Revealed: Chad Franke Shares Diary, Mother Sentenced to 60 Years

At a Glance

• Chad Franke opens up on TikTok, reading diary entries from 2023.
• His mother, former YouTuber Ruby Franke, was sentenced to up to 60 years in prison for aggravated child abuse.
• The series has drawn over 857,200 viewers, sparking discussions about family dynamics and abuse.

Why it matters: It gives a raw look at a family’s troubled history while highlighting the ongoing legal repercussions for Ruby Franke.

In his first video, Chad said, “Hi, my name is Chad, and I used to be very brainwashed.” He added, “And no, I am not kidding. You can look me up.” The clip was posted to a platform that now hosts over 857,200 followers who requested a book about his story.

Chad explained he had written daily journal entries while living with his mother. He said, “While I was in that phase of my life, I journaled every single day.” He promised to read entries from 2023, offering an honest look at his experiences.

He read a 2023 entry dated January 22, 2023 titled “Call With Mom.” In it, he described a Sunday spent at church, playing Mario Kart, and cooking “funeral potatoes.” He added, “We talked for two hours about removing lust. It’s a little more complicated and difficult than I thought.”

Chad also listed his goals for the week: Scripture study, traveling to work, finishing a finance book, completing a 12-hour Python coding course, and cooking. He clarified that not all of his experiences were negative, stating, “Scripture study, not bad. Cooking, obviously not bad.”

Legal Backdrop and Family Turmoil

Ruby Franke began her online career in 2015 with the YouTube channel 8 Passengers, featuring her children Shari, Chad, Abby, Julie, Russell, and Eve. The channel gained over two million followers and billions of views.

In 2022, Ruby partnered with controversial family therapist Jodi Hildebrandt to launch a podcast and Instagram account called “Moms of Truth.” The duo promoted extreme parenting and discipline views. Ruby moved into Hildebrandt’s home in Ivins, Utah, while her husband Kevin and the family lived in Springville, often leaving teenage daughters Abby and Julie alone for weeks.

After Ruby’s arrest in 2023, Kevin filed for divorce three months later. The divorce was finalized in March 2025, granting Kevin full custody of the four minor children, as confirmed by the divorce agreement obtained by News Of Los Angeles.

In February 2025, Kevin, Chad, and Shari appeared in the Hulu docuseries Devil in the Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke, sharing their experiences with Ruby.

Chad’s Present and Future

In fall 2025, Chad announced his wedding to Kamryn Anderson on Instagram. He posted a photo of the couple holding hands and wrote, “She’s Mrs. Franke now… pray for her.🤍 will post all of our amazing wedding details this week!”

The marriage marks a new chapter for Chad, who has been open about his past and the challenges he faced. His TikTok series continues to attract viewers who want to understand the impact of his upbringing.

The public nature of Chad’s posts has sparked conversations about the long-term effects of abusive parenting. News Of Los Angeles has reported that viewers are calling for more resources for survivors and for greater accountability of public figures.

Key Takeaways

• Chad Franke is using TikTok to share a year-long diary, offering a candid look at his life before his mother’s conviction.
• Ruby Franke’s sentencing to up to 60 years in prison underscores the severity of her alleged abuse.
• The family’s story has spanned YouTube, podcasts, a Hulu docuseries, and now a public wedding announcement.
• The series has engaged over 857,200 viewers, highlighting ongoing public interest in the Franke family’s past and present.

Chad’s openness may help others who have endured similar situations find a voice and support.