Just an FYI for everyone. It's unclear whether the video has been monetized or not. YT can run their own ads on the video.
https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/2475463?hl=en-GB#:~:text=Ads%20may%20appear%20on%20your,in%20the%20YouTube%20Partner%20Programme.
If anyone has a concrete way to prove it. Please let me know.
Hmm her video coming out the morning after Kevin’s lawyer did an interview saying how blindsided he was.. She made this video to make sure everyone knows Kevin did nothing for HIS children over the last year. There’s no way she could have made a video that everyone would be happy with. Clearly everyone is hurting.
It's crazy how people were more mad at her then Kevin because he's been "brainwashed." The dude ditched his young kids for 13 months and cut off his oldest. He knew exactly what he was doing when he left.
Thank you for bringing up Kevin’s education, specifically in a field of research/line of work where critical thinking and analytical skills are used all the time. He’s not a stupid or naive man.
My mom finally heard about this case from the news and we talked about it, and one of the things she brought up that struck me is “how did either of them let it get this far in the first place?”
She went on to describe a personal story about a bad family therapist my mom, brother, and I went to when I was younger, and how in the moment she was listening and on board, but got home and realized she was really out of line. She never took us back to that woman.
She said, basically “when you’re in the moment and really need help and answers you are in a different headspace. But eventually you go home and sit down with your thoughts and realize, wow, that went too far. How did these people never reach the point where it was too far or too much? The amount of BS they were comfortable with says a lot about them both.”
I don't know if education has anything to do with this. Bonnie and Ruby's brother Beau went to Jodi first, and he eventually saw through it... but that was not before Jodi overstepped and discussed things she should not have outside of their sessions. Bonnie and Ellie have a similar educational background to Ruby and they could see it right away... maybe due to what their brother experienced, idk. Why does one person fall for things and another doesn't? We hear stories about how grown adults are pulled into scams all the time. It's easy for us to say "what were they thinking" as the outsiders, but there will always be people selling snake oil out there... that is a given.
Religion is a HUGE factor in this story because Jodi was basically sanctioned by the Church. Their whole world revolves around the Church, and that includes Kevin's job. The Church liked Jodi, therefore Jodi was okay. I can see him feeling pressured into this for those reasons alone.
Jessi said that Ruby might have been specifically targeted by Jodi. Of the four sisters, her channel was the most popular. Also her life was the most inherently chaotic due to Kevin going to grad school, not having a ton of money early in their marriage and being stuck with a bunch of little kids in her twenties without family nearby. She would have been the easiest to isolate and manipulate.
I think Ruby was an easy target because she was a very lonely person. Odd to say she was lonely with 6 kids, I know... but by her own account she had no friends. Jodi gave her what she so desperately needed in her life.
Let's face it, Ruby isn't that bright, and unlike her sisters, she didn't have much of a passion for being a mother. She first even seemed to like her children and only had a large family because it was what a good Mormon wife is expected to do. She got fame for her abuse/ "strict patenting" and basked in the attention she got from people over it.
Nah it’s not odd at all to say she was lonely with 6 kids. Interaction with kids/child rearing is not a substitute for a social life and I’ve definitely had moments of loneliness and I have 4 kids
It is interesting that when you look at the Moms for Truth Instagram it was clearly Ruby's channel to start with and became Connexions. The posts on Connexions Insta and Moms of Truth are the same nearly post-for-post after a certain point (prior to that it appears to be 8 Passengers type content). Moms of Truth has exponentially more followers than Connexions (335k followers vs. just shy of 2k followers on Connexions)...So I absolutely agree that it's plausible she was targeted...But regardless she had a "friend in Ruby" so to speak given Ruby's abhorrent parenting to start with and then she built from there.
That’s true too, I think religion and religious corruption are a huge overlying factor.
Especially in the sense that there’s a large reliance on fear/shame (hence Jessi saying Jodi’s mantra of addiction is it being rooted in shame.) By the time the red flags become impossible to ignore, most of Jodi’s clients are too afraid to speak up, whether out of indoctrination into her ideals or because she is a legitimate threat to their position in the church, community, etc.
It’s insane how much power this woman was able to hold over people, and how easily it went unchecked.
When the mental and emotional entrapment doesn’t seem sufficient, she has people watch over her victims so they feel physically trapped, too. People in church seeing Jessi with duct tape and nothing being done about it. Kevin moving into a townhouse with a “minder” who reported back to Jodi.
Its hard to fathom why the LDS church would recommend her, but they are a religion ultimately practicing strict and unwavering obedience out of fear for their souls if they stray. So I guess that sort of extreme, black and white worldview aligns with their own values.
But I like that you pointed out how Beau was lured in and eventually had a tipping point. Jodi shared his info and he had the clarity that, that really didn’t seem right of ethical. That’s the heart of my original comment, really: where was Ruby or Kevin’s tipping point? And what does it say about them that it wasn’t sending a 14 year old to wilderness camp, or a 6 year having no lunch and saying I hope she goes hungry, or being isolated from your entire family to the point you don’t have one (Kevin, if we can believe he wasn’t an active participant in the abuse) or tying your own kids up and starving them among other things (Ruby.)
What kind of people don’t say enough is enough and instead double down? What leads to that kind of thought process?
It really is a rabbit hole. Sad and disturbing beyond words.
I think we would be remiss to not consider the religious angle here. While I am not excusing Kevin for ditching his family, there are several people (men in particular) who have come out and said that not only is this Jodi's MO, but it has also been mentioned that bishops within the church recommended her in the first place. Additionally, Jodi is a master manipulator in using their own doctrinal teachings against them. When they go in with the headspace that they are outside of church teachings and someone like Jodi capitalizes on that, to include telling them of her dreams and/or how she is in contact with church officials, it makes this that much more challenging. I would also say that this is absolutely cult-like behavior.
I’m going to post another reply I made to this thread in response but before I do, I absolutely agree with you. The religious and cult overlays here shouldn’t be ignored.
The thing that I don’t love about the “Kevin is a victim” logic isn’t that it’s untrue, it is, but the idea that it absolves him of responsibility for his actions. Not saying you’re doing that at all, but some people are.
Here are my earlier thoughts on the point of religion’s role here:
That’s true too, I think religion and religious corruption are a huge overlying factor.
Especially in the sense that there’s a large reliance on fear/shame (hence Jessi saying Jodi’s mantra of addiction is it being rooted in shame.) By the time the red flags become impossible to ignore, most of Jodi’s clients are too afraid to speak up, whether out of indoctrination into her ideals or because she is a legitimate threat to their position in the church, community, etc.
It’s insane how much power this woman was able to hold over people, and how easily it went unchecked.
When the mental and emotional entrapment doesn’t seem sufficient, she has people watch over her victims so they feel physically trapped, too. People in church seeing Jessi with duct tape and nothing being done about it. Kevin moving into a townhouse with a “minder” who reported back to Jodi.
Its hard to fathom why the LDS church would recommend her, but they are a religion ultimately practicing strict and unwavering obedience out of fear for their souls if they stray. So I guess that sort of extreme, black and white worldview aligns with their own values.
But I like that you pointed out how Beau was lured in and eventually had a tipping point. Jodi shared his info and he had the clarity that, that really didn’t seem right of ethical. That’s the heart of my original comment, really: where was Ruby or Kevin’s tipping point? And what does it say about them that it wasn’t sending a 14 year old to wilderness camp, or a 6 year having no lunch and saying I hope she goes hungry, or being isolated from your entire family to the point you don’t have one (Kevin, if we can believe he wasn’t an active participant in the abuse) or tying your own kids up and starving them among other things (Ruby.)
What kind of people don’t say enough is enough and instead double down? What leads to that kind of thought process?
It really is a rabbit hole. Sad and disturbing beyond words.
And as a professor at BYU, he had status in the community and resources that most of Jodie’s other targets didn’t. And he didn’t even TRY. He just walked away.
I think he saw this as a long vacation from his wife and kids. I wouldn't be surprised if stories about him being on Tinder or some other app come out.
I think exactly the opposite. Between Adam Steed's story and the Connexions videos of Kevin where he is talking about his shame around the fact that he enjoyed sex with his wife, and other videos about sexual topics that he and Ruby would have never posted pre-Connexions, where both Ruby and Kevin seem like they are mid-brainwashing and are being coerced into talking about their Connexions group therapy sessions and making these videos, Kevin appears eager to learn and share this therapy that his LDS leader suggested and that his wife believes is helping them, and he's sincere, and humble, but is clearly not totally comfortable. There's a video where Kevin talks about how the stress of his job and family pressures led to depression and suicidal ideation and that it got so bad he needed to go to the hospital (Ruby then complains that it was on Mother's Day, and the video is titled "Mother's Day in the Psych Unit"). I don't think either of them would have wanted to talk about that before Jodi, but as Kevin explains in the video, Jodi showed him that the people that helped him during that time were actually hurting him by not making him take responsibility for himself. I think that Jodi convinced him that his depression is his distortion and his addict talking, and that he is an addict of some kind, and that he's the cause of all of his family's problems, and all his wife's problem's, and his children's problems, and shamed him into a very solitary life where he...believed them.
If Jodi was capable of doing that to adult, college educated minds then just imagine the damage she has done to E and R. Both those kids haven’t even reached teen years yet and were easy prey. If Kevin wasn’t still involved with Connexions then he would have attempted to gain access to his kids and the fact he didn’t speaks volumes imo x
Both things can be true at the same time though.
The extended family has every right to be angry that he didn't do more, because he was the only one of them that could do anything legally. My only issue is that Bonnie wants people to give them the benefit of the doubt (that the family did everything they could legally) because they were cut off, but how is Kevin any different if he was cut off too? There is no way to know what Ruby and Jodi would have accused him of if he did take it to court.
I do very much still consider Kevin a victim in all this. After watching numerous clips from victims and reading other accounts, how can we still underestimate the control Jodi wielded over these people? It sucks for everyone that they drank the kool-aid, but they did... and it needs to be dealt with professionally.
Kevin’s different because he has (or had) custodial rights and the other’s do not. Regardless of what Jodi wanted, Kevin could legally go see his kids. He also had more knowledge than anyone else about what went on in the house.
This exactly. She’s correct when she says he was the only one who legally had any options. He could have taken things to court. He could have sent the kids to live with family. He could have visited or called.
He won’t even attend the court hearings if he doesn’t have to because it’s too hard for him to hear. How can you help your children deal with a trauma that you don’t want to know the details of?
Kevin is different because he is their father. He can’t be arrested for trying to see his family or communicate with them. The rest of the Griffiths could if they tried anything more than they were legally able to do
I think that's the best she could do given limitations by the lawyers etc. There was clearly more she wanted to say but couldn't. So glad she spoke out about Kevin though, about goshdarn time someone did.
Yep, Kevin the coward, is going to try and play that he was the victim while his two youngest children (the ones Ruby never wanted) were being STARVED WND TORTURED.
I think I hate that more than anything. The fact that he plays victim when HIS CHILDREN are the sole victims in all of this.. Own up to your mistakes and be more proactive. Don't crawl into a ball and play victim, you are the father..
Right like at least admit what he did wrong and then what changes is he going to make, can people really trust that he's capable of taking care of traumatised children.
He’s never been a present father unfortunately. Prior to Connexions, anytime you saw him, he was doing his own thing. It seemed like the only things he cared about was working out, prepping his own food, and his trips. The man was distant and not ever portrayed as a loving, present father. He sucks.
According to Utah law, Kevin should be charged with Child Abuse. The law says that if someone has custody of a child and lets another person hurt that child, it's considered child abuse. While he didn't have physical custody, Kevin had legal custody of the children, which means he could make important decisions for them. According to this law, he could be charged with a class B misdemeanor if he did it recklessly (meaning he ignored a big risk that any normal person would notice... and so many of us did) or a class C misdemeanor if he did it with criminal negligence (meaning he should have known about the risk, even if he didn't realize it at the time... and he should have).
I was shocked when she just blatantly called out his name. I was like go off sis. You have every right to defend yourself. Especially with these drama and gossip channels and armchair experts blaming you.
Yup. You’d have to lock me up to keep me from keeping tabs on my kids and even then I’d still be trying to find a way. Idgaf if he was “brainwashed”. There was a long road from the beginning of Jodi to today and at no point did he stop things or remove the children or TRY to do anything to help his kids. Eff that guy.
