Kevin Franke Claims He Knew Nothing

Hinzugefügt: 2026-05-22

[00:00:00]This is Kevin Frank, a father of six, a husband, one half of what millions of subscribers believed was the perfect American family. For years, Kevin and his wife Ruby Frank built an empire on YouTube under their channel, Eight Passengers, inviting the world into their home, their dinners, their vacations, their parenting moments. To their audience, they were wholesome, relatable, and real. But on August 30th, 2023, that carefully constructed image collapsed. That afternoon, Ruby Frank was arrested by the Washington County Sheriff's Office in Utah after her own malnourished child escaped from a neighbor's house, bound with rope, begging for help. The charges, aggravated child abuse. What investigators uncovered in the days that followed would shock even those who had long suspected something was deeply wrong. behind the camera. And on that very same day, the day his wife was taken into custody, Kevin Frank sat down with investigators for a 45minute interview. What he said, and perhaps more importantly, what he didn't know, raised serious questions of its own.

[00:01:15]Kevin told investigators that more than a year earlier, in July of 2022, his wife had asked him to leave their home and cut off all contact with their six children. He complied. For over a year, he claims he had virtually no knowledge of what was happening inside that house or what was happening to those kids. He attributed his removal to his own struggles, admitting to investigators that he had been dealing with personal addictions and issues surrounding pornography, reasons Ruby had used to justify pushing him out of the family entirely.

[00:01:51]So, how does a father go more than a year without seeing or speaking to his own children? How much did he truly not know? And when investigators finally sat him down to ask those very questions, what did his answers reveal? This is that interrogation.

[00:02:09]>> But, you know, I am entertaining the Miranda rightites. Before we start, we're just going to kind of ask you a few questions about your involvement.

[00:02:17]Okay. So first you have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be held against you in the court of law.

[00:02:24]Okay. You have the right to an attorney or to have him or her present while questioning. If you cannot afford to hire one, one will be afford or um hired to represent you. If you decide to answer questions, you can stop at any time. Okay. Do you understand your rights?

[00:02:40]>> Uh I do.

[00:02:42]>> Okay. Do you wish to speak to me now?

[00:02:45]Well, I want to pick up my kids. How >> about this? We're going to ask you some questions and if you don't want to answer them, you just say, "Hey, man.

[00:02:52]I'm not going to answer that."

[00:02:53]>> Sure.

[00:02:54]>> Just say, "Hey, I'm not going to talk.

[00:02:55]That's not beneficial to you." And then we're done. There's no way I'm going nowhere. And >> Sure. You understand that, right?

[00:03:01]>> Yes.

[00:03:02]>> Okay.

[00:03:04]>> Okay. So, just for starters, what was your full name?

[00:03:07]>> Kevin William Frankie.

[00:03:10]>> How do you spell that?

[00:03:12]K E V I N W I L L I A M F R A N K E >> and what's your birth >> what's a good address for you?

[00:03:33]>> Uh my well I'm not comfortable giving my address right now.

[00:03:38]>> Okay. But you do live in Springville?

[00:03:40]>> I do. How long have you lived in Springville for?

[00:03:43]>> Um, I moved there in 2007 with my family.

[00:03:48]So, >> how many?

[00:03:50]>> 17 years.

[00:03:51]>> 17. And how many kids do you have, Kevin?

[00:03:54]>> I have six kids.

[00:03:56]>> And what are their names?

[00:04:34]I can't remember.

[00:04:34]>> Some of them were teenagers, two adults.

[00:04:37]Yeah.

[00:04:38]>> So, are they all living with you or >> No, I haven't seen them for over a year.

[00:04:43]>> Any of them?

[00:04:45]>> No, none of them.

[00:04:47]>> For a year.

[00:04:48]>> Over a year. Okay. I've been in a separation >> from who?

[00:04:54]>> From my wife and family.

[00:04:56]>> What's your wife's name?

[00:04:57]>> Ruby.

[00:04:58]>> Ruby. When was the last time I saw Ruby?

[00:05:02]>> The last time I saw her?

[00:05:04]>> Yeah.

[00:05:05]>> Was um the 18th >> of >> of this month. We met to she requested me to sign over vehicles or the titles to the vehicles. The vehicle that she drives were all in my name.

[00:05:27]>> When's the last time you physically saw >> um the day that I moved out? July 24th, 2022.

[00:05:41]>> 24th of 2022.

[00:05:44]for July 25th. Joy, July 25th.

[00:05:47]>> So, it's my understanding that that at least >> home here in Kent and Ivans. Have you been to that home?

[00:05:57]>> No.

[00:05:57]>> You've not been to that home?

[00:05:59]>> Uh, no. I don't know. I don't know what's anything that's been going on.

[00:06:04]>> Like, this is good, man. Like, I would love to be able to help you out with this. And like I I'm seeing a light being cuz I'm I'm unaware of your involvement in in what's really going on. So for you to say that you're unaware of the status of your kids kind of makes I know that sounds kind of crummy to you, but it sounds kind of good to me. Like who lives in that home with your is it ex-wife? Is it currently a separated wife? Like who lives in that home with your children?

[00:06:34]>> To be honest, I don't know. I I know that she's there with um four of the children and our two older children have moved out.

[00:06:52]>> They're they're not at your home in Springville, >> but >> and I'm not trying to trip you up. I can see you're hesitant to talk to me. I understand that.

[00:07:00]>> Well, where where I live? No, I haven't seen them for over a year.

[00:07:05]Okay, that's tough. I can only imagine how that feels when I got kids and not seeing him for that long that that would tear a little piece of my heart out.

[00:07:20]>> Of age to drive. Does she drive?

[00:07:22]>> I don't know.

[00:07:24]>> Okay.

[00:07:26]>> Like I said, I don't I don't nothing is going on in their lives or anything going on. How did you find out that you needed to come here to 55 North Main Street?

[00:07:38]>> I received a message that I needed to come pick up my kids from a police department in Highlands.

[00:07:44]>> And who was that message from?

[00:07:47]>> Uh, well, I prefer not to say it right now.

[00:07:50]>> It would just help us a lot.

[00:07:52]>> I'll try to figure out who reached out to you cuz it makes sense that that would happen. I'm just not aware of anyone who did that from our department.

[00:07:59]>> Right. and and I'm not comfortable saying right now who reached out to me.

[00:08:04]>> Okay.

[00:08:05]>> Okay.

[00:08:06]>> So, you haven't seen any of your kids in over a year? You said >> that's correct.

[00:08:12]>> And then the last time you saw her, how old is she now?

[00:08:18]>> 15.

[00:08:20]>> She's 16.

[00:08:22]Okay. And then when all the kids left, Ruby took all of them.

[00:08:28]>> Oh, yeah. She stayed in the house and I moved up.

[00:08:31]>> Okay. And did you ever try to reach out to the kids, drop by the home or >> No.

[00:08:37]>> Was there >> I honored the no separation boundary that we agreed to.

[00:08:42]>> So what was your separation >> no contact boundary? Excuse me.

[00:08:46]>> Did you have a no contact order in place?

[00:08:48]>> Order?

[00:08:49]>> No, this was between my wife and I >> So what did Ruby ask of you when you separated?

[00:08:55]>> What did she ask of me? Did she ask you not to contact the kids?

[00:09:01]>> Ruby invited me to leave the home.

[00:09:04]>> Mhm.

[00:09:05]>> While I um thought about the the choices that I had made in my life and the way that I treated her.

[00:09:15]>> Okay.

[00:09:16]>> And so I left.

[00:09:18]>> And how long had you and Ruby been married before?

[00:09:21]>> We were married in 2000.

[00:09:24]>> So about 22 years.

[00:09:27]When we separated, we were going on 22 years. Yes.

[00:09:31]>> Okay. And during your marriage, how was how was disciplining your kids? How would you discipline your kids?

[00:09:41]>> Um, yeah, I'm not going to answer that question.

[00:09:46]>> Okay, that's fine.

[00:09:47]>> Have you been since separated or since they lived here in the city of Ivans?

[00:09:52]Um, have you communicated with your wife regarding like discipline with your kids or their care or their physical well-being?

[00:10:01]>> No.

[00:10:02]>> So, is she doing this on her own and just telling you how your kids are?

[00:10:07]>> She's not telling me anything about the kids.

[00:10:09]>> Who's this? Who's this uh female Jodie that your wife lives with? Do you do you know a female named Jodie?

[00:10:17]She is a a therapist and a life coach, I know.

[00:10:23]And she's >> Do you respect her?

[00:10:26]>> Uh, do I respect her? Yeah, I think she's a very honest, >> truthful person. Yes.

[00:10:32]>> Okay. You place value on Jodie?

[00:10:36]>> I don't know what that means.

[00:10:38]>> Like, do you do you you value what she says and and how she treats? Is your wife a client of hers? Is your wife a partner of hers? Is your wife a roommate with her? Your kids are living in her house is what I'm trying to say.

[00:10:54]>> I'm not aware of that. But I know that they've been in business for the last year filming.

[00:11:02]>> Who's they?

[00:11:04]>> Ruby and Jody. They film >> they film podcasts and so every week a podcast goes up and I listen to it.

[00:11:14]What's the name of it?

[00:11:15]>> Uh, connections with an X.

[00:11:18]>> Like C O N.

[00:11:21]>> C O M N E X I O N S. Yeah.

[00:11:25]>> And then like do you support them in that role in doing that and having >> do I support them in the business?

[00:11:32]>> Yeah. Like do you do you support them and think that what they're doing is a good thing or >> I support their business efforts. I think it's a good thing.

[00:11:40]>> Are you involved with their business efforts or >> No.

[00:11:44]From the moment investigators read Kevin Frank his Miranda rightites, the tone of his interrogation was carefully calculated. Detectives made clear early on cooperation was in his best interest.

[00:11:57]Yet Kevin's responses revealed a troubling pattern. A father who claimed to know almost nothing about his own children's lives for over a year. He honored a voluntary no contract agreement with no legal enforcement, raising an immediate question. Why would any parent willingly stay silent while their children disappeared from their life?

[00:12:18]>> That's a good thing.

[00:12:19]>> Are you involved with their business efforts or >> No. Okay.

[00:12:24]>> So, just Ruby and Jody?

[00:12:26]>> No.

[00:12:27]>> In the business?

[00:12:28]>> Yeah.

[00:12:28]>> Yes.

[00:12:29]>> Okay.

[00:12:30]>> And were you involved in the eight passengers account with your family? Um, yes. I was in the videos, if that's what you mean.

[00:12:40]>> I briefly learned about this a few hours ago.

[00:12:43]>> So, did Ruby more so do the videos for the family?

[00:12:48]>> Mhm.

[00:12:49]>> And how long did you guys do that for?

[00:12:54]uh she started the channel in 2015 and as far as as I'm aware from the time I left the last video she uploaded was towards the end of 2021 >> and I but I again I'm not aware of anything she's done since our separation. I don't visit faith pastor church anymore.

[00:13:21]>> Chapter of your life that's gone. It it it's a past chapter. Yeah.

[00:13:26]>> So, how do you and Ruby communicate?

[00:13:29]Just through text, phone call.

[00:13:31]>> Through text. And if there's anything considered an emergency, we agreed that we would communicate through a phone call.

[00:13:39]>> Okay. And do you know her phone number off the top of your head?

[00:13:44]off the top of my head. Uh, >> no.

[00:13:51]>> Okay, no worries. So, how often would you guys communicate while she was down here?

[00:13:59]>> Well, I don't know how often or long she was down here. We've communicated maybe four times in 2023 since January.

[00:14:15]So, >> are you aware of how she disciplines the kids or how she handles?

[00:14:20]>> No.

[00:14:20]>> The kids with behavioral issues or anything like that?

[00:14:23]>> No.

[00:14:23]>> So, you're unaware of how she does that?

[00:14:26]>> Yes.

[00:14:26]>> Okay. Are you aware of the physical condition of your children?

[00:14:31]>> No.

[00:14:34]No, I'm I've chosen to trust my wife with the children.

[00:14:40]That was part of the agreement of our separation.

[00:14:43]>> Is that you allow her to physically provide for the needs of the child?

[00:14:49]You're just removed from that or you pay support. I know this is personal questions, but >> No. Yes. My job is to financially provide for the >> I'm just trying to figure out like how how much of a role do you play in the caretaking of specifically of of those two kids >> I I pay the bills.

[00:15:14]>> Okay.

[00:15:14]>> With my my job I provide the money goes into a shared bank account and that's my only involvement.

