C5 viewers outraged by 'unhinged' child abuse documentary: 'I hope Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt both rot in hell'
While dishing out advice to other parents, Ruby was subjecting her own children to horrifying abuse
Channel 5 documentary Our Evil Mother: The Ruby Franke Scandal has left true crime fans sickened to their core after exposing the crimes of the prolific child abuser.
The feature-length film, which went out on Tuesday (June 23, 2026) re-examined the truly horrifying case of a “popular influencer” who rose to fame sharing her parenting tips with more than two million followers. However, behind closed doors, she was a cruel and heartless mother, who subjected her own children to disgusting abuse.
While sharing videos of her so-called “perfect” family life online and dishing out advice to other parents, Ruby Franke was abusing her children. One police officer involved in the case said: “This is not parenting, this is not child abuse, this is child torture.”
After the documentary went out, viewers expressed their outrage at Ruby Franke’s crimes, as well as questioning her husband’s involvement, and her sentence.
‘I hope Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt both rot in hell’
Hundreds of viewers went online to share their sadness and disbelief over the Ruby Franke documentary on Channel 5.
One spoke for many when they wrote on X: “I just want to say that I hope Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt both rot in hell. How many people called CPS on Ruby Franke and they ignored it because she was internet famous?”
Another seethed: “You don’t hit your child, verbally abuse them, punish them by taking away water, food or housing. Deny them education or opportunities. Threaten them. Isolate them. Control them. Ruby Franke did all of these things to her kids. She hurt the youngest ones the most, she absolutely hated them. She thought they were infected with evil. Ruby starved them, used severe punishments to scare them into behaving, verbally abused them.”
A third added: “I’ve watched almost every single documentary on Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt. And I still don’t get how every sign of abuse was ignored until her two children are nearly killed. They need to suffer for what they did to them.”
“Ruby Franke and Jody Hildebrand are both so evil,” said another. “Ruby abused her children on YouTube, starving them, punishing them, and nearly killing them. The younger boy was emaciated, and had multiple lacerations on his legs. He is the hero who saved his siblings when he escaped from a window and asked a neighbour for help. I’m so disgusted by this whole case.”
One more fuming viewer said: “The Ruby Franke true crime documentary was wild. Making your kids perform for ad revenue is totally unhinged. It’s not surprising she eventually got caught for abusing them.”
Did husband Kevin Franke know?
Many others questioned the involvement of Ruby Franke’s husband Kevin. Although he separated from Ruby Franke towards the end of the abuse, he was around for some of the strict disciplines like withholding food. Kevin and Ruby are now divorced, and he has faced no charges.
One fan believes Kevin Franke should be held accountable. They wrote: “Watching the Ruby Franke documentary and it doesn’t even take a professional to know that the dad is playing an act. No tears whatsoever. And I’m not buying it. Bye.”
Another added: “Kevin Franke is a COWARD and poor excuse for a father for leaving those poor babies.”
A third said: In a phone call with Ruby, she told her husband Kevin that it’s so unnecessary to take the children to the hospital and that she’s being victimised. She says “this is a witch hunt”. I think Kevin needs to be held accountable for his participation in the abuse.”
Read more: New documentaries and true crime on TV and streaming in June 2026
