Shari Franke, the eldest daughter of YouTuber Ruby Franke, recently spoke out against the upcoming Lifetime movie *Mormon Mom Gone Wrong: The Ruby Franke Story*, which dramatizes the events surrounding her mother’s child abuse conviction. Shari, now estranged from her mother, criticized the movie in a social media post, calling it “trash” and emphasizing its potential harm to her siblings.
Shari posted her reaction on Instagram after seeing the film’s trailer unexpectedly. She described how the moment triggered an “anxiety attack,” explaining, “I saw the trailer suddenly in class and had an anxiety attack. None of us were contacted about the movie. None of the proceeds are going to the kids.” Shari continued, “This movie is trash, and only hurts my siblings more,” before urging her followers, “Please do not support this movie.”
The film, starring Emilie Ullerup as Ruby Franke and Heather Locklear as her business partner Jodi Hildebrandt, chronicles the downfall of Ruby, who gained online fame as a family vlogger before her arrest in 2023. Both Ruby and Jodi were convicted of child abuse following a harrowing incident in which Ruby’s 12-year-old son escaped Hildebrandt’s home, visibly malnourished and bound, prompting police intervention.
Ruby’s arrest marked the culmination of years of alleged abuse, which Shari, in previous Instagram posts, claimed her family had tried reporting to authorities for a long time. Following the arrests, Shari had written, “Today has been a big day. Me and my family are so glad justice is being served. We've been trying to tell the police and CPS for years about this, and so glad they finally decided to step up.”
Shari’s criticism highlights a growing frustration among people directly impacted by true crime stories that are commercialized without consent. As true crime adaptations surge in popularity, the ethical considerations of dramatizing real-life traumas, especially involving minors, are increasingly scrutinized.
Ruby Franke’s case became a topic of national interest when her son’s escape revealed conditions of severe neglect and abuse. Prosecutors detailed how Ruby’s two youngest children were found in poor physical condition, sparking outrage and leading to Ruby and Jodi’s conviction and subsequent prison sentences. According to Shari, the ongoing media attention, now through Lifetime’s film, has made it difficult for her and her siblings to heal. “It only hurts my siblings more,” she reiterated.
As *Mormon Mom Gone Wrong: The Ruby Franke Story* approaches its October 26 premiere, Shari’s plea calls attention to the often-overlooked perspective of family members left to pick up the pieces. Her statement serves as a reminder of the ethical complexities surrounding such portrayals, particularly when minors are involved, and highlights the need for sensitivity in these adaptations.
The film’s creators have yet to respond publicly to Shari’s comments. Whether her message will impact the movie's viewership remains to be seen, but her words underscore the real-world impacts that these dramatizations can have on those closest to the story.
#RubyFranke #LifetimeMovie #ShariFranke #MormonMomGoneWrong #ChildAbuse #TrueCrime
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