[00:15:22]>> Okay. Um, like there's a whole bunch of things I want to talk to you about, but I I still can't get over the fact that someone notified you to come here to pick up your kids. My guess is was that was that uh Jody?

[00:15:38]>> I'm not going to answer that question.

[00:15:40]>> Okay.

[00:15:40]>> All All I'll say is >> you said you trusted her. You said that you think that she's not I asked you if you place value on her but you obviously >> she is an honest I know her to be an honest and a trustworthy individual and so yeah I trust her and um I received a communication that And so I left immediately from my job and drove down here. That's all I know.

[00:16:21]I've come to pick up my kids and to take them home with me.

[00:16:26]>> Yeah. Is there custodial paperwork that says that you're like a There's There's no custodial paperwork denying you of rights. Correct.

[00:16:35]>> Uh there's no custodial paperwork at all. Period. Those kids are yours.

[00:16:40]>> They are mine. Yes.

[00:16:43]We This was an just a verbal agreement between my wife and I when we said last year.

[00:16:53]>> What questions do you have?

[00:16:56]>> Well, I want to know what's going on and why I was asked to come down and pick up my two kids.

[00:17:03]Well, >> and a lot of that kind of hinges on who asks you because if we had been the one like I'm I'm not going to say you fit, but I'm I'm confident a cop didn't call you because we wouldn't have wanted you down here at this point in our investigation. So, having said that, I I think it's time we we be honest with you, right?

[00:17:23]>> Sure. No, and I didn't lie.

[00:17:26]Someone contacted me but I don't want to say >> from your office but okay.

[00:17:33]>> Uh well I don't recall saying someone from my office.

[00:17:36]>> Our office someone Yeah. So we don't know who called you.

[00:17:42]>> So if we knew who called you then we could help you.

[00:17:45]>> It would make more sense.

[00:17:47]>> But >> well I don't know the legal ramifications of implicating individuals who contacted me. And so without a lawyer here, I don't want to answer that question.

[00:17:57]>> That's okay. But here, you want to know specifics of the case, which we can't share right now because it's under investigation. So >> I see.

[00:18:05]>> Yeah. So we would like to ask questions about where you found out, but we'll respect that if you don't want to share that information. But I am curious. When you guys had the previous eight passengers YouTube channel, you guys got a lot of heat for neglect and child abuse. A lot of people commented those things on there. Why were they commenting those things?

[00:18:27]>> That's a good question. Um, we uh we had a son who was acting out in very selfish behavior.

[00:18:43]And you know, none of this is strange or odd. You could get on YouTube and find out all sorts of stuff on this.

[00:18:50]>> It's like a double-edged sword.

[00:18:51]>> Yes. The question What do you believe?

[00:18:53]Right there. There was even an article written in um Newsweek magazine in 2020 on it and or News was it Newsweek? No, Business Insider where we were interviewed and we were pretty straightforward and we talked about it and we shared our piece in that.

[00:19:13]Basically, it boils down to he was being um very cruel and mean to his siblings that he shared a room with. And so we removed him from the room. And we said, "You can sleep anywhere you want. Sleep on the couch, sleep on the pull out bed, sleep on the floor for all we care, but you're not sleeping in that room with your brother who um he chose to sleep on a bean bag. So 9 months later he had made a lot of changes in his life and he was ready to and and we had moved by that time and so we had a new house and he was ready to move into his own bedroom. made a video about it and in the video he mentioned something to the effect of I've been sleeping for nine months on a bean bag and that is what all the uproar was about. What did you guys do to help like with his behavioral issues? Is that is that something you and Ruby talked about together is and then did you helping you discover yourself and fix behavioral issues and things like that.

[00:20:40]Is that is that something you and Ruby sought out to help correct like some of the things?

[00:20:52]>> Yes. And >> okay, >> this exposed just how deliberately detached Kevin Frank had become from his own family. He openly admitted to having no knowledge of his children's physical condition, their discipline, or their daily lives, yet continued financially supporting the household without question. Most striking was his deflection when pressed about the YouTube controversy. Rather than showing concern, Kevin offered rehearsed justifications, suggesting a man far more practiced at managing perception than confronting the reality unfolding right in front of him. and okay >> and I supported it. And so together we held boundaries for our son to support his choosing honest and responsible choices. And when he chose honest and responsible choices consistently is when he began to get his privileges back. And that was >> that was the other right. And so um but yes um through 2000 contact with him because I'm honoring the nose contact separation boundary with uh that I agreed to with my wife.

