Collin Gosselin, known for his role as one of the sextuplets on the reality television show “Jon & Kate Plus 8,” has published a memoir detailing his allegations of abuse and neglect during his childhood. In “In the Shadow of Eight: Surviving the Reality of My Childhood,” released recently, Gosselin recounts experiences that sharply contrast with the family’s public image on the TLC series, which portrayed a large, happy family.

Gosselin, now 22, alleges that behind the cameras he endured physical and verbal abuse, isolation, and neglect. Among the claims detailed in his book are attempts to run away, being confined to a basement bedroom locked from the outside, and an incident where his mother, Kate Gosselin, allegedly restrained him with zip ties. He also describes his time spent in the Fairmount Behavioral Health System, a psychiatric facility where he was held for nearly two years, starting shortly before his 12th birthday.

While estranged from his mother, Gosselin maintains a close relationship with his father, Jon Gosselin, who gained legal and physical custody of him and his sister Hannah in 2018. Gosselin says his other siblings have not publicly supported him but does not fault them, suggesting they were influenced by their mother and shielded from much of what he endured.

In interviews, Gosselin expressed frustration that Kate Gosselin has not responded publicly to his allegations or agreed to take a polygraph test to address the claims, including the zip-tying incident. He described growing up under what he characterizes as abusive discipline, specifically disputing that repeated physical punishment qualifies as discipline. He said weekends were especially difficult as he was often confined alone in a locked basement room for hours or sometimes entire days, separate from his siblings.

Gosselin also describes the challenge of returning to an unsafe home after attempts to escape and characterizes his institutionalization as a form of imprisonment. He disputes his mother’s statements on social media regarding his psychiatric diagnoses and an alleged incident involving a weapon, clarifying that what was described as a weapon was, in fact, an art tool used during homeschooling.

The last conversation between Collin and Kate Gosselin took place several years ago during a brief visit to the psychiatric facility, during which he said his mother accused him of breaking the family and indicated their siblings did not want to communicate with him.

Beyond his personal narrative, Gosselin advocates for increased oversight and protections for children involved in entertainment and social media. He stresses the importance of parental responsibility in safeguarding children and warns against treating young performers as financial assets rather than individuals with rights and needs.

Representatives for Kate Gosselin and Fairmount Behavioral Health System did not respond to requests for comment.