Jon Gosselin Seeks Criminal Charges Against Kate Over Collin's Claims, Urges Her To 'Tell The Truth'
Jon Gosselin says Kate could face criminal charges over son Collin's abuse claims, pushes back on her mental illness comments, and urges her to tell the truth after years of alleged lies.
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Add BollywoodShaadis on GoogleJon Gosselin is publicly calling on his ex-wife, Kate Gosselin, to "tell the truth" about their son Collin's troubled childhood, saying he believes she could face criminal charges. The former reality TV star has also pushed back against Kate's suggestion that Collin's accusations are connected to mental illness, insisting that his son deserves to be heard.
In new interviews ahead of their Netflix documentary, Jon urged the rest of his children to read Collin's book and understand the alleged trauma their brother was put through. He recently said that even he didn't know about the extent of psychological trauma Collin faced while Jon was under a 10-year gag order.
Jon Gosselin urges Kate to 'tell the truth' after Collin's memoir release
In an interview with Entertainment Tonight that aired Wednesday, October 21, 2026, Jon said he believes he has enough grounds to pursue legal action against Kate, though he acknowledged that criminal charges would ultimately be up to the state. He said:
"She needs to stop. He is not mentally ill. I would definitely have grounds to sue Kate for defamation and libel. I don't even think it's suing. I think it's just criminal charges. So, that's up to the state."
Jon's comments come after the release of Collin's memoir, In the Shadow of Eight: Surviving the Reality of My Childhood, earlier this month. The book has renewed public scrutiny of the family's turbulent history and their years on TLC's Jon & Kate Plus 8.
In his memoir, Collin describes what he characterizes as physical and emotional abuse during his childhood. One of his most explosive claims was that Kate zip-tied his wrists and ankles and confined him in a small room in the family's basement. He also recounts being sent to a behavioral health facility in 2016, when he was 12, where he was allegedly isolated from his family and heavily medicated.
Kate has repeatedly disputed aspects of Collin's account. The drama intensified after Kate made social media comments referencing mental illness in response to discussion of Collin's claims. The 22-year-old told TMZ that he had undergone several psychological evaluations and challenged his mother's characterization of his mental health.
Jon has also warned Kate that he believes she could face consequences for describing their son as mentally ill. Earlier this month, he told Us Weekly that she would be held accountable if she continued making statements he considers false. Speaking to Entertainment Tonight, Jon questioned why the events Collin describes had not prompted greater intervention. He said:
"What if I did these so-called things? Where would I be sitting right now? I'd be sitting in a jumpsuit, and we would be doing a live feed."
Jon emphasized that the period Collin describes in his memoir came after the couple's separation in 2009. He also addressed Collin's claim that Kate had driven a wedge between the father-son duo by telling each of them that the other did not want contact.
Jon hopes Collin's memoir will encourage his siblings to consider their own experiences and, if they feel comfortable, share their perspectives. Speaking to TMZ recently, he urged them to read the book and understand events from their brother's point of view. He also had a direct message for Kate and the estranged children:
"To my ex-wife, 'Tell the truth. You know it's there.' And to my children, 'Read Colin's book, your brother's book. We love you. We miss you. And I hope you can see it in your own eyes and your own heart.'"
Gosselin family set to revisit their reality TV years in new documentary
The family's conflicting history is set to be explored in a newly announced Netflix documentary featuring Jon, Collin and Collin's sister Hannah. The project is expected to look at life behind the scenes during and after the family's rise to fame. The release date has not been confirmed yet.
Jon said the documentary could fill gaps in the public timeline, noting that his perspective was largely absent after he left the family's reality show. He also revealed that a 10-year gag order had prevented him from speaking freely for years, which left him hesitant about returning to the spotlight even after the order ended in 2018.
Collin, meanwhile, has said he is considering legal action against his mother, including the possibility of filing a police report. No criminal charges have been announced in connection with his claims. He also refuted his sister Hannah's recent claims that she has had no contact with him for over a year.
What are your thoughts about Jon Gosselin's words about his ex-wife? Let us know.
Image courtesy: Instagram, TLC
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