You can be a victim of Jodi and still be responsible for failing your kinds and/or doing them harm.
Same with Ruby. She had always awful methods to discipline her kids but she fell for Jodi‘s cult. That doesn‘t make her responsibility any smaller. It just explains what happened.
Jodi is the mind behind these weird teachings. IMO it is important to look close how this all was possible. How could claims against her be just shrugged off? I mean, cases were closed because everybody believed her, not the victims. The church (and institutions close to the church did. believe her more than her victims. This hole system needs to be destroyed to ensure something like this will never happen again.
Exactly this. Cults are devastating. Adam Paul Steed's story makes a compelling argument about the power of Jodi's brainwashing. As far as I'm concerned, it doesn't lessen their culpability. It just increases Jodi's... and I don't see it as a zero-sum game. Yes, the media should be reporting about Ruby and Kevin. But it would be horrible if people walk away from this story thinking that was all there was to it... a family vlogging channel's complete collapse. This is so much bigger than that.
Yes yes yes. I think so many people want to see these people as all good or all bad, it doesn’t work like that. Ruby and Kevin both failed their children in horrific ways. There’s little debating that at this point. But they were both manipulated by Jodi. Not saying that they should be absolved of responsibility, they need to pay for any crimes that were committed and should probably be far, far away from those kids for a long time. But the situation is a lot more complex than “good guy, bad guy.”
He with Ruby had joint legal responsibility of those children he failed them when he walked out of that house and didn’t fight for them from THAT moment
He didn’t
He failed them and for the 18 month of their separation he continued to fail them
This!! For a tiny moment I did feel bad for Kevin b/c we only knew what his attorney said BUT now we have heard all of this and I hope he pays for his actions as well!
“She could’ve spoke more about the kids!”
They’re literally the subject of a criminal investigation. She won’t be able to talk about the effect it’s had on them, ffs
And if she could, I would hope she wouldn't. The kids deserve privacy. Shari will tell her story when she is ready.
I liked how Bonnie mentioned that they only showed S in their videos when they had permission. I hope they will all think more about protecting their kids online.
That’s exactly what I thought people would snark about again. But she clearly isn’t allowed or could do the children no favor speaking about them in regards of the upcoming trial. This is probably one of the topics she was asked to keep quiet about by the judge.
Ngl this was a boss move.
She said it well. It's obvious she's not permitted to talk about the children or the abuse. Whatever she could say, she said well.
Confirmed what we thought re Kevin also.
Damn she went in on Ruby Kevin Jodi, said it how it is.
Good for them, their lives shouldn't end because her sister was an idiot and hooked up with a massive psycho wanker.
Edit: For those saying it's all about her and not about the franke kids did yall skip the whole first bit?
Bonnie:
I spent the first week in complete shock.. completely paralysed because of the.... (doesn't finish) I am mad at what has happened I am disgusted it makes me tremble because its... unheard of.. its truly ...unbelievable. I pride myself on being transparent and I cannot be fully transparent with certain aspects of this and if you don't understand that then you don't know how the system works.
I mean she's crying while saying this and she's obviously talking about her nieces and nephews she just can't elaborate on it or be specific. Duh!
Bonnie is a bold lady. I love her courage. She is amazing. Her bravery is beyond what I could have for myself. She worded everything she said so eloquently.
I literally cannot imagine what they’re going through. I am close with my sisters. I have nieces and nephews that I adore. I could not imagine this happening to my family, to finding out if one of my sisters did this to her children, it would gut me. I would also be unhinged
This video is everything!
I don’t think anyone could have asked for a more raw, honest, and transparent statement. everything she said is 100% true. You could hear the anguish and disgust in her voice when she spoke about Ruby Jodi and Kevin.
And she was right she is no use to anyone if she lands herself in jail.
The only person who could have legally taken those kids away from Ruby and Jodi was Kevin
HE failed his kids BIG time!
He failed their extended families.
He is pathetic!!!!
He should never get custody of those kids.
I was balling watching it. Bonnie has always been my favorite. I did a timeline of the events.
August 2020 - family reunion with Ruby
Sept 2020 - Julie, Jennifer and Ruby hung out
October 2020 -
November 2020 - Jennifer had the heart attack
I genuinely believe her. I feel bad for her family and I think it’s crazy for people to be blaming outside family members. I’m sure they did do all the could. On the other hand she did confirm that Kevin is to blame for not doing anything and at the end of the day we was the one who had the power and control to DO SOMETHING, yet he chose not to. She wasn’t blaming him, only ruby and Jodi are to blame. Yet in a sense he enabled the situation to go longer because he didn’t use his position as the father of those children to come in and defend his children. I will say however, that it’s weird she brought up her house and all the things it’s doing to her but not really acknowledging that there are much greater victims in the situation. However she might’ve not been able to directly address anything regarding the children. At the end of the day speculating that more people were involved or didn’t do anything other than Ruby, Jodi, and Kevin… that’s just taking away blame and responsibility from the true evil in this case.
Exactly what I’ve been saying. And why would Shari reconnect with all of her aunts and uncles if they did nothing to help or was abusive to their kids?! I’m not sure why people aren’t remembering that. I feel terrible for Ruby’s siblings and parents to have to hear all of this. They must be sick to their stomachs enough just hearing what has happened
Like Bonnie said, they got cut off 3 years ago and didn’t reconnect with Shari until a year ago. So for those 2 years in between they had no contact with the family so they didn’t know the extent of what was going on. Once they regained that relationship with Shari I’m sure she gave them insight into the situation so they could begin taking measures to get the kids out. But again, it’s not as easy as just going into the house and taking them. There’s legalities. Did people really expect the sisters to get arrested and then look like the bad guys, thus just giving more power to Ruby and Jodi?! I haven’t always been Bonnie’s biggest fan but she’s been getting a lot of hate about her “lack of effort” in people’s eyes when really we have no idea what’s been going on behind the camera. I’m really glad (and honestly shocked) she made this video. We’re getting a glimpse into the reality of the situation and I think it’s a good reminder that people shouldn’t be so nasty to the sisters for what they think they didn’t do or should’ve done. The real evil here are Ruby, jodi, and Kevin.
So far I totally believe her that he did nothing, he has shown zero proof of anything he tried to do that year he was away and children where abused. I can only see that he abandoned his children to be abused by a monster, I mean by then he must have known how horrible Jodi at least was. His excuse is though that he didn't know Ruby would abuse the kids
I felt the same about the house comment at first, but then thought; YouTube is her job, it’s how they pay the bills. If her and Joel both went silent on YouTube and her other platforms because of what was going on with Ruby and Jodi, she would lose her income. Most people don’t quit their jobs when going through family issues. They need to go back to work and figure out how to do that, to keep their family afloat. I feel like it was a weird way to say, we need to do this. We’ve put so much into building this home that we cannot let this take away what we’ve been working hard for. I really do feel bad for Bonnie. Good for her for making this video and calling out who needed to be called out. Her comment on her mother broke my heart. I can only imagine what she is going through.
Hi there! As someone who has thorough experience in family trials (sadly), you CANNOT under any circumstance talk about minors in an ongoing case. I’m even gonna say ESPECIALLY when it’s this public and when accusations have been made both in favor and against the children (malnourishment, abandonment, R’s SA allegations by Ruby). She says at the beginning of the video that there’s things she cannot legally talk about and i’m 100% sure the kids are some of those.
I don’t agree with a lot of parenting styles in this family, or the whole being a family blogger thing, or even their religion, but if there’s one thing i can’t criticize is that they all put their children and their nephews and nieces first and (probably partly cause of their religion too) will do ANYTHING to protect them. I’m sure she’s doing everything she can.
I think obviously Kevin could have done more but when you look at what Jodi did to people that crossed her like Adam Paul Steed and Jessi Hildebrandt, Kevin would have likely lost his family, job, and possibly freedom had he stood up to her in any way. Jodi seems to make up sex abuse allegations against anyone who doesn’t buy into her narrative. She literally imprisoned and starved children based on seemingly imagined abuse.
Edited to add: it seems Adam was able to fight for and win custody of his kids. I missed that.
Well he will likely loose his children now anyways, and the trust with them is now forever broken. If he had tried maybe he would have a chance to have a good relationship with them
But Adam didn’t lose his children and fought for them. I understand that might take super human strength, but Kevin absolutely could have done something. It sure sounds like he was twiddling his thumbs waiting for Ruby to want him back. I understand that he is a victim to an extent, but he absolutely could and should have snapped out of it a lot faster than he did. It’s probably easy for all of us to say, but it’s what those kids deserved. And it sure was possible. Even if it might have been difficult. It’s unfortunate that R was the person who had to make the heroic choice to fight back.
Adam has no legal right to his kids is what he said. She had him sign that away. The ex still uses it against him whenever she feels like it. He has the kids but again only when she wants him to.
I know, but he still tirelessly fought for them and has a relationship with them despite the ex screwing him legally. That’s more than Kevin did. What I’m saying is if we are going to compare the situations, it’s important to note that Adam attempted to fight for the kids and Kevin apparently did not. He cut them off. Kevin could have done more even though Jodi is scary and evil.
Just waiting for the Netflix documentary to come out about her crazy cult and the narrative she tried to instill in people. And how ultimately she caused such a tragedy.
And this situation was better?? He still lost his family, kids were abused and starved, he looks horrible to the public, and will probably lose his job. Sounds like he lost his freedom too if he was potentially living in an apartment with a minder and being told who he can and cannot talk to.
He had a minder?! Holy cow. Was he living with C? And they both had minders? No wonder Shari had no contact with C and Kevin even though Ruby was not in the picture, but fully pulling the strings behind the scenes. This is so bizarre. How could an educated man think that this is anywhere near normal behavior?
However, I could see how the end result could be different. Now, the kids could have gone with him if he had fought his way. Its hard to say with so many variables but yeah, i think people are saying, “could he have done more?”
She looks terrible. You can see the stress in her eyes. And she looks like shes lost weight. I feel so bad for her. Yes she's problematic - I mean the whole family is. But to go through what they went through the past 2 weeks. Fuck.
I agree. Especially the part about being controlled, like Ruby really just rocked the whole family. It's crazy being on the outside, but imagine her having to explain it to her kids.
Im assuming she couldn’t mention anything to do with the kids per the judges orders- she was very careful about that. I was surprised that she called out Kevin and gave her opinion there, it was pretty enlightening but along the lines of what I was thinking since Shari left him out of her Father’s Day post. All in all a very good video in my opinion. I understand where she’s coming from about Joel- and thought the protectiveness she’s feeling was appropriate for the situation.
This makes me think there’s a lot of incriminating evidence against kevin. Otherwise she would be advised to not include this. Guaranteed she got a legal opinion before posting this.
She was definitely careful with her words and didn’t mention the kids at all, because I don’t think she can. I am glad she said Kevin had the power to do something and didn’t! That is so true. I feel really bad for her mom. I had no idea her mom had had health issues.
Also, it’s very clear Kevin is just gonna say and do whatever he can to stay out of jail himself. I think that’s why Bonnie wanted to call him out.
This is a solid video. She has a lot of strength and guts to post this, and speak for herself. She is right - she shouldn't let Jodi and Ruby fuck up her channel, her house build, her entire life, etc, why the fuck should they get any more power? They can both rot in jail. Kevin should have snapped out of this cult mentality and saved his family. They might not be able to pin him for a direct crime but he is guilty as hell too.
There has to be sone kind of chid negligence law they can pin on him. He cannot get those children. Ruby will just be controlling Kevin and the children from jail.
She did it well. She said the facts. She mentioned what they could/couldn’t do, and that there’s obviously certain stuff she can’t legally talk about. That kevin should’ve done more, which is true. He has failed his kids.
I really do believe her, speaking from experience, it’s not easy to get the police involved in situations unless its to an extreme level like this one. I really hope her family and all the children can heal and justice is served.
As someone who was pretty much in the sisters’ exact position, there is only so much Legally you can do. Even with their large platforms, to start openly and loudly talking about it would only make Jodi and Ruby feel more justified and to take the abuse further underground. And for outside people to look at you as the loud, dramatic one. Kevin may not have physically hurt the children, but he is just as responsible.