[00:22:50]But I understand that he's um 18, living on his own somewhere in Provo and working and supporting himself.

[00:23:00]What other kids went down to visit Jod?

[00:23:04]>> What other kids?

[00:23:05]>> Yeah. Did you send any of the other kids down to spend time?

[00:23:09]>> We didn't sit down to spend time with Jod. They would meet on Zoom.

[00:23:13]>> Ah, that makes sense.

[00:23:15]>> Okay.

[00:23:15]>> Yeah. We were in Springfield.

[00:23:17]>> Uhhuh. Well, even in 2019, we would she would be with >> So, when did Ruby and Jody, to your knowledge, like decided to collaborate, come together and mesh life cuz that's what it's that's what's happened.

[00:23:36]>> Well, the they decided to start a business in 2021.

[00:23:43]>> So, while you while you and Ruby were together?

[00:23:47]>> Yes. Okay.

[00:23:49]>> Yeah. And but there were, you know, at that period it was pretty nebulous. I I don't know >> what's that word mean.

[00:23:56]>> It was it was just a lot of talk and everyone like solid plans. It was let's start by you know doing podcasts together and and then that's all I know.

[00:24:07]I know that uh they published a book together recently. You can find on Amazon. It's not a secret. Um, >> was business thriving? Like life was good between those two?

[00:24:22]>> Uh, well, not that I was aware.

[00:24:25]>> Well, at some point, and again, I'm not digging into your life, but I'm trying to understand this. At some point, >> we took kick you out. When you talk about a business, you know, thriving >> in terms of business and money, when when we stopped eight passengers on YouTube, we lost 90% of our income. So to say that business was thriving, um, in my perspective, no. Got it.

[00:24:54]>> I don't think it ever was.

[00:24:56]>> After that, >> was that part of your guys's reason for separation after you guys ended eight passengers?

[00:25:03]Uh was that part of the reason?

[00:25:06]Um, the the reasons are because of of ways that I treated my wife and um, and some um, of my own addictions that I was working through and seeking help on with. um with uh pornography.

[00:25:41]>> Thank you for sharing that.

[00:25:42]>> And I've Yeah, I've made some wonderful progress.

[00:25:47]>> Like is that something you came to the realization that you needed help weren't doing things right or is that something that like Jody helped you guys recognize that maybe Ruby needed more? I'm trying to understand her involvement in your guys's life.

[00:26:02]>> Um she's my focus. I just be honest.

[00:26:06]>> I understand and I I can perceive that um Jod and Ruby have a um a close relationship and and Jody saw the need for me to get help and um frankly I agree. I the space um has been exactly what I need to face, you know, my own um addictions and and receive the support and help that I've needed. And so this space has been um very very good for me. Yeah.

[00:26:45]>> So, when you stated that you and Ruby had this no contact that you guys just verbally agreed upon, was that an idea given by Jodie that she recommended you guys have that space and not contact one another?

[00:26:59]>> I'm not aware of that. it the the invitation for me to leave and take space was from my wife.

[00:27:07]>> But that was while Jody and Ruby were friends and collaborating and doing podcasts and Sure.

[00:27:19]>> Well, you're the you're the custodial parent of each other. I don't see why we can't explain to you what why you were involved.

[00:27:28]So, I don't recall the exact time, but sometime before 11:00 today, we received uh a phone call from 911 on our dispatch that uh a 12 to 13year-old boy was knocking on doors in a neighborhood asking for food and water. That he was severely emaciated. That he had >> What does emaciated mean? skinny, scrawny, uh, malnutritioned, not enough food, not enough water to sustain life.

[00:28:03]So, he had >> I'm sorry, what?

[00:28:05]>> He had duct tape on his extremities, on his hands, on his ankles, and those were covering rope burns that were used to tie him down.

[00:28:20]Take a second and think about what I just said.

[00:28:25]That's the condition of your son.

[00:28:32]Given that information, your son was taken to the hospital.

[00:28:38]A warrant has been applied and granted by the Department of Child and Family Services to remove both from your wife's care.

[00:28:51]So, no one right now is going to have access to these two children based on their physical condition.

[00:28:59]Do you understand that?

[00:29:02]>> I understand.

[00:29:03]>> Do you would you condone that behavior?

[00:29:08]>> Would I condone that behavior? Um, >> that's my job. My job is to find out your knowledge of the treatment of these these >> based on precious.

[00:29:18]>> No, I bet again I don't know the details or I don't know what's going on, but as you describe that that sounds >> horrible, disgusting. No human being should be treated like that.

[00:29:32]>> I Yeah. Okay, >> that's my thoughts. But again, we might be different on that. Um, we're going to let you sit here for a second. Okay, we're going to go out and talk. Um, I'm not saying you're you're still not free to go. Are you under arrest?

[00:29:54]Absolutely not. We just have lots of questions that we need to figure out.

[00:29:58]Lots.

[00:29:59]>> Okay.

[00:30:00]>> Okay. Because >> your your children are under medical care right now.

[00:30:05]>> And what does that mean? And it means that you don't have access to them. My understanding is that they are what is that?

[00:30:10]>> They're in the custody of DCFS >> and they will be for the next seven >> there's a medical hold on them right now. So for at least the next 72 hours >> based on our understanding >> at least the next 7.

[00:30:26]>> They're in observation. They're being watched.

[00:30:28]>> DCFS is going to provide you that information and they can better answer your questions along those lines. that's handled through them.

[00:30:37]>> Okay. So, we'll be back.

[00:30:38]>> So, I want you to think about some things, though.

[00:30:41]>> I don't know. Listen to me. Listen to me.

[00:30:48]>> I want you to think about that for a minute.

[00:30:52]I have no idea where they're at.

[00:30:54]>> Well, I don't either, but um Okay, we're going to hop out here. We'll be back in a minute. Okay, that's still >> This is where the interrogation reaches its most devastating moment. After nearly 25 minutes of Kevin Frank framing his absence as a noble act of self-improvement, investigators dropped the truth like a hammer. His son had been found malnourished, bound with rope, duct tape covering the wounds on his wrists and ankles. For the first time, Kevin's carefully composed answers gave way to silence. The space he called healing had become his children's nightmare.

[00:31:37]>> What's going to happen to my wife? I love my wife.

[00:31:42]>> I don't know. I'm being honest with you.

[00:31:44]I don't know.

[00:31:46]Haven't had any charges against my wife.

[00:31:50]>> Possibly.

[00:31:56]I think given the circumstances that's highly appropriate, but again, I don't know your wife. I was hoping to gain some insight from you, but I don't necessarily know that that's something you wanted to.

[00:32:12]>> I trust her.

[00:32:13]>> A road you wanted to travel down with me. So, >> and not without legal representation.

[00:32:18]>> Yeah. All right. I get it.

[00:32:20]>> But I love my wife and I trust my wife.

[00:32:23]And so I mean this feels like getting run over by a steam truck while you're sharing with me today.

[00:32:29]>> Yeah, I can tell you're caught off guard.

[00:32:33]>> I thought I was just coming here to pick up my kids and for what? I don't know what or why, but and I was planning on taking them back with me and just I mean I'd love to have a candid conversation with you. I just don't know how it's going to be received by you. I don't know you, but I can tell you my perception of how this happened.

[00:32:57]>> Well, tell you that. It's >> Look, I'm interested in facts, but at the same time, I'm >> I'm I'm interested in all the facts.

[00:33:10]>> But you understand our facts. Our facts are that you have a child that is emaciated malnutrition and and has marks. I I didn't spend any time with her. Sergeant Tobler did.

[00:33:29]>> Did any of you spend time with her?

[00:33:31]>> You didn't spend time. I >> have not. She went to >> She was requested to go to the hospital along with based on their condition.

[00:33:49]Folks, I don't know what to do.

[00:33:54]Like, I want to You realize that I have a picture of my family on my wall and I look at it every day and I work. I work every day so I can get back to my family and save my family. And everything you're sharing to me just sounds like a madeup story.

[00:34:21]Like I I have no idea what you're talking about. Like this just it sounds like a horror movie.

[00:34:57]And I get you're all you're all doing your jobs. I get it.

