Collin Gosselin Details Alleged Abuse by Mother Kate, Claims She Caused Military Discharge
Estranged son of reality TV star recounts childhood trauma and its impact on his military career, while Kate Gosselin defends her actions.
Collin Gosselin, son of former reality television star Kate Gosselin, has publicly detailed allegations of abuse he experienced at the hands of his mother, stating that these past issues led to his discharge from the Marine Corps. In a preview for the upcoming episode of Fox's Special Forces: World's Toughest Test, the 22-year-old expressed that his enlistment was his "only shot ever at a family," and that his discharge was a devastating blow.
Collin explained that his military career ended in 2024 after his past placement in a mental health facility came to light. "My mom made a statement on Instagram that I had all these crazy diagnoses and emotional disorders," he said, recounting how the Navy chain of command required him to get a psychiatric evaluation, which resulted in his dismissal.
He further detailed in his new memoir, "In the Shadow of Eight: Surviving the Reality of My Childhood," that the alleged abuse began emotionally and escalated to physical altercations. Collin described instances of his mother allegedly striking him across the face, leaving bruises that would fade only to be replaced by new ones. He also claimed that his siblings were subjected to similar treatment.
Collin was sent to live in a residential behavioral health facility in 2016, shortly before his twelfth birthday, where he remained for two years. He later went to live full-time with his father, Jon Gosselin. At the time, Kate Gosselin stated that Collin exhibited "unpredictable behavior and violent tendencies towards" his relatives and had "received multiple psychiatric diagnoses."
Collin was initially diagnosed with conditions including autism, ADHD, and bipolar disorder. However, he was later re-diagnosed as an adult by a clinical psychologist and found to have no current psychiatric or behavioral issues.
Kate Gosselin has responded to her son's allegations on social media. In a TikTok comment, she stated, "I know rational and logical people or anyone who has dealt with mental illness understands what's going on here." When asked why she hadn't taken legal action, she cited her public figure status, claiming legal avenues are different for those in the public eye.
In a 2023 interview with People magazine, Kate described Collin as "a very troubled young man who continues to need a lot of help." She added that his siblings and she had not been directly involved in his life due to his history of "unpredictable behavior and violent tendencies towards us."
The Gosselin family gained fame on the TLC reality series "Jon & Kate Plus 8," which documented the lives of Kate and Jon Gosselin and their eight children. After their divorce, Kate continued with a spin-off series, "Kate Plus 8," which concluded in 2017.
Jon Gosselin was granted full custody of Collin in 2018, and his twin sister Hannah in 2016. Collin remains estranged from his twin sisters, Madelyn and Cara, as well as his younger siblings, Aaden, Alexis, Joel, and Leah.