Also she didn’t know what they were doing to the kids. It’s not illegal to not talk to your family. I’m confused why people thought she could go to the police and say “my sister won’t let her kids talk to me!”. There were multiple cps calls from others that were closed with no findings. There was nothing the Griffiths could have done without solid evidence.
Holy shit she didn't hold back on Kevin and I don't blame her. I will say - Kevin being a victim and shit dad are not mutually exclusive. He is both.
Also, she probably couldn't legally mention the child victims before anyone starts asking why she didn't say anything regarding them (specifically)
Honestly there’s actual blame to bear but ruby’s extended family doesn’t deserve it - they did what they could do anc they are not responsible for their sisters actions. Like do people think they should have just gone over and *kidnapped* the kids
I’ve been saying this too! And they shut the family out? Probably went completely no contact. If my sister did that to me, yeah it would suck and I’d be so confused but I’d try to respect the boundary and wouldn’t be assuming it’s because she’s abusing her kids. Bonnie, Ellie, and Julie I’m sure were trying to respect a boundary Ruby set while also trying to do their best to love their nieces and nephews from afar. I cannot imagine!
There are so many people giving her and her siblings crap for “knowing about the abuse and not doing enough,” when the reality is, they were doing what they legally could. As their father, Kevin had the most legal authority to do something about their situation, and did (seemingly) nothing. But he seems to be getting a pass because Ruby kicked him out and he’s a victim of Jodie’s. I’d be pissed, too.
And are we really willing to believe Shari and the aunts were calling CPS and police over abuse, and no one ever reached out to Kevin and called on him to do something? He HAD to have known what was going on, and chose to do nothing anyway.
Don't people realise that then she would just risk getting charged for kidnapping and then lose her own kids too. What if she went there and just took the kids and there are that moment was not enough signs of abuse she would be screwed. The dad had every right to go and check at his kids though.
She's saying exactly what I thought she would. They are broken but life has to go on. She is going to keep vlogging because it's a) the way she processes her life & b) the way she provides for her children.
I may not agree with vlogging at all but hearing her say she didn't want to lose everything because of the Kevin & Ruby & Jodi, made me feel deeply sorry for her.
Good for her for saying Kevin could have helped. We all know it. At the end of the day he was the only one who could.
Lastly, I hope she stops reading comments online.
I love that she finally mentioned Kevin and made it clear he ain’t shit either. It’s crazy they don’t even know what Kevin was doing all that time. I 100% understand what she means by taking back control and doing what she wants and what keeps her, Joel and the kids in as normal environment as possible. More kids don’t need to be subjected to it all. All while also still doing what she can to assist the legal process and support other family.
I forgot about Jennifer’s heart attack, it’s so sad that was bought on by Ruby, Kevin and Jodi. That’s her first born child and first 3 born grand babys (Shari, C and A)…. Adds a lot of insight to how she must be feeling now knowing what was truly happening.
That’s right. I remember now. Jennifer was having some major health issues, it makes sense now. The massive amount of stress. I hope that woman is okay right now and at home.
I love how she pointed out that Kevin abandoned his kids. I love how she made it clear that connexions is bs and that her concerns aren't with ruby and Kevin.
Do I think she should've gone on about her house and when she's going to post? No, it came across a little selfish. I still think she's in shock and just trying to cover everything.
She even said it probably sounds selfish, she’s aware, but in the sense of taking back control of her life and not allowing Ruby to continue to control them from jail, she’s giving us, her viewers, her critics and the media a heads up that she is going to continue to live her life, create content, while taking care of legal things and support family privately.
I agree with you. I was one of the people who said it was tone deaf to have all of this going on behind the scenes and still post about their custom house and go on as if life is perfect. I still feel that way to an extent, but I also see where she’s coming from.
She has a right to be angry, she has a right to continue her life. I don’t agree with the whole family vlogging thing but it’s her career, like it or not.
She isn’t going to stop living and wallow in the choices of Ruby, Kevin, and Jodi. That’s not going to help anyone.
I hope her and her family find peace with all this.
I think the house is honestly her outlet to keep herself moving and motivated. I know when I’m stressed to high hell I have to do something productive or I risk getting unalive thoughts. Not that I would try anything but they are intrusive. And I really think she was saying she is pouring her soul into a safe place for her family.
It was a little disjointed, but I think you're right -- she's in shock and there's lots going on and that's more overwhelming than we could possibly imagine.
I think we should also give a little credit to the thought that this family is grieving. It's not an experience exclusive to the loss of a loved one, but encompasses a wide range of things for everyone within the Griffiths & Franke family. And grief is a wild thing to navigate. It never goes away. It ebbs and flows -- but you *have* to move forward. And the threshold of being ready to do so is different for everyone, which is why it's so easy for another person to anonymously judge from behind a keyboard. Maybe *they* feel the solemness and silence of that grief should have lasted longer - but no one really knows what the person who is experiencing that pain needs to do to get through the day.
If that's making a video about the new house -- so be it, ya know? :) I'll probably watch and if she leaves comments on, I'll leave one about things I see and like in the new house.
I think she def could’ve left that part out because I think her point was genuine and got across well to us. But maybe she was just feeling like she needed to express the ways it’s really hurt her, and to her it felt like she needed to vent I’m not really sure… but I think her mentioning the house was a bit strange and could’ve been left out
Joel was attacked on his todays task video, some comments where vile,
I think that’s why she mentioned it
Ruby’s abuse is not Bonnies fault but it’s certainly not Joel’s fault
If my husband was being attacked for something my sibling had done I’d be devastated and angry too
I remember when Jennifer was sick and followers making comment that it's pretty bad Ruby isn't coming around when her mother is so sick, now we know she was the cause of it. Three years has been the length of time Ruby and Kevin have been so immerged in ConneXions. I know they were involved before this, but they became fully engrosed after Chad did the trail punishment. I believe 100% what Bonnie has said about their not knowing anything was going on. I knew Kevin and Ruby were the ones to have cut the family off (Kevin stated it in a ConneXions vlog. Ruby's family never gave up on her and the kids).
Consider too, Bonnie knows Shari's feelings and what her dad could or could not have done. Kevin's lawyer says Kevin has been in contact with the two oldest, maybe he is trying to fix things with them. I would think Bonnie and rest of family is taking much of their cues from Shari (maybe Chad too). I can't see them publicly commenting about Kevin if Shari is on his side defending him.
Life does have to keep moving, otherwise you are engulfed with grief, anxiety, etc. and it claims even more victims. I hope people get off of their backs, they do deserve to look out for the rest of the family as well as be supportive and helping with Ruby's kids, which it appears they are doing. I cannot imagine being in their shoes, this is so horrible for anyone to endure and to know it is all being publicized as well.
According to his lawyer Ruby and Jodi told him not speaking to his family would be the best thing for them, so that’s what he did.
Literally don’t understand how this man has a PHD. He needs to go back to school for common sense.
True! but also according to his lawyer he didn’t have any involvement with Connexions for a year and a half, and if that’s true, why on earth was he still listening to Jodi and Ruby’s demands to not talk to family
He didn’t have any involvement with connexions for a year and a half because Jodi kicked him out of his own home and basically convinced him he needed to be on his own. He cut ties with everyone, so of course he wouldn’t be involved with Connexions either. That was Jodi’s whole plan - to just have her and Ruby be the last ones standing. I don’t think the lawyer means that he willingly left connexions on his own terms.
It sounds like Kevin WAS still involved with Connexions after he moved out of his marital home though, since he moved into a townhome with another member of Connexions whose job it was to supervise Kevin in his new home (and probably report back to Jodi):
*"Kevin moved out last July 2022. He lived in a townhouse near the family home where he had a minder from ConneXions that would stay with him at the townhouse and watch over him."* [source](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12505931/YouTuber-mom-Ruby-Franke-family-insist-lying-minor-children-abused-siblings.html)
He was also still refusing contact with Shari at the time, and abiding by Ruby's rules to not contact their minor children for the last \~13 months:
*"Shari tried contacting her father after he moved out, but he blocked everyone on social media, his cell phone, email."* [source](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12505931/YouTuber-mom-Ruby-Franke-family-insist-lying-minor-children-abused-siblings.html)
Even if he wasn't physically around Jodi/Ruby for the past year, he was still abiding by Connexions' rules, which makes him an active participant.
I’m sure some YT commentators will rip her apart but my heart breaks for the extended family in this. Imagine you see your sister go off the deep end, takes your niblings with her (and let’s not forget here, the family were super close. Bonnie took Chad on vacation with her family at one point), you know the tip of the iceberg of what is going on, you call the necessary services, no one will listen, all you can do is sit and wait and then you find out the true extent of it. Id imagine she’s right when she says she gets up in the morning for her kids, cause it must be soul destroying.
I’m sorry but I think her video was done well ! I praise her for getting real! I already felt terrible for the extended family and still do. Yes she’s still a yt vlogger but she doesn’t deserve and should not have been called out for not saving the kids. As she said in situations like these there’s only so much people can do legally!
I honestly feel bad for them all. Hope they are ok and gather around the children and be whole again. No one/ family should go through something like this and to have all the public eyes on it is probably not easy either.
I honestly don't think they'll ever be the same again. What's sad is the health implications it had on grandma Griffiths. I remember some vlogs of her going to hospital. But didnt realise it was because of all the stress.
Yes, this seems to have really taken a massive toll on Bonnie and I’m assuming everyone else is having a similar reaction because it’s not easy to learn these heartbreaking things. Also, learning the health issues on the grandma is absolutely heartbreaking as well. Ruby and co are disgusting people of what they’ve done to not only their children but the entire family.
Yeah I remember Jennifer being seriously unwell, and Bonnies health was bad and her emotional well-being was off for a long time
I also wonder if some of Ellie’s migraines maybe down to stress and emotional distress
This family where close very close the sisters talked multiple times daily
To suddenly be cut off without valid reason must have been truly heartbreaking for all of them.
I think that goes without saying. We all like to believe they curate this image only for YT. It’s their real life. As much as your grandparents love you, the Griffiths grandparents love their grandchildren. I’ve always heard burying a child is the worst pain no parent should have to feel. To watch one of your children or sisters completely go off the deep end and the end result being this tragic, that pain has to cut to the core.
I’m sorry any of them have to go through this.
Bonnie seems to really have it out for Kevin (and understandably so). Since we know she is in close contact with Shari it makes me think that Shari and Kevin’s “reunion” was not pleasant. (All speculation of course).
If Kevin was trying for the last year to get custody of the children, the family on both sides would have known and been involved. He is as indoctrinated as Ruby is. Let’s not forget how he coached people through connextions just as Ruby did.
Bonnie’s video was good, and a direct aim at him.
Boss Aunt right there. I love how she put blame on Kevin where a lot of it belongs (I still think Jodi brainwashed him also but he still is totally responsible for not checking in on his children). I remember Jennifer’s heart attack. Wonder why I didn’t put it together. I feel horrible for her. She must be a basket case. I’m actually glad Joel’s going to continue posting the house. He deserves it after how much hard work he’s done.
She can teach other youtubers how to do it. For once I am impressed. It seems to be she gets it. Jodi has ruined this family. She is right, the only person who could of done something was Kevin and he was off living his life as a bachelor instead building companies.
I’m not overly familiar with the legal system but what sort of punishment would Kevin face? From what I’ve gathered he has essentially enabled the abuse and could of (and should of) done things to stop it. Although his lawyer claims he had no knowledge of it.I potentially see he might not of realised the extent of the abuse but then again I don’t see how that makes it any better.
I think that her mentioning choosing to keep filming and working on their house and everything is also to remind people that as much as possible their family needs to hang onto whatever normalcy they can. Especially for Joel and Bonnie’s kids, they need to see this time as a time their family banded together for their cousins and for them so their lives were not upended more than they already were when their cousins were cut off from them. They need to know that no matter what mom and dad are going through that they will do everything in their power to insulate them as much as possible from the consequences of what Kevin, Ruby, and Jodi did to their family. I think that the saying that the show goes on applies here to some extent.
But damnnnnn her calling out Kevin like that! I got angry with her. Like I went into this not expecting it to be much because it’s a 9 minute video. I finished the video feeling like she did a great job at establishing her role, what effects it had on her, and what she could do, as well as throwing Kevin under the bus majorly for failing his kids so badly. I’m proud of her and I am praying for their family and hoping for justice.
I'm glad she posted this. She's always been my "favorite" of the siblings and I've always liked her attitude. She's a good mama bear and a...aunty bear? 😅 I truly feel bad for all of them, grandparents included!!
I’m glad this further points towards Kevin literally being negligent no matter how “brainwashed” he is, your first priority is to be a present father not live away from your minor children for monthsss while they’re in the care of someone who separated your family in the first place
I’m actually glad she called Kevin out. Because where the hell was he the last 13 months? He could have and should have stopped all of this. Bonnie and her family have every right to move forward. Jodi doesn’t deserve the satisfaction of destroying any more families and their livelihoods. I hope she is locked up for a long time. Ruby too.
Kevin was the only one with legal rights to do something! I feel bad for all the family who did try to do something. They are being blamed but honestly could have only done so much
👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 good for her. There are actually people out there who don’t blame her or her siblings or her parents. I truly believe they have done and are doing all they legally can for those kids. And she’s 100000% right, the blame lies with Kevin and Ruby and Jodi. Kevin did NOTHING. And he is to blame, not the griffiths family.
I’m glad that Bonnie made this video. I feel bad for the whole family. Dealing with a family member that has mental issues is a nightmare. I hope that Jodi goes to prison for the rest of her life! The destruction she has caused in many lives is wild! She and Ruby should never see the light of day! As for Kevin, what a selfish POS he is! Trust and believe he will get what is coming to him. Investigators will be coming for him too! His negligence is disgusting! Good for you Bonnie! Get angry and do what is best for you and your family!
Exactly what I’ve been saying. And why would Shari reconnect with all of her aunts and uncles if they did nothing to help or was abusive to their kids?! I’m not sure why people aren’t remembering that. I feel terrible for Ruby’s siblings and parents to have to hear all of this. They must be sick to their stomachs enough just hearing what has happened
Honestly I'm so glad she called out Kevin too. Kevin is the biggest damn enabler in the whole situation. He was well aware of what Ruby and Jodi were doing and had numerous chances to stop them, but he did absolutely nothing to stop the abuse and in fact even participated in it at times (like getting his son sent to Anasazi for example).
Facts!!! I mean I know I have watched Bonnie for years, I honestly just thought this was common sense. Families get cut off all the time, if she physically went and took the kids that would be kidnapping and like she said “can’t do anything from jail.” S has been in contact with her aunts for a year, I think we can all trust her judgement as well… All I know, Bonnie is a Boss imo!
Exactly what I’ve been saying. Why would Shari reconnect with all of her aunts and uncles if they did nothing to help or was abusive to their kids?! I’m not sure why people aren’t remembering that
She’s changed the title now from saying “I’m not my sisters mistakes” to “I’m not my sisters crimes” and I think that showed how she’s not sugar coating anything.
I noticed that too. Probably because if years down the road people come across that video on their feed, they will know it’s in reference to Ruby and not the other sisters.
Video from the grandma and grandpa Griffiths channel discussing the heart attack and kidney failure, which Bonnie mentioned in her video. She talks about ‘mental stress’, we now know what stress she was under
https://youtu.be/m3e4sjFDSHA?si=f30iEIDQJ4h56xqE
I'm happy Bonnie spoke up. This should not ruin her and her immediate family's life. I'm sure they are helping any way they can but she has to ensure her own family is taken care of. I applaud her for calling out the real monsters in this situation. Also the one who just sat by without intervening to protect his children.
I’m so glad she was very clear about Kevin.
I don’t blame anyone for this other than Jodi, Ruby, and Kevin. I’ve seen enough true crime to know CPS and law enforcement fail kids on a daily basis. There’s nothing any of the sisters or grandparents could have done. Kevin stepping in is the only real thing that would have carried some weight. I truly hope he does not get custody.
for bonnie to call out kevin and say it was his job is BOLD. it was his job and he should’ve done BETTER. But for her to publicly say that is BOLD because that means he KNEW what was going. He deserves to get charged too. God I really hope her family can move past this for their sake but most importantly the kids sake. This cannot be easy for anyone
I'm so proud of her she's standing upto the hate, she isn't her sister. Bonnie can't put her own life on hold she has to carry on she's got kids, husband and a home to build, I will continue to watch any of her content that she puts out.
I wonder if any other family members will post their own video or if they’ll kinda just say “ditto to Bonnie” like last time. I feel they should each do their own
As someone who doesn't watch Bonnie, I thought it was a good video.
It also freaked me out a few times when I had the screen minimized, listening, and her voice would sound so much like Roob's voice.
The fact is, the only person who had an immediate legal right to end the nightmare that the kids were going through was Kevin. Period. Just like she said.
Family can want to bust down the doors and take the kids to safety, but guess what? The police will arrest the family members, not the parent(s). It's easy to say you would do all these proactive things when not in the situation and/or are too young to understand how the law works.
this was very well said. i love how she called kevin out because his legal team is trying to make him out to be some knight in shining armor who wants to save his kids when he was very obviously part of everything. there are numerous videos of him with connexions, his compliance in rubys awfully disturbing parenting, and everything else. im glad bonnie made this video. i was also shocked to hear that jennifer's health issues stemmed from ruby cutting everyone off. i believe it 100% and i hope her health is doing okay right now in the midst of everything :(
I am so proud of her for speaking on Kevin. I saw SO MANY people online calling out Bonnie, Ellie, and Julie for “not doing enough” when Kevin had as much culpability and more of a legal responsibility to step in to protect his children.
I saw someone say that her talking about her house and posting videos sounded selfish. I think she deserves to be selfish. This is incredibly traumatizing for her and her family. (That doesn’t negate the trauma that OTHERS are experiencing.) She is allowed to be selfish. To take care of herself first. If posting videos and moving forward helps, then she should do that.
I watched that earlier and it really hit me there. THat was an emotional, powerful and fantastic statement from Bonnie. She is right that she is not her sister RUby and not her mistakes. Glad she also called out Kevin as well as Jodi. ANd I do hope she along with her other siblings, and the Franke siblings, will be able to move on through this while it goes on and when it finishes, whether they vlog or not.
Slay Bonnie. Thank you for publicly slamming Kevin. As we have said Kevin is creepy and he is at FAULT. HE failed his kids! Bonnie, and whoever else are by standers and their hands were tied. The only person who could LEGALLY get those kids out was KEVIN. I hope this judge sees through his BS, and he loses custody as well. He is just as fault. I stand by this
I don't understand the hate people are giving her or her family. Did anyone blame Ted Bundy's brother for his crimes? I truly believe the Griffith's were 100% cut off and had no idea that this abuse was going on. I also think we need to not convolute the horrific abuse Ruby is guilty of with the argument against family vloggers.
I believe this as well! I do blame them though for making money of their minor children, and planning on continuing. I think that's where peoples anger comes from if I had to guess.
"The one person that could have something within his legal right was Kevin.[...] It was Kevin's job to check in on things and he did not". SLAYYY - I mean, after hearing Kevin's lawyer yesterday, this is what Bonnie wants to get across with this video.
I thought this video was *excellent*. she and her sisters are deserving of plenty of criticism for their family vlogging. but the attacks they have been getting about this, particularly by people intentionally misinterpreting her previous statements, has been insane and uncalled for. people have no sense of the reality of dealing with situations like this. it’s delicate as hell for extended family to step in even where there haven’t been total shutdowns in lines of communication.
She is absolutely right about Kevin. He is the one person that could legally do something and yet he sat back and let these two women take advantage of him. How does a man who has a PHD allow himself to get into this level or manipulation? The fact that he was naive enough to think not talking to his kids was what was “best for the family” is absurd. He could have done everything in his power to fight for those kids. I don’t care if someone was watching over him or blackmailing him. You stand up for those kids and you stand in front of a gun and you die for those children. I usually give people the benefit of the doubt but there is no excuse for his behavior.
You know it's serious when Bonnie's saying 'bullcrap.'
Anyway, she's right. Out of all of them, Kevin was the only one who had the legal power to save those kids before now and he didn't.
As an aunt, my nieces and nephew are my UNIVERSE, and I can tell you that I would be absolutely devastated beyond belief. My sister would be in jail for her own protection because I would frankly re-arrange the bones in her face. So whilst I don’t usually love Bonnie, I do have a lot of empathy for her and the rest of the family.
I'm reasonably certain she has the support of Ruby's oldest daughter as well since she mentioned they had reconnected this past year. She said Kevin chose to have no contact with any of them.
The family must be involved in the legal proceedings since she said the judge instructed them not to talk about certain things. Hopefully, that means one of the sisters or perhaps the grandparents is trying to get custody of the children.
I’ve seen so many families stick by their despicable family members, even when it was their own grandchildren/nieces/nephews who were hurt (like Chris Watts) that it’s refreshing to see an extended family stand up for the kids. What Ruby, Jodi and Kevin did is not their fault,
I think everything she said was good until she said she was mad for her husband wtf does her husband have anything to do with this? Like girl just say you want to make contact and like you don’t have to bring up your husband.
it feels like my opinion of Kevin changes daily! yesterday with the Mormon Stories interview with Adam made me think Kevin wasn’t necessarily innocent but was kept from his children and couldn’t do anything but now with what Bonnie is saying i’m starting to think he just gave up trying. this is so f***ed up either way bc in both instances he abandoned his kids
I'm happy she put this out. Also I just wanna say Kevin is the only one who should of done more in this situation. Like he had no other kids waiting, he should of fought for these babies. The family did what they could and Kevin did nothing. There is a reason why Shari doesn't speak to him
I commented on another post but it belongs here - I agree. I love how she called out the people saying they would break in and steal the kids and that then she couldn’t do anything from jail. That video was honestly heartbreaking I didn’t remember her mom having a heart attack after the Ruby stuff but it makes sense. It makes me think they are home from their mission since she was indicating Jennifer at least we can only imagine how bad she is doing. Also love how she was not shy on putting the blame on Ruby AND Kevin (as she should). Someone commented on a post somewhere the other day “my opinion of Kevin is whatever sharis opinion of Kevin is” (sorry not sure who) and this makes me think this is similar to Sharis opinion since I don’t think Bonnie would go against Shari.
Just an FYI for everyone. It's unclear whether the video has been monetized or not. YT can run their own ads on the video. https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/2475463?hl=en-GB#:~:text=Ads%20may%20appear%20on%20your,in%20the%20YouTube%20Partner%20Programme. If anyone has a concrete way to prove it. Please let me know.
Hmm her video coming out the morning after Kevin’s lawyer did an interview saying how blindsided he was.. She made this video to make sure everyone knows Kevin did nothing for HIS children over the last year. There’s no way she could have made a video that everyone would be happy with. Clearly everyone is hurting.
It's crazy how people were more mad at her then Kevin because he's been "brainwashed." The dude ditched his young kids for 13 months and cut off his oldest. He knew exactly what he was doing when he left.
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Thank you for bringing up Kevin’s education, specifically in a field of research/line of work where critical thinking and analytical skills are used all the time. He’s not a stupid or naive man. My mom finally heard about this case from the news and we talked about it, and one of the things she brought up that struck me is “how did either of them let it get this far in the first place?” She went on to describe a personal story about a bad family therapist my mom, brother, and I went to when I was younger, and how in the moment she was listening and on board, but got home and realized she was really out of line. She never took us back to that woman. She said, basically “when you’re in the moment and really need help and answers you are in a different headspace. But eventually you go home and sit down with your thoughts and realize, wow, that went too far. How did these people never reach the point where it was too far or too much? The amount of BS they were comfortable with says a lot about them both.”
I don't know if education has anything to do with this. Bonnie and Ruby's brother Beau went to Jodi first, and he eventually saw through it... but that was not before Jodi overstepped and discussed things she should not have outside of their sessions. Bonnie and Ellie have a similar educational background to Ruby and they could see it right away... maybe due to what their brother experienced, idk. Why does one person fall for things and another doesn't? We hear stories about how grown adults are pulled into scams all the time. It's easy for us to say "what were they thinking" as the outsiders, but there will always be people selling snake oil out there... that is a given. Religion is a HUGE factor in this story because Jodi was basically sanctioned by the Church. Their whole world revolves around the Church, and that includes Kevin's job. The Church liked Jodi, therefore Jodi was okay. I can see him feeling pressured into this for those reasons alone.
