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Ruby Franke and her business partner Jodi Hildebrandt have been arrested. Franke was the face behind the now-defunct family YouTube channel "8 Passengers." 

The pair were arrested when her child was discovered with visible wounds and duct tape on their extremities. The child was also severely malnourished according to social services authorities. And required immediate medical attention and hospitalization.

Franke, known for her family-oriented content on YouTube, and Hildebrandt, her collaborator in relationship and parenting advice videos for Hildebrandt's life counseling service "ConneXions," were both taken into custody following the shocking findings.

The Santa Clara-Ivans Public Safety Department received a distress call regarding a juvenile in dire need of assistance. 

Further investigation led authorities to a residence nearby, where another child was discovered in a similar condition. Four children were placed under the care of the Department of Child and Family Services.

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8 passengers removed

Ruby Franke's rise to fame occurred through the "8 Passengers" YouTube channel, which featured her husband and six children. The channel, which had amassed a substantial following of nearly 2.3 million subscribers, was unexpectedly removed earlier this year. The reasons behind the channel's removal remain undisclosed.

Frankes' parenting approach, known for its strictness, has attracted both followers and critics. In the past, viewers reported them to Child Protective Services over concerns about their children's well-being. 

Their parenting decisions and practices, including a video where Ruby Franke withheld lunch from her child as punishment, have created controversy.

Eldest daughter Shari Franke, estranged from her immediate family, shared her reaction to her mother's arrest on Instagram. She expressed relief that justice was being served and conveyed her family's longstanding efforts to bring these concerns to the attention of authorities.

The arrest of Franke and Hildebrandt highlights the complex dynamics of online influencers and the blurred lines between personal lives and public personas. 

As the legal proceedings unfold, questions about the extent of responsibility of online influencers for their actions and the potential consequences of their content are likely to arise. The case serves as a reminder of the need for transparency and ethical considerations in the digital age.