Fans of Jon & Kate Plus 8 have long known Kate Gosselin as a strict mother, but startling new allegations from her 20-year-old son, Collin Gosselin, paint a much darker picture. In a recent interview, Collin accused his mother of abusing him, claiming he was tied up and confined to a “containment room” in the family’s basement starting before he turned 10 years old, according to OK! Magazine.
“I was there, you know, most of the day because I didn’t go to school after a point,” Collin revealed. He further alleged that Kate “zip-tied my hands and feet together, bolt-locked the door, turned off the lights, and had cameras there just watching me.” These claims highlight a troubling dynamic far beyond the tough-love parenting style viewers saw on the popular reality show.
This isn’t the first time Collin has spoken out about his mother’s treatment. In the past, Kate, 49, had him institutionalized, citing concerns over his violent behavior. At the time, her attorney defended her actions, stating she “did what she did to protect herself and her family” from Collin’s alleged issues. However, Collin’s side of the story presents a different narrative. “Kate makes no apologies for her treatment of Collin,” an insider told In Touch. “Of course, when Collin tells it, it sounds like a horror story.”
The day after his interview, Collin took to Instagram, sharing more about his experience. “It has taken me a long time to find the strength needed to speak about my mother’s abuse,” he wrote on September 10. “I hope to be the voice for children everywhere facing abuse.” In his post, Collin also expressed gratitude to his father, Jon Gosselin, who fought for custody of him and his sister Hannah following his split from Kate in 2009. Jon, 47, remains estranged from his other children but has been a steadfast supporter of Collin.
Collin concluded his statement with a sense of relief, saying, “Today I feel a small sense of justice by speaking [up].”
As Collin’s accusations surface, they add another layer of complexity to the Gosselin family’s already public struggles, casting a harsh spotlight on the realities behind their once-celebrated TV fame.