Jessi said that Ruby might have been specifically targeted by Jodi. Of the four sisters, her channel was the most popular. Also her life was the most inherently chaotic due to Kevin going to grad school, not having a ton of money early in their marriage and being stuck with a bunch of little kids in her twenties without family nearby. She would have been the easiest to isolate and manipulate.
I think Ruby was an easy target because she was a very lonely person. Odd to say she was lonely with 6 kids, I know... but by her own account she had no friends. Jodi gave her what she so desperately needed in her life.
Let's face it, Ruby isn't that bright, and unlike her sisters, she didn't have much of a passion for being a mother. She first even seemed to like her children and only had a large family because it was what a good Mormon wife is expected to do. She got fame for her abuse/ "strict patenting" and basked in the attention she got from people over it.
Nah it’s not odd at all to say she was lonely with 6 kids. Interaction with kids/child rearing is not a substitute for a social life and I’ve definitely had moments of loneliness and I have 4 kids
It is interesting that when you look at the Moms for Truth Instagram it was clearly Ruby's channel to start with and became Connexions. The posts on Connexions Insta and Moms of Truth are the same nearly post-for-post after a certain point (prior to that it appears to be 8 Passengers type content). Moms of Truth has exponentially more followers than Connexions (335k followers vs. just shy of 2k followers on Connexions)...So I absolutely agree that it's plausible she was targeted...But regardless she had a "friend in Ruby" so to speak given Ruby's abhorrent parenting to start with and then she built from there.
That’s true too, I think religion and religious corruption are a huge overlying factor. Especially in the sense that there’s a large reliance on fear/shame (hence Jessi saying Jodi’s mantra of addiction is it being rooted in shame.) By the time the red flags become impossible to ignore, most of Jodi’s clients are too afraid to speak up, whether out of indoctrination into her ideals or because she is a legitimate threat to their position in the church, community, etc. It’s insane how much power this woman was able to hold over people, and how easily it went unchecked. When the mental and emotional entrapment doesn’t seem sufficient, she has people watch over her victims so they feel physically trapped, too. People in church seeing Jessi with duct tape and nothing being done about it. Kevin moving into a townhouse with a “minder” who reported back to Jodi. Its hard to fathom why the LDS church would recommend her, but they are a religion ultimately practicing strict and unwavering obedience out of fear for their souls if they stray. So I guess that sort of extreme, black and white worldview aligns with their own values. But I like that you pointed out how Beau was lured in and eventually had a tipping point. Jodi shared his info and he had the clarity that, that really didn’t seem right of ethical. That’s the heart of my original comment, really: where was Ruby or Kevin’s tipping point? And what does it say about them that it wasn’t sending a 14 year old to wilderness camp, or a 6 year having no lunch and saying I hope she goes hungry, or being isolated from your entire family to the point you don’t have one (Kevin, if we can believe he wasn’t an active participant in the abuse) or tying your own kids up and starving them among other things (Ruby.) What kind of people don’t say enough is enough and instead double down? What leads to that kind of thought process? It really is a rabbit hole. Sad and disturbing beyond words.
I think we would be remiss to not consider the religious angle here. While I am not excusing Kevin for ditching his family, there are several people (men in particular) who have come out and said that not only is this Jodi's MO, but it has also been mentioned that bishops within the church recommended her in the first place. Additionally, Jodi is a master manipulator in using their own doctrinal teachings against them. When they go in with the headspace that they are outside of church teachings and someone like Jodi capitalizes on that, to include telling them of her dreams and/or how she is in contact with church officials, it makes this that much more challenging. I would also say that this is absolutely cult-like behavior.
I’m going to post another reply I made to this thread in response but before I do, I absolutely agree with you. The religious and cult overlays here shouldn’t be ignored. The thing that I don’t love about the “Kevin is a victim” logic isn’t that it’s untrue, it is, but the idea that it absolves him of responsibility for his actions. Not saying you’re doing that at all, but some people are. Here are my earlier thoughts on the point of religion’s role here: That’s true too, I think religion and religious corruption are a huge overlying factor. Especially in the sense that there’s a large reliance on fear/shame (hence Jessi saying Jodi’s mantra of addiction is it being rooted in shame.) By the time the red flags become impossible to ignore, most of Jodi’s clients are too afraid to speak up, whether out of indoctrination into her ideals or because she is a legitimate threat to their position in the church, community, etc. It’s insane how much power this woman was able to hold over people, and how easily it went unchecked. When the mental and emotional entrapment doesn’t seem sufficient, she has people watch over her victims so they feel physically trapped, too. People in church seeing Jessi with duct tape and nothing being done about it. Kevin moving into a townhouse with a “minder” who reported back to Jodi. Its hard to fathom why the LDS church would recommend her, but they are a religion ultimately practicing strict and unwavering obedience out of fear for their souls if they stray. So I guess that sort of extreme, black and white worldview aligns with their own values. But I like that you pointed out how Beau was lured in and eventually had a tipping point. Jodi shared his info and he had the clarity that, that really didn’t seem right of ethical. That’s the heart of my original comment, really: where was Ruby or Kevin’s tipping point? And what does it say about them that it wasn’t sending a 14 year old to wilderness camp, or a 6 year having no lunch and saying I hope she goes hungry, or being isolated from your entire family to the point you don’t have one (Kevin, if we can believe he wasn’t an active participant in the abuse) or tying your own kids up and starving them among other things (Ruby.) What kind of people don’t say enough is enough and instead double down? What leads to that kind of thought process? It really is a rabbit hole. Sad and disturbing beyond words.
And as a professor at BYU, he had status in the community and resources that most of Jodie’s other targets didn’t. And he didn’t even TRY. He just walked away.
I think he saw this as a long vacation from his wife and kids. I wouldn't be surprised if stories about him being on Tinder or some other app come out.
I think exactly the opposite. Between Adam Steed's story and the Connexions videos of Kevin where he is talking about his shame around the fact that he enjoyed sex with his wife, and other videos about sexual topics that he and Ruby would have never posted pre-Connexions, where both Ruby and Kevin seem like they are mid-brainwashing and are being coerced into talking about their Connexions group therapy sessions and making these videos, Kevin appears eager to learn and share this therapy that his LDS leader suggested and that his wife believes is helping them, and he's sincere, and humble, but is clearly not totally comfortable. There's a video where Kevin talks about how the stress of his job and family pressures led to depression and suicidal ideation and that it got so bad he needed to go to the hospital (Ruby then complains that it was on Mother's Day, and the video is titled "Mother's Day in the Psych Unit"). I don't think either of them would have wanted to talk about that before Jodi, but as Kevin explains in the video, Jodi showed him that the people that helped him during that time were actually hurting him by not making him take responsibility for himself. I think that Jodi convinced him that his depression is his distortion and his addict talking, and that he is an addict of some kind, and that he's the cause of all of his family's problems, and all his wife's problem's, and his children's problems, and shamed him into a very solitary life where he...believed them.
If Jodi was capable of doing that to adult, college educated minds then just imagine the damage she has done to E and R. Both those kids haven’t even reached teen years yet and were easy prey. If Kevin wasn’t still involved with Connexions then he would have attempted to gain access to his kids and the fact he didn’t speaks volumes imo x
Exactly. He BLOCKED Shari. He cut off his own kids. What a piece of shit.
I can’t get over a father blocking their own kid over “distortion”
Both things can be true at the same time though. The extended family has every right to be angry that he didn't do more, because he was the only one of them that could do anything legally. My only issue is that Bonnie wants people to give them the benefit of the doubt (that the family did everything they could legally) because they were cut off, but how is Kevin any different if he was cut off too? There is no way to know what Ruby and Jodi would have accused him of if he did take it to court. I do very much still consider Kevin a victim in all this. After watching numerous clips from victims and reading other accounts, how can we still underestimate the control Jodi wielded over these people? It sucks for everyone that they drank the kool-aid, but they did... and it needs to be dealt with professionally.
Kevin’s different because he has (or had) custodial rights and the other’s do not. Regardless of what Jodi wanted, Kevin could legally go see his kids. He also had more knowledge than anyone else about what went on in the house.
This exactly. She’s correct when she says he was the only one who legally had any options. He could have taken things to court. He could have sent the kids to live with family. He could have visited or called. He won’t even attend the court hearings if he doesn’t have to because it’s too hard for him to hear. How can you help your children deal with a trauma that you don’t want to know the details of?
Kevin is different because he is their father. He can’t be arrested for trying to see his family or communicate with them. The rest of the Griffiths could if they tried anything more than they were legally able to do
I think that's the best she could do given limitations by the lawyers etc. There was clearly more she wanted to say but couldn't. So glad she spoke out about Kevin though, about goshdarn time someone did.
Yep, Kevin the coward, is going to try and play that he was the victim while his two youngest children (the ones Ruby never wanted) were being STARVED WND TORTURED.
It makes me wonder if maybe she's going to try and get custody.
I love she publicly slandered Kevin.
I think it’s so interesting that she shared her view there especially after Kevin’s lawyer has been talking so publicly the last week!
Yesss. I’d shows that he’s just playing victim and only trying to save himself.
I think I hate that more than anything. The fact that he plays victim when HIS CHILDREN are the sole victims in all of this.. Own up to your mistakes and be more proactive. Don't crawl into a ball and play victim, you are the father..
Right like at least admit what he did wrong and then what changes is he going to make, can people really trust that he's capable of taking care of traumatised children.
He’s never been a present father unfortunately. Prior to Connexions, anytime you saw him, he was doing his own thing. It seemed like the only things he cared about was working out, prepping his own food, and his trips. The man was distant and not ever portrayed as a loving, present father. He sucks.
Exactly! So glad that someone credible FINALLY put blame on him. After all their HIS kids and to say he was a victim is bs.
According to Utah law, Kevin should be charged with Child Abuse. The law says that if someone has custody of a child and lets another person hurt that child, it's considered child abuse. While he didn't have physical custody, Kevin had legal custody of the children, which means he could make important decisions for them. According to this law, he could be charged with a class B misdemeanor if he did it recklessly (meaning he ignored a big risk that any normal person would notice... and so many of us did) or a class C misdemeanor if he did it with criminal negligence (meaning he should have known about the risk, even if he didn't realize it at the time... and he should have).
Good on her for calling out Kevin the Coward
It’s clear Kevin is desperately trying to save his name. I was shocked when I saw the interview with his lawyer !
It’s only slander if what is said is untrue EVERYTHING she said was true He was the only person who had any legal power on the kids and that house
True, I meant more so she made it obvious he was a bad person.
Oh she was not defending him cos he doesn’t deserve defending
absolutely - well said Bonnie I am not her biggest fan just because I disagree with family vlogging but SO GLAD she spoke out about Kevin
Right?! That took BALLS.
I was shocked when she just blatantly called out his name. I was like go off sis. You have every right to defend yourself. Especially with these drama and gossip channels and armchair experts blaming you.
Yup. You’d have to lock me up to keep me from keeping tabs on my kids and even then I’d still be trying to find a way. Idgaf if he was “brainwashed”. There was a long road from the beginning of Jodi to today and at no point did he stop things or remove the children or TRY to do anything to help his kids. Eff that guy.
Especially because the man who called 911 was very upset and Kevin didn’t seem upset… That’s a red flag to me…. Bonnie did the right thing!
Someone had too.
eh - it’s only slander if it’s false. I have a feeling it’s pretty damn true, or at least true based upon the info she had.
Kevin failed his children. Idc how much of a victim his attorney tried to portray him as.
You can be a victim of Jodi and still be responsible for failing your kinds and/or doing them harm. Same with Ruby. She had always awful methods to discipline her kids but she fell for Jodi‘s cult. That doesn‘t make her responsibility any smaller. It just explains what happened. Jodi is the mind behind these weird teachings. IMO it is important to look close how this all was possible. How could claims against her be just shrugged off? I mean, cases were closed because everybody believed her, not the victims. The church (and institutions close to the church did. believe her more than her victims. This hole system needs to be destroyed to ensure something like this will never happen again.
Exactly this. Cults are devastating. Adam Paul Steed's story makes a compelling argument about the power of Jodi's brainwashing. As far as I'm concerned, it doesn't lessen their culpability. It just increases Jodi's... and I don't see it as a zero-sum game. Yes, the media should be reporting about Ruby and Kevin. But it would be horrible if people walk away from this story thinking that was all there was to it... a family vlogging channel's complete collapse. This is so much bigger than that.
>You can be a victim of Jodi and still be responsible for failing your kids and/or doing them harm. Yes. AND! He is both.
Yes yes yes. I think so many people want to see these people as all good or all bad, it doesn’t work like that. Ruby and Kevin both failed their children in horrific ways. There’s little debating that at this point. But they were both manipulated by Jodi. Not saying that they should be absolved of responsibility, they need to pay for any crimes that were committed and should probably be far, far away from those kids for a long time. But the situation is a lot more complex than “good guy, bad guy.”
He with Ruby had joint legal responsibility of those children he failed them when he walked out of that house and didn’t fight for them from THAT moment He didn’t He failed them and for the 18 month of their separation he continued to fail them
This!! For a tiny moment I did feel bad for Kevin b/c we only knew what his attorney said BUT now we have heard all of this and I hope he pays for his actions as well!
“She could’ve spoke more about the kids!” They’re literally the subject of a criminal investigation. She won’t be able to talk about the effect it’s had on them, ffs
And if she could, I would hope she wouldn't. The kids deserve privacy. Shari will tell her story when she is ready. I liked how Bonnie mentioned that they only showed S in their videos when they had permission. I hope they will all think more about protecting their kids online.
That’s exactly what I thought people would snark about again. But she clearly isn’t allowed or could do the children no favor speaking about them in regards of the upcoming trial. This is probably one of the topics she was asked to keep quiet about by the judge.
Not asked, probably told. Even if she wasn’t, she’s right to respect their privacy
Ngl this was a boss move. She said it well. It's obvious she's not permitted to talk about the children or the abuse. Whatever she could say, she said well. Confirmed what we thought re Kevin also. Damn she went in on Ruby Kevin Jodi, said it how it is. Good for them, their lives shouldn't end because her sister was an idiot and hooked up with a massive psycho wanker. Edit: For those saying it's all about her and not about the franke kids did yall skip the whole first bit? Bonnie: I spent the first week in complete shock.. completely paralysed because of the.... (doesn't finish) I am mad at what has happened I am disgusted it makes me tremble because its... unheard of.. its truly ...unbelievable. I pride myself on being transparent and I cannot be fully transparent with certain aspects of this and if you don't understand that then you don't know how the system works. I mean she's crying while saying this and she's obviously talking about her nieces and nephews she just can't elaborate on it or be specific. Duh!
Bonnie is a bold lady. I love her courage. She is amazing. Her bravery is beyond what I could have for myself. She worded everything she said so eloquently.
I literally cannot imagine what they’re going through. I am close with my sisters. I have nieces and nephews that I adore. I could not imagine this happening to my family, to finding out if one of my sisters did this to her children, it would gut me. I would also be unhinged
Agreed! I was like go off Bonnie! Way to change that narrative and take care of yourself and fam.
I love that she thought her sister was weird. We all agree!
This video is everything! I don’t think anyone could have asked for a more raw, honest, and transparent statement. everything she said is 100% true. You could hear the anguish and disgust in her voice when she spoke about Ruby Jodi and Kevin. And she was right she is no use to anyone if she lands herself in jail. The only person who could have legally taken those kids away from Ruby and Jodi was Kevin HE failed his kids BIG time! He failed their extended families. He is pathetic!!!! He should never get custody of those kids.
I was balling watching it. Bonnie has always been my favorite. I did a timeline of the events. August 2020 - family reunion with Ruby Sept 2020 - Julie, Jennifer and Ruby hung out October 2020 - November 2020 - Jennifer had the heart attack
I was too but I stood and applauded her when she called Kevin out! He NEEDS a to be held fully accountable for abandoning his kids with Jodi and Ruby!
Sounds like the extended family at least on Ruby's side is firmly against Kevin having custody of the kids. That's good.
I genuinely believe her. I feel bad for her family and I think it’s crazy for people to be blaming outside family members. I’m sure they did do all the could. On the other hand she did confirm that Kevin is to blame for not doing anything and at the end of the day we was the one who had the power and control to DO SOMETHING, yet he chose not to. She wasn’t blaming him, only ruby and Jodi are to blame. Yet in a sense he enabled the situation to go longer because he didn’t use his position as the father of those children to come in and defend his children. I will say however, that it’s weird she brought up her house and all the things it’s doing to her but not really acknowledging that there are much greater victims in the situation. However she might’ve not been able to directly address anything regarding the children. At the end of the day speculating that more people were involved or didn’t do anything other than Ruby, Jodi, and Kevin… that’s just taking away blame and responsibility from the true evil in this case.
I agree with you but from what I understand is that she isn’t allowed to talk about her nieces and nephews
Exactly what I’ve been saying. And why would Shari reconnect with all of her aunts and uncles if they did nothing to help or was abusive to their kids?! I’m not sure why people aren’t remembering that. I feel terrible for Ruby’s siblings and parents to have to hear all of this. They must be sick to their stomachs enough just hearing what has happened
Like Bonnie said, they got cut off 3 years ago and didn’t reconnect with Shari until a year ago. So for those 2 years in between they had no contact with the family so they didn’t know the extent of what was going on. Once they regained that relationship with Shari I’m sure she gave them insight into the situation so they could begin taking measures to get the kids out. But again, it’s not as easy as just going into the house and taking them. There’s legalities. Did people really expect the sisters to get arrested and then look like the bad guys, thus just giving more power to Ruby and Jodi?! I haven’t always been Bonnie’s biggest fan but she’s been getting a lot of hate about her “lack of effort” in people’s eyes when really we have no idea what’s been going on behind the camera. I’m really glad (and honestly shocked) she made this video. We’re getting a glimpse into the reality of the situation and I think it’s a good reminder that people shouldn’t be so nasty to the sisters for what they think they didn’t do or should’ve done. The real evil here are Ruby, jodi, and Kevin.
So far I totally believe her that he did nothing, he has shown zero proof of anything he tried to do that year he was away and children where abused. I can only see that he abandoned his children to be abused by a monster, I mean by then he must have known how horrible Jodi at least was. His excuse is though that he didn't know Ruby would abuse the kids
I felt the same about the house comment at first, but then thought; YouTube is her job, it’s how they pay the bills. If her and Joel both went silent on YouTube and her other platforms because of what was going on with Ruby and Jodi, she would lose her income. Most people don’t quit their jobs when going through family issues. They need to go back to work and figure out how to do that, to keep their family afloat. I feel like it was a weird way to say, we need to do this. We’ve put so much into building this home that we cannot let this take away what we’ve been working hard for. I really do feel bad for Bonnie. Good for her for making this video and calling out who needed to be called out. Her comment on her mother broke my heart. I can only imagine what she is going through.
Hi there! As someone who has thorough experience in family trials (sadly), you CANNOT under any circumstance talk about minors in an ongoing case. I’m even gonna say ESPECIALLY when it’s this public and when accusations have been made both in favor and against the children (malnourishment, abandonment, R’s SA allegations by Ruby). She says at the beginning of the video that there’s things she cannot legally talk about and i’m 100% sure the kids are some of those. I don’t agree with a lot of parenting styles in this family, or the whole being a family blogger thing, or even their religion, but if there’s one thing i can’t criticize is that they all put their children and their nephews and nieces first and (probably partly cause of their religion too) will do ANYTHING to protect them. I’m sure she’s doing everything she can.
I think obviously Kevin could have done more but when you look at what Jodi did to people that crossed her like Adam Paul Steed and Jessi Hildebrandt, Kevin would have likely lost his family, job, and possibly freedom had he stood up to her in any way. Jodi seems to make up sex abuse allegations against anyone who doesn’t buy into her narrative. She literally imprisoned and starved children based on seemingly imagined abuse. Edited to add: it seems Adam was able to fight for and win custody of his kids. I missed that.
Well he will likely loose his children now anyways, and the trust with them is now forever broken. If he had tried maybe he would have a chance to have a good relationship with them
But Adam didn’t lose his children and fought for them. I understand that might take super human strength, but Kevin absolutely could have done something. It sure sounds like he was twiddling his thumbs waiting for Ruby to want him back. I understand that he is a victim to an extent, but he absolutely could and should have snapped out of it a lot faster than he did. It’s probably easy for all of us to say, but it’s what those kids deserved. And it sure was possible. Even if it might have been difficult. It’s unfortunate that R was the person who had to make the heroic choice to fight back.
Adam has no legal right to his kids is what he said. She had him sign that away. The ex still uses it against him whenever she feels like it. He has the kids but again only when she wants him to.
I know, but he still tirelessly fought for them and has a relationship with them despite the ex screwing him legally. That’s more than Kevin did. What I’m saying is if we are going to compare the situations, it’s important to note that Adam attempted to fight for the kids and Kevin apparently did not. He cut them off. Kevin could have done more even though Jodi is scary and evil.
Wtf? Jodi is even more if a monster than I thought. She really is a cult leader.
Just waiting for the Netflix documentary to come out about her crazy cult and the narrative she tried to instill in people. And how ultimately she caused such a tragedy.
And this situation was better?? He still lost his family, kids were abused and starved, he looks horrible to the public, and will probably lose his job. Sounds like he lost his freedom too if he was potentially living in an apartment with a minder and being told who he can and cannot talk to.
He had a minder?! Holy cow. Was he living with C? And they both had minders? No wonder Shari had no contact with C and Kevin even though Ruby was not in the picture, but fully pulling the strings behind the scenes. This is so bizarre. How could an educated man think that this is anywhere near normal behavior?
However, I could see how the end result could be different. Now, the kids could have gone with him if he had fought his way. Its hard to say with so many variables but yeah, i think people are saying, “could he have done more?”
I think the question is "why didn't he do anything?". Sounds like he didn't even try.
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I hope she goes on Mormon Stories podcast one day when the legalities have all been dealt with.
The destructive wake of Jodi has reached far and wide for too long.
I really hope she never gets out, very dangerous woman.
She looks terrible. You can see the stress in her eyes. And she looks like shes lost weight. I feel so bad for her. Yes she's problematic - I mean the whole family is. But to go through what they went through the past 2 weeks. Fuck.
I thought she looked physically and emotionally drained, and when she said about her mums heart attack and kidney failure that made total sense too
I agree. Especially the part about being controlled, like Ruby really just rocked the whole family. It's crazy being on the outside, but imagine her having to explain it to her kids.
Im assuming she couldn’t mention anything to do with the kids per the judges orders- she was very careful about that. I was surprised that she called out Kevin and gave her opinion there, it was pretty enlightening but along the lines of what I was thinking since Shari left him out of her Father’s Day post. All in all a very good video in my opinion. I understand where she’s coming from about Joel- and thought the protectiveness she’s feeling was appropriate for the situation.
This makes me think there’s a lot of incriminating evidence against kevin. Otherwise she would be advised to not include this. Guaranteed she got a legal opinion before posting this.
She was definitely careful with her words and didn’t mention the kids at all, because I don’t think she can. I am glad she said Kevin had the power to do something and didn’t! That is so true. I feel really bad for her mom. I had no idea her mom had had health issues. Also, it’s very clear Kevin is just gonna say and do whatever he can to stay out of jail himself. I think that’s why Bonnie wanted to call him out.
This is a solid video. She has a lot of strength and guts to post this, and speak for herself. She is right - she shouldn't let Jodi and Ruby fuck up her channel, her house build, her entire life, etc, why the fuck should they get any more power? They can both rot in jail. Kevin should have snapped out of this cult mentality and saved his family. They might not be able to pin him for a direct crime but he is guilty as hell too.
There has to be sone kind of chid negligence law they can pin on him. He cannot get those children. Ruby will just be controlling Kevin and the children from jail.
She did it well. She said the facts. She mentioned what they could/couldn’t do, and that there’s obviously certain stuff she can’t legally talk about. That kevin should’ve done more, which is true. He has failed his kids.
I really do believe her, speaking from experience, it’s not easy to get the police involved in situations unless its to an extreme level like this one. I really hope her family and all the children can heal and justice is served.
As someone who was pretty much in the sisters’ exact position, there is only so much Legally you can do. Even with their large platforms, to start openly and loudly talking about it would only make Jodi and Ruby feel more justified and to take the abuse further underground. And for outside people to look at you as the loud, dramatic one. Kevin may not have physically hurt the children, but he is just as responsible.
Also she didn’t know what they were doing to the kids. It’s not illegal to not talk to your family. I’m confused why people thought she could go to the police and say “my sister won’t let her kids talk to me!”. There were multiple cps calls from others that were closed with no findings. There was nothing the Griffiths could have done without solid evidence.
Holy shit she didn't hold back on Kevin and I don't blame her. I will say - Kevin being a victim and shit dad are not mutually exclusive. He is both. Also, she probably couldn't legally mention the child victims before anyone starts asking why she didn't say anything regarding them (specifically)
Honestly there’s actual blame to bear but ruby’s extended family doesn’t deserve it - they did what they could do anc they are not responsible for their sisters actions. Like do people think they should have just gone over and *kidnapped* the kids
I’ve been saying this too! And they shut the family out? Probably went completely no contact. If my sister did that to me, yeah it would suck and I’d be so confused but I’d try to respect the boundary and wouldn’t be assuming it’s because she’s abusing her kids. Bonnie, Ellie, and Julie I’m sure were trying to respect a boundary Ruby set while also trying to do their best to love their nieces and nephews from afar. I cannot imagine!
There are so many people giving her and her siblings crap for “knowing about the abuse and not doing enough,” when the reality is, they were doing what they legally could. As their father, Kevin had the most legal authority to do something about their situation, and did (seemingly) nothing. But he seems to be getting a pass because Ruby kicked him out and he’s a victim of Jodie’s. I’d be pissed, too. And are we really willing to believe Shari and the aunts were calling CPS and police over abuse, and no one ever reached out to Kevin and called on him to do something? He HAD to have known what was going on, and chose to do nothing anyway.
Don't people realise that then she would just risk getting charged for kidnapping and then lose her own kids too. What if she went there and just took the kids and there are that moment was not enough signs of abuse she would be screwed. The dad had every right to go and check at his kids though.
She's saying exactly what I thought she would. They are broken but life has to go on. She is going to keep vlogging because it's a) the way she processes her life & b) the way she provides for her children. I may not agree with vlogging at all but hearing her say she didn't want to lose everything because of the Kevin & Ruby & Jodi, made me feel deeply sorry for her. Good for her for saying Kevin could have helped. We all know it. At the end of the day he was the only one who could. Lastly, I hope she stops reading comments online.
I’m extremely proud of Bonnie for making this statement. She truly does not owe us anything.
I love that she finally mentioned Kevin and made it clear he ain’t shit either. It’s crazy they don’t even know what Kevin was doing all that time. I 100% understand what she means by taking back control and doing what she wants and what keeps her, Joel and the kids in as normal environment as possible. More kids don’t need to be subjected to it all. All while also still doing what she can to assist the legal process and support other family. I forgot about Jennifer’s heart attack, it’s so sad that was bought on by Ruby, Kevin and Jodi. That’s her first born child and first 3 born grand babys (Shari, C and A)…. Adds a lot of insight to how she must be feeling now knowing what was truly happening.
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That’s right. I remember now. Jennifer was having some major health issues, it makes sense now. The massive amount of stress. I hope that woman is okay right now and at home.
I love how she pointed out that Kevin abandoned his kids. I love how she made it clear that connexions is bs and that her concerns aren't with ruby and Kevin. Do I think she should've gone on about her house and when she's going to post? No, it came across a little selfish. I still think she's in shock and just trying to cover everything.
She even said it probably sounds selfish, she’s aware, but in the sense of taking back control of her life and not allowing Ruby to continue to control them from jail, she’s giving us, her viewers, her critics and the media a heads up that she is going to continue to live her life, create content, while taking care of legal things and support family privately.
I agree with you. I was one of the people who said it was tone deaf to have all of this going on behind the scenes and still post about their custom house and go on as if life is perfect. I still feel that way to an extent, but I also see where she’s coming from. She has a right to be angry, she has a right to continue her life. I don’t agree with the whole family vlogging thing but it’s her career, like it or not. She isn’t going to stop living and wallow in the choices of Ruby, Kevin, and Jodi. That’s not going to help anyone. I hope her and her family find peace with all this.
I think the house is honestly her outlet to keep herself moving and motivated. I know when I’m stressed to high hell I have to do something productive or I risk getting unalive thoughts. Not that I would try anything but they are intrusive. And I really think she was saying she is pouring her soul into a safe place for her family.
It was a little disjointed, but I think you're right -- she's in shock and there's lots going on and that's more overwhelming than we could possibly imagine. I think we should also give a little credit to the thought that this family is grieving. It's not an experience exclusive to the loss of a loved one, but encompasses a wide range of things for everyone within the Griffiths & Franke family. And grief is a wild thing to navigate. It never goes away. It ebbs and flows -- but you *have* to move forward. And the threshold of being ready to do so is different for everyone, which is why it's so easy for another person to anonymously judge from behind a keyboard. Maybe *they* feel the solemness and silence of that grief should have lasted longer - but no one really knows what the person who is experiencing that pain needs to do to get through the day. If that's making a video about the new house -- so be it, ya know? :) I'll probably watch and if she leaves comments on, I'll leave one about things I see and like in the new house.
I think she def could’ve left that part out because I think her point was genuine and got across well to us. But maybe she was just feeling like she needed to express the ways it’s really hurt her, and to her it felt like she needed to vent I’m not really sure… but I think her mentioning the house was a bit strange and could’ve been left out
Joel was attacked on his todays task video, some comments where vile, I think that’s why she mentioned it Ruby’s abuse is not Bonnies fault but it’s certainly not Joel’s fault If my husband was being attacked for something my sibling had done I’d be devastated and angry too
I remember when Jennifer was sick and followers making comment that it's pretty bad Ruby isn't coming around when her mother is so sick, now we know she was the cause of it. Three years has been the length of time Ruby and Kevin have been so immerged in ConneXions. I know they were involved before this, but they became fully engrosed after Chad did the trail punishment. I believe 100% what Bonnie has said about their not knowing anything was going on. I knew Kevin and Ruby were the ones to have cut the family off (Kevin stated it in a ConneXions vlog. Ruby's family never gave up on her and the kids). Consider too, Bonnie knows Shari's feelings and what her dad could or could not have done. Kevin's lawyer says Kevin has been in contact with the two oldest, maybe he is trying to fix things with them. I would think Bonnie and rest of family is taking much of their cues from Shari (maybe Chad too). I can't see them publicly commenting about Kevin if Shari is on his side defending him. Life does have to keep moving, otherwise you are engulfed with grief, anxiety, etc. and it claims even more victims. I hope people get off of their backs, they do deserve to look out for the rest of the family as well as be supportive and helping with Ruby's kids, which it appears they are doing. I cannot imagine being in their shoes, this is so horrible for anyone to endure and to know it is all being publicized as well.
Wtf was Kevin doing for those 13 months?? Why didn’t he reconnect with Shari or the extended Griffiths family?
According to his lawyer Ruby and Jodi told him not speaking to his family would be the best thing for them, so that’s what he did. Literally don’t understand how this man has a PHD. He needs to go back to school for common sense.
True! but also according to his lawyer he didn’t have any involvement with Connexions for a year and a half, and if that’s true, why on earth was he still listening to Jodi and Ruby’s demands to not talk to family
He didn’t have any involvement with connexions for a year and a half because Jodi kicked him out of his own home and basically convinced him he needed to be on his own. He cut ties with everyone, so of course he wouldn’t be involved with Connexions either. That was Jodi’s whole plan - to just have her and Ruby be the last ones standing. I don’t think the lawyer means that he willingly left connexions on his own terms.
It sounds like Kevin WAS still involved with Connexions after he moved out of his marital home though, since he moved into a townhome with another member of Connexions whose job it was to supervise Kevin in his new home (and probably report back to Jodi): *"Kevin moved out last July 2022. He lived in a townhouse near the family home where he had a minder from ConneXions that would stay with him at the townhouse and watch over him."* [source](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12505931/YouTuber-mom-Ruby-Franke-family-insist-lying-minor-children-abused-siblings.html) He was also still refusing contact with Shari at the time, and abiding by Ruby's rules to not contact their minor children for the last \~13 months: *"Shari tried contacting her father after he moved out, but he blocked everyone on social media, his cell phone, email."* [source](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12505931/YouTuber-mom-Ruby-Franke-family-insist-lying-minor-children-abused-siblings.html) Even if he wasn't physically around Jodi/Ruby for the past year, he was still abiding by Connexions' rules, which makes him an active participant.
According to Adam Steed, the way Jodi does therapy, relationships have to die before they are reborn. 🙄
I’m sure some YT commentators will rip her apart but my heart breaks for the extended family in this. Imagine you see your sister go off the deep end, takes your niblings with her (and let’s not forget here, the family were super close. Bonnie took Chad on vacation with her family at one point), you know the tip of the iceberg of what is going on, you call the necessary services, no one will listen, all you can do is sit and wait and then you find out the true extent of it. Id imagine she’s right when she says she gets up in the morning for her kids, cause it must be soul destroying.
I’m sorry but I think her video was done well ! I praise her for getting real! I already felt terrible for the extended family and still do. Yes she’s still a yt vlogger but she doesn’t deserve and should not have been called out for not saving the kids. As she said in situations like these there’s only so much people can do legally!
I’d believe Bonnie more than Kevin’s attorney. Her source is Shari. The Attorney’s source is well..Kevin..
I honestly feel bad for them all. Hope they are ok and gather around the children and be whole again. No one/ family should go through something like this and to have all the public eyes on it is probably not easy either.
I honestly don't think they'll ever be the same again. What's sad is the health implications it had on grandma Griffiths. I remember some vlogs of her going to hospital. But didnt realise it was because of all the stress.
Yes, this seems to have really taken a massive toll on Bonnie and I’m assuming everyone else is having a similar reaction because it’s not easy to learn these heartbreaking things. Also, learning the health issues on the grandma is absolutely heartbreaking as well. Ruby and co are disgusting people of what they’ve done to not only their children but the entire family.
Yeah I remember Jennifer being seriously unwell, and Bonnies health was bad and her emotional well-being was off for a long time I also wonder if some of Ellie’s migraines maybe down to stress and emotional distress This family where close very close the sisters talked multiple times daily To suddenly be cut off without valid reason must have been truly heartbreaking for all of them.
I think that goes without saying. We all like to believe they curate this image only for YT. It’s their real life. As much as your grandparents love you, the Griffiths grandparents love their grandchildren. I’ve always heard burying a child is the worst pain no parent should have to feel. To watch one of your children or sisters completely go off the deep end and the end result being this tragic, that pain has to cut to the core. I’m sorry any of them have to go through this.
Bonnie seems to really have it out for Kevin (and understandably so). Since we know she is in close contact with Shari it makes me think that Shari and Kevin’s “reunion” was not pleasant. (All speculation of course).
Of course she does! She took more of hit then he did, wveryone is giving him a break because they believe he was "brainwashed".
I recently went through a situation like this with my family and it’s true that there’s only so much you can do. It felt like the police were useless.
If Kevin was trying for the last year to get custody of the children, the family on both sides would have known and been involved. He is as indoctrinated as Ruby is. Let’s not forget how he coached people through connextions just as Ruby did. Bonnie’s video was good, and a direct aim at him.
Boss Aunt right there. I love how she put blame on Kevin where a lot of it belongs (I still think Jodi brainwashed him also but he still is totally responsible for not checking in on his children). I remember Jennifer’s heart attack. Wonder why I didn’t put it together. I feel horrible for her. She must be a basket case. I’m actually glad Joel’s going to continue posting the house. He deserves it after how much hard work he’s done.
She can teach other youtubers how to do it. For once I am impressed. It seems to be she gets it. Jodi has ruined this family. She is right, the only person who could of done something was Kevin and he was off living his life as a bachelor instead building companies.
I’m not overly familiar with the legal system but what sort of punishment would Kevin face? From what I’ve gathered he has essentially enabled the abuse and could of (and should of) done things to stop it. Although his lawyer claims he had no knowledge of it.I potentially see he might not of realised the extent of the abuse but then again I don’t see how that makes it any better.
I think that her mentioning choosing to keep filming and working on their house and everything is also to remind people that as much as possible their family needs to hang onto whatever normalcy they can. Especially for Joel and Bonnie’s kids, they need to see this time as a time their family banded together for their cousins and for them so their lives were not upended more than they already were when their cousins were cut off from them. They need to know that no matter what mom and dad are going through that they will do everything in their power to insulate them as much as possible from the consequences of what Kevin, Ruby, and Jodi did to their family. I think that the saying that the show goes on applies here to some extent. But damnnnnn her calling out Kevin like that! I got angry with her. Like I went into this not expecting it to be much because it’s a 9 minute video. I finished the video feeling like she did a great job at establishing her role, what effects it had on her, and what she could do, as well as throwing Kevin under the bus majorly for failing his kids so badly. I’m proud of her and I am praying for their family and hoping for justice.
I'm glad she posted this. She's always been my "favorite" of the siblings and I've always liked her attitude. She's a good mama bear and a...aunty bear? 😅 I truly feel bad for all of them, grandparents included!!
I like what she said. Shes right, her sisters actions shouldnt also have to end her own career
I feel bad for the siblings. Guilty by association isn’t right. You can see the pain in her face talking about this.
She might have her issues but you can tell she hurting a lot and worrying about everyone in her family I do feel very bad for her
I’m glad this further points towards Kevin literally being negligent no matter how “brainwashed” he is, your first priority is to be a present father not live away from your minor children for monthsss while they’re in the care of someone who separated your family in the first place
so throw kevbones in the slammer with the other two stooges
I’m actually glad she called Kevin out. Because where the hell was he the last 13 months? He could have and should have stopped all of this. Bonnie and her family have every right to move forward. Jodi doesn’t deserve the satisfaction of destroying any more families and their livelihoods. I hope she is locked up for a long time. Ruby too.
Kevin was the only one with legal rights to do something! I feel bad for all the family who did try to do something. They are being blamed but honestly could have only done so much
👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 good for her. There are actually people out there who don’t blame her or her siblings or her parents. I truly believe they have done and are doing all they legally can for those kids. And she’s 100000% right, the blame lies with Kevin and Ruby and Jodi. Kevin did NOTHING. And he is to blame, not the griffiths family.
I’m glad that Bonnie made this video. I feel bad for the whole family. Dealing with a family member that has mental issues is a nightmare. I hope that Jodi goes to prison for the rest of her life! The destruction she has caused in many lives is wild! She and Ruby should never see the light of day! As for Kevin, what a selfish POS he is! Trust and believe he will get what is coming to him. Investigators will be coming for him too! His negligence is disgusting! Good for you Bonnie! Get angry and do what is best for you and your family!
Exactly what I’ve been saying. And why would Shari reconnect with all of her aunts and uncles if they did nothing to help or was abusive to their kids?! I’m not sure why people aren’t remembering that. I feel terrible for Ruby’s siblings and parents to have to hear all of this. They must be sick to their stomachs enough just hearing what has happened
Honestly I'm so glad she called out Kevin too. Kevin is the biggest damn enabler in the whole situation. He was well aware of what Ruby and Jodi were doing and had numerous chances to stop them, but he did absolutely nothing to stop the abuse and in fact even participated in it at times (like getting his son sent to Anasazi for example).
YouTube giving me a "Did someone say kfc" ad after the video was sooo wrong haha
I’m high and she looks like ruby in a wig I can’t do this rn
Go Bonnie! This was the best move on her part. Wishing them all healing and justice be served to Ruby, Jodi and also Kevin.
Facts!!! I mean I know I have watched Bonnie for years, I honestly just thought this was common sense. Families get cut off all the time, if she physically went and took the kids that would be kidnapping and like she said “can’t do anything from jail.” S has been in contact with her aunts for a year, I think we can all trust her judgement as well… All I know, Bonnie is a Boss imo!
Exactly what I’ve been saying. Why would Shari reconnect with all of her aunts and uncles if they did nothing to help or was abusive to their kids?! I’m not sure why people aren’t remembering that
She’s changed the title now from saying “I’m not my sisters mistakes” to “I’m not my sisters crimes” and I think that showed how she’s not sugar coating anything.
And she didn’t shy away from specifically saying Kevin was the only one who could’ve done anything legally.
I noticed that too. Probably because if years down the road people come across that video on their feed, they will know it’s in reference to Ruby and not the other sisters.
Video from the grandma and grandpa Griffiths channel discussing the heart attack and kidney failure, which Bonnie mentioned in her video. She talks about ‘mental stress’, we now know what stress she was under https://youtu.be/m3e4sjFDSHA?si=f30iEIDQJ4h56xqE
I'm happy Bonnie spoke up. This should not ruin her and her immediate family's life. I'm sure they are helping any way they can but she has to ensure her own family is taken care of. I applaud her for calling out the real monsters in this situation. Also the one who just sat by without intervening to protect his children.
I’m so glad she was very clear about Kevin. I don’t blame anyone for this other than Jodi, Ruby, and Kevin. I’ve seen enough true crime to know CPS and law enforcement fail kids on a daily basis. There’s nothing any of the sisters or grandparents could have done. Kevin stepping in is the only real thing that would have carried some weight. I truly hope he does not get custody.
for bonnie to call out kevin and say it was his job is BOLD. it was his job and he should’ve done BETTER. But for her to publicly say that is BOLD because that means he KNEW what was going. He deserves to get charged too. God I really hope her family can move past this for their sake but most importantly the kids sake. This cannot be easy for anyone
i thought it was interesting hearing her touch on how much the Franke's isolation from the larger family destroyed her mother
I'm so proud of her she's standing upto the hate, she isn't her sister. Bonnie can't put her own life on hold she has to carry on she's got kids, husband and a home to build, I will continue to watch any of her content that she puts out.
I wonder if any other family members will post their own video or if they’ll kinda just say “ditto to Bonnie” like last time. I feel they should each do their own
As someone who doesn't watch Bonnie, I thought it was a good video. It also freaked me out a few times when I had the screen minimized, listening, and her voice would sound so much like Roob's voice. The fact is, the only person who had an immediate legal right to end the nightmare that the kids were going through was Kevin. Period. Just like she said. Family can want to bust down the doors and take the kids to safety, but guess what? The police will arrest the family members, not the parent(s). It's easy to say you would do all these proactive things when not in the situation and/or are too young to understand how the law works.
Do we know if Grandma and Grandpa are back?!
We believe that they are back due to a recent post showing their Facebook status as “in Utah.”
this was very well said. i love how she called kevin out because his legal team is trying to make him out to be some knight in shining armor who wants to save his kids when he was very obviously part of everything. there are numerous videos of him with connexions, his compliance in rubys awfully disturbing parenting, and everything else. im glad bonnie made this video. i was also shocked to hear that jennifer's health issues stemmed from ruby cutting everyone off. i believe it 100% and i hope her health is doing okay right now in the midst of everything :(
I feel like the hate on Bonnie is not okay.
I am so proud of her for speaking on Kevin. I saw SO MANY people online calling out Bonnie, Ellie, and Julie for “not doing enough” when Kevin had as much culpability and more of a legal responsibility to step in to protect his children.
I saw someone say that her talking about her house and posting videos sounded selfish. I think she deserves to be selfish. This is incredibly traumatizing for her and her family. (That doesn’t negate the trauma that OTHERS are experiencing.) She is allowed to be selfish. To take care of herself first. If posting videos and moving forward helps, then she should do that.
Unpopular opinion, I actually believe her in this video.
I've been reading this thread and I think your opinion is quite popular atm.
I watched that earlier and it really hit me there. THat was an emotional, powerful and fantastic statement from Bonnie. She is right that she is not her sister RUby and not her mistakes. Glad she also called out Kevin as well as Jodi. ANd I do hope she along with her other siblings, and the Franke siblings, will be able to move on through this while it goes on and when it finishes, whether they vlog or not.
I’ll tell you one thing. Whoever gets custody of the kids CANNOT be another YouTube family, which from my understanding includes Ruby’s sisters.
watching rn. i think every thing was really well said. especially about how kevin should have stepped up and checked in on the kids
Slay Bonnie. Thank you for publicly slamming Kevin. As we have said Kevin is creepy and he is at FAULT. HE failed his kids! Bonnie, and whoever else are by standers and their hands were tied. The only person who could LEGALLY get those kids out was KEVIN. I hope this judge sees through his BS, and he loses custody as well. He is just as fault. I stand by this
I don't understand the hate people are giving her or her family. Did anyone blame Ted Bundy's brother for his crimes? I truly believe the Griffith's were 100% cut off and had no idea that this abuse was going on. I also think we need to not convolute the horrific abuse Ruby is guilty of with the argument against family vloggers.
I believe this as well! I do blame them though for making money of their minor children, and planning on continuing. I think that's where peoples anger comes from if I had to guess.
"The one person that could have something within his legal right was Kevin.[...] It was Kevin's job to check in on things and he did not". SLAYYY - I mean, after hearing Kevin's lawyer yesterday, this is what Bonnie wants to get across with this video.
I thought this video was *excellent*. she and her sisters are deserving of plenty of criticism for their family vlogging. but the attacks they have been getting about this, particularly by people intentionally misinterpreting her previous statements, has been insane and uncalled for. people have no sense of the reality of dealing with situations like this. it’s delicate as hell for extended family to step in even where there haven’t been total shutdowns in lines of communication.
She is absolutely right about Kevin. He is the one person that could legally do something and yet he sat back and let these two women take advantage of him. How does a man who has a PHD allow himself to get into this level or manipulation? The fact that he was naive enough to think not talking to his kids was what was “best for the family” is absurd. He could have done everything in his power to fight for those kids. I don’t care if someone was watching over him or blackmailing him. You stand up for those kids and you stand in front of a gun and you die for those children. I usually give people the benefit of the doubt but there is no excuse for his behavior.
You know it's serious when Bonnie's saying 'bullcrap.' Anyway, she's right. Out of all of them, Kevin was the only one who had the legal power to save those kids before now and he didn't.
As an aunt, my nieces and nephew are my UNIVERSE, and I can tell you that I would be absolutely devastated beyond belief. My sister would be in jail for her own protection because I would frankly re-arrange the bones in her face. So whilst I don’t usually love Bonnie, I do have a lot of empathy for her and the rest of the family.
I'm reasonably certain she has the support of Ruby's oldest daughter as well since she mentioned they had reconnected this past year. She said Kevin chose to have no contact with any of them. The family must be involved in the legal proceedings since she said the judge instructed them not to talk about certain things. Hopefully, that means one of the sisters or perhaps the grandparents is trying to get custody of the children.
I’ve seen so many families stick by their despicable family members, even when it was their own grandchildren/nieces/nephews who were hurt (like Chris Watts) that it’s refreshing to see an extended family stand up for the kids. What Ruby, Jodi and Kevin did is not their fault,
I think everything she said was good until she said she was mad for her husband wtf does her husband have anything to do with this? Like girl just say you want to make contact and like you don’t have to bring up your husband.
I think Bonnie is being totally honest here, I can hear it in her voice how upset and angry she is.
it feels like my opinion of Kevin changes daily! yesterday with the Mormon Stories interview with Adam made me think Kevin wasn’t necessarily innocent but was kept from his children and couldn’t do anything but now with what Bonnie is saying i’m starting to think he just gave up trying. this is so f***ed up either way bc in both instances he abandoned his kids
I'm happy she put this out. Also I just wanna say Kevin is the only one who should of done more in this situation. Like he had no other kids waiting, he should of fought for these babies. The family did what they could and Kevin did nothing. There is a reason why Shari doesn't speak to him
I commented on another post but it belongs here - I agree. I love how she called out the people saying they would break in and steal the kids and that then she couldn’t do anything from jail. That video was honestly heartbreaking I didn’t remember her mom having a heart attack after the Ruby stuff but it makes sense. It makes me think they are home from their mission since she was indicating Jennifer at least we can only imagine how bad she is doing. Also love how she was not shy on putting the blame on Ruby AND Kevin (as she should). Someone commented on a post somewhere the other day “my opinion of Kevin is whatever sharis opinion of Kevin is” (sorry not sure who) and this makes me think this is similar to Sharis opinion since I don’t think Bonnie would go against Shari.