Collin Gosselin Claims Mom Kate Told Him His Siblings Are ‘So Much Better Without You’ After He Was Sent to Behavioral Institution

Collin Gosselin, a former star of the reality show ‘Jon & Kate Plus 8’, has made serious claims regarding his childhood and the treatment he received from his mother, Kate Gosselin. In his new memoir titled *In the Shadow of Eight: Surviving the Reality of My Childhood*, the 22-year-old recounts his experiences during a stay at Fairmount Behavioral Health System, where he was placed after reportedly attempting to escape his mother’s home.

In his memoir, Gosselin alleges that Kate, 51, sent him to the facility following claims of abuse he faced at her hands when he was just 11 years old. He notes that it took over a year before she visited him there, reflecting on the emotional turmoil of feeling abandoned. “By this time, I had a second birthday coming up,” Collin writes, highlighting the lack of any cards or gifts from his family during his time in treatment. He expressed the loneliness of not receiving any communication during the first month of his stay.

Despite his trepidations, Collin was hopeful about the visit from his mother. He imagined that she would greet him warmly, expressing how much she missed him and perhaps even taking him home. In preparation for their meeting, he crafted origami gifts for each of his siblings, opting for brightly-coloured paper that he saved up for from a prize cart. His innocent hopes, however, were quickly dashed upon their actual meeting.

When Kate arrived, Collin describes her initial reaction as one of disappointment rather than warmth. He remembered her eyebrows furrowing in dismay as she assessed his physical appearance, which had changed during his time in treatment. At that moment, a doctor from the facility informed Kate about some challenges Collin had faced, framing them as ‘lashing out’. Collin reflected on how this label mischaracterised his raw emotional expressions of wanting to return home.

As their conversation progressed, Collin presented his origami gifts to Kate, only to be met with rejection. She returned all but one – the swan he had made for her – and bid him to keep the rest. When he asked if he could return home, Kate responded with a painful affirmation that it would be “inappropriate” for him to do so. She asserted that his siblings were “doing so much better without you at home” and were “happy and well-behaved,” leading Collin to feel a sense of exclusion from his family.

The conversation soon turned sour, leaving Collin overwhelmed with emotion. He recalled Kate telling him, “Collin. You are here because of you,” and the devastating claim that he had “broken our family.” This remark propelled him into tears, pushing him to cover his face in shame as he struggled to contain his sobs. Collin described the agony of feeling as though Kate was communicating how much happier the family was without him, heightening his feelings of isolation.

Ultimately, Kate’s visit was short-lived, as she left soon after flagging down the doctor, concluding that it was time for her to depart. This visit marked the only time she would see him during his two-year stay at the facility. Following his time at Fairmount, Collin was transferred to another residential facility, George Junior Republic, where he began the process of weaning off various medications he alleged he was forced to take.

In the wake of the memoir’s release, Kate Gosselin has not directly addressed the specific claims made by Collin. However, she stated in a social media post that all actions taken within their home were based on recommendations from Collin’s psychiatric care team, aimed at protecting the family. Kate’s attorney maintained that she acted with good intentions and did not intend to cause harm.

Kate has also taken to social media to respond to supporters, asserting that her actions were medically necessary. In the comments of a recent TikTok post, she received both support and criticism from various users, which she has seemingly engaged with through her interactions on the platform.

Collin’s memoir has sparked discussions about childhood trauma and the impact of reality television on familial relationships. As he shares his story, it continues to resonate with those who have faced similar struggles. The book *In the Shadow of Eight* is now available for purchase from Grand Central Publishing and could serve as a poignant reminder of the complexities surrounding family dynamics, particularly under public scrutiny.

For anyone who suspects child abuse or needs support, helplines such as the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline are available 24/7, offering confidential assistance in multiple languages.