[00:35:04]I understand.

[00:35:08]And this is this is my life.

[00:35:18]I just want my kids.

[00:35:24]I just want my kids. I just want my family.

[00:35:40]I don't I don't know what's going on. I I don't know why these things that you described happened. I I don't know.

[00:35:54]It's almost like I want to say I I'm sorry. You must have somebody else because it's like am I in the right conference room here? No, >> that's what I like. It's real. You know, I'm having a hard time accepting this and dealing with this.

[00:36:27]I mean, you're telling me you're taking my kids from me, >> like we need to transfer the titles of the car to my name, you know, or um we're going to cancel these credit cards and and stuff like that. So, just stuff related to the finances really is the our only communications over the past year.

[00:36:53]>> Sure. We we've had zero like zero communications regarding the kids.

[00:37:00]>> Okay.

[00:37:02]>> I've had no reason to believe or think that there was anything going on. For all intents and purposes, I woke up this morning looking at the picture of my family and making my commitment today as I do every day that I'm going to live an honest, a virtuous, and a responsible life.

[00:37:24]today.

[00:37:25]>> And what you're sharing with me just feels like a sucker punch.

[00:37:40]And just imagine, Brianna, you have questions. Okay.

[00:37:47]>> If I still have a family.

[00:37:48]>> Yeah.

[00:37:50]And um like I just um I I don't know what my plan I plan to go to God.

[00:38:09]>> Sure.

[00:38:09]>> And I figured this out, >> right?

[00:38:12]And um I am just heartbroken what you all are sharing with me and um I just I feel like I feel responsible.

[00:38:41]That radio feeling hurts.

[00:38:58]And the um I wish I was a better husband.

[00:39:34]I know you're all doing your jobs and I know you all have the best interest of my kids at night.

[00:39:43]I appreciate that.

[00:39:46]>> Thank you. Thanks. That means a lot.

[00:39:50]>> I just want my kids back. I want my family back. Want my wife back.

[00:40:09]Okay, I don't want this to sound rude, Kevin.

[00:40:18]We've got some things to do, but we're not kicking you out, but the building's closed.

[00:40:25]Okay, you're going to be okay driving home? I really am worried about you. Okay. Okay.

[00:40:37]Do do your best. Breathe. Got to pull over the side of the road.

[00:40:44]>> Do you drink Red Bulls?

[00:40:46]>> In the interrogation's closing moments, Kevin Frank unraveled, declaring his love for Ruby, calling the evidence a horror movie, and questioning whether he was even in the right room. His reactions walked a fine line between genuine shock and carefully performed disbelief. Yet beneath the emotional collap, one admission cut through everything. He said he felt responsible.

[00:41:12]For a man who spent 45 minutes claiming to know nothing, that single word spoke volumes about what he may have chosen not to see. After this, the interrogation ended, but the case was far from over. On December 18th, 2023, less than four months after that conversation in the sheriff's office, Ruby Frank pleaded guilty to four counts of aggravated child abuse. Jodie Hildebrandt followed days later, also pleading guilty to four counts. What investigators uncovered was beyond what most could imagine. The children had been held in a work camp-like setting, regularly denied food, water, and beds to sleep in. They were forced to carry heavy boxes, sit against walls for hours without a chair, and perform manual labor outdoors in extreme summer heat without shoes. The investigation concluded that religious extremism had motivated the abuse. The women genuinely believed the punishment was necessary to help the children repent for imagined sins and cast out evil spirits. On February 20th, 2024, both women stood before a judge. Ruby Frank told the court, "For the past four years, I've chosen to follow counsel and guidance that has led me into a dark delusion. My distorted version of reality went largely unchecked, as I would isolate from anyone who challenged me. Judge John J. Walton sentenced both Ruby Frank and Jodie Hildebrandt to the maximum penalty available under Utah law, four consecutive terms of 1 to 15 years with the Utah Board of Pardons and Parole determining the exact length of their imprisonment. Kevin Frank filed for divorce in November 2023. He was never charged with a crime. As for the children, they were returned to their father's care. And somewhere behind those closed doors of that interrogation room, a man who spent 45 minutes saying he knew nothing now had to live with the weight of everything he didn't ask. The cameras were off, the channel was gone, and the family that millions thought they knew never really existed at all.