EXCLUSIVE! KATE GOSSELIN ABUSE SCANDAL

Kate Gosselin Abuse Scandal

K ATE GOSSELIN has turned her home into a prison where her children are forced to eat stale food and are terrorized with spankings!

In shocking court documents, obtained exclusively by The National ENQUIRER, the “Kate Plus 8” star was blasted by her ex-hubby and former co-star, Jon Gosselin, over 16 “unresolved issues.”

In addition to enduring frequent smackings, the duo’s brood – 14-year-old twins Madelyn and Cara; and 10-year-old sextuplets Aaden, Collin, Joel, Leah, Hannah and Alexis – allegedly are petrified by Kate’s rules that prevent them from using the bathroom at night!

“The children told teachers that they were scared and that Alexis had broken a mirror when she could not get out of her room to use the bathroom,” Jon, 38, alleged in the documents, which were submitted to the Berks County [Pennsylvania] Court of Common Pleas as part of his campaign to win greater control of the kids, whom he said are being treated “like garbage” by Kate, 40.

The documents were filed one year after the couple announced their plans to divorce on their TLC reality show but were kept secret – until now!

“Father spoke to the children and they told him that Mother had switched the doorknobs on their bedrooms [so the doors only lock from the outside], and had been locking them in their rooms for some time,” according to the account.

“Father is greatly concerned for the children’s safety if they are being locked in their rooms at night – not to mention that it is a fire hazard!”

Jon said he has seen evidence of Kate’s abusive behavior when he has visitation rights – on Tuesday nights and alternating weekends.

Kate said she uses “time-outs” when they misbehave. But on a Tuesday bath night, Jon said he noticed a “large red welt” on the rear end of Leah.

“Leah explained that it was from Mother, after Leah bit Hannah…” said the filings, which continue: “While Father would prefer that Mother not physically discipline the children, if Mother is going to do so, she should not do so to the point of leaving marks on children. Several children have come forward to Father complaining that they get hