going on."
Shari added, "I’ve tried to live my life to the fullest the last few weeks, even though all I want to do is hide away in my apartment (I do have my days). Tomorrow is another big court day, and I’d appreciate your prayers and thoughts for my family and myself."
