Collin Gosselin Details Alleged 'Violent' Childhood in Scathing Memoir

Collin Gosselin, son of former reality television stars Kate and Jon Gosselin, has released a memoir detailing allegations of a "dark" and "violent" childhood, with a particular focus on his mother, Kate Gosselin. The book, titled "In the Shadow of Eight: Surviving the Reality of My Childhood," was published Tuesday.

Collin, now 22, previously announced the tell-all book in January, sharing the cover image which featured his mother covering his mouth as a child. He stated on Instagram in June that the book "is not a story for entertainment, it is a story to instill responsibility in everyone to advocate and speak up against abuse, injustice and the exploitation of children."

Kate Gosselin, who has previously denied similar allegations, was reportedly "nervous" about her estranged son's book, viewing him as a "traitor." In 2023, she dismissed earlier claims of abuse as "complete fabrications," stating her son's "distorted perception of reality is one of the many issues that he always struggled with." She most recently stated on TikTok in July that she does "not feel [the] need to defend" herself publicly.

Filming 'Jon & Kate Plus 8'

Collin and his sextuplet siblings—Joel, Aaden, Hannah, Leah, and Alexis—along with twins Madelyn and Cara, were featured on "Jon & Kate Plus 8" and later "Kate Plus 8" after their parents' divorce in 2009. Collin claims in his book that there was no oversight regarding the amount of time children were filmed, stating they shot "as much as the studio wanted" and "as much as [Kate] wanted." He described feeling "trapped" by the "daily pressure to perform" for the cameras, leading him to resist filming by refusing to "smile on cue" and "play along."

Divorce Drama and Verbal Abuse

Collin recounts an alleged explosive argument between his parents prior to their divorce, describing it as his "most vivid memory" as a child. He claims his parents' "resentment … spilled out" during this "loud and explosive" fight, leaving him and his siblings "trembling." He alleges Kate swung a pair of headphones "through the air like a weapon" during the altercation.

He also accuses Kate of verbal abuse, stating she yelled at her children for "everyday things," but that her language towards him "escalated more often and more intensely" as he began to resist filming. Collin claims his mother's "constant drip of words meant to cut" labeled him "untrustworthy," a "bad kid," and "nothing like his siblings." He alleges he was the only child Kate homeschooled and the only one kept from visiting his father's home, reportedly being told, "Your dad doesn’t want to see you."

Physical Abuse and Confinement

Collin alleges physical abuse, including being "yanked" by his ear, "slapped across the cheek," "smacked upside the head," and "spanked … frequently." He details an incident where Kate allegedly "grabbed [him] by the ear and drag[ged] him across the room" after he broke a cabinet door, then spanked him with a "red plastic serving spoon."

He claims he spent approximately two years confined to a "cold," "unfurnished," and "tiny" basement that he described as a "holding cell." He alleges the room was monitored by a camera and that he was kept separate from his siblings, eating meals alone after they had finished. He recounted feeling "shame" after wetting his pants while locked in the room and unable to use the restroom.

Collin also describes an incident where Kate allegedly zip-tied his hands and feet after he attempted to escape the basement. He claims she called him a "burden," "crazy," and "dangerous" after restraining him.

Investigations and Medications

According to the memoir, Kate Gosselin was investigated by Children & Youth Services multiple times. Collin claims these visits began after he told a teacher about an injury to his ear. He states Kate pulled him from school shortly after the first visit, allegedly due to "bad behavior."

Collin also shared a list of medications he claims he was prescribed daily as an 11-year-old, including an antipsychotic, a mood stabilizer, an anti-anxiety medication, an antidepressant, and another antipsychotic. He described his mother administering these pills in a manner akin to giving medicine to a dog.

Institutionalization and Reconciliation

In the summer of 2016, Collin was sent to the Fairmont Behavioral Health Institute. He alleges he was not informed of the duration of his stay and that his mother visited him only once during his nearly two-year stay, telling him his siblings were "doing so much better without [him] at home."

His father, Jon Gosselin, eventually learned of his location and gained custody of Collin, facilitating his release in late 2018. Collin describes a period of tension as he and his father rebuilt their relationship, acknowledging it felt "foreign" to have a father figure after years of perceived absence.

![Collin Gosselin holding a copy of his book