Former Nanny Claims Kate Gosselin Abused Son Collin

A former nanny who worked for Kate Gosselin has accused the reality television star of physically and emotionally abusing her son, Collin, during her time with the family over a decade ago. The woman, identified only as Ashley H., told People that she witnessed Kate mistreat Collin, stating, "She very much outwardly treated Collin different."

Ashley H. claimed that Kate "110 percent abused Collin" and expressed that she could "just feel" a specific hate from Kate towards her son. The former nanny stated she observed Kate "grab Collin many, many times."

According to Ashley H., she quit after six months and reported Gosselin to Children and Youth Services at the time. "I know for a fact that I was not the only one who did that," she said. "I want to use this opportunity to not only back Collin that his mom was psychologically abusive to him, not to mention the physical."

Collin Gosselin, now 22, recently detailed his own allegations of abuse against his mother in his memoir, "In the Shadow of Eight: Surviving the Reality of My Childhood." He claimed that Kate subjected him to physical and emotional abuse, which she has repeatedly denied.

In his book, Collin described instances of abuse, including Kate allegedly "yank[ing]" his ear, which led to a Children and Youth Services investigation. He also wrote about physical abuse, stating, "I learned early that my mom's anger didn’t stop at words. Sometimes it was a sharp yank to my ear. Sometimes a slap across the face. She would always stretch her fingers outward and hit us with the palm of her hand. Right across the cheekbone. Quick, decisive, meant to correct."

Collin further alleged that the strikes left his face bruised and that he learned to anticipate his mother's actions. He also reiterated previous claims of being forced to live in a "locked basement" with a camera monitoring him.

Kate Gosselin sent Collin to live in a residential behavioral health facility in 2016, where he stayed for two years before moving in with his father, Jon Gosselin. At the time, Kate stated that Collin had displayed "unpredictable behavior and violent tendencies" and had "received multiple psychiatric diagnoses." Collin was diagnosed with autism, ADHD, and bipolar disorder. However, a later adult re-examination by a clinical psychologist found no current psychiatric or behavioral problems.

In response to Collin's memoir and allegations, Kate addressed comments on TikTok, stating, "I know rational and logical people or anyone who has dealt with mental illness understands what's going on here." She also commented, "I know who I am and my kids know who I truly am and to me, that's all that matters."

When asked why she had not taken legal action against her son over his claims, Kate replied to a TikTok user that she could not because she is a public figure and that "The courts don't honor it if you're 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 Kate and Jon Gosselin's life raising their eight children. After their divorce, Kate continued the series as "Kate Plus 8" until its cancellation in 2017. Jon Gosselin was granted full custody of Collin in 2018 and his sister Hannah in 2016. Collin is reportedly estranged from his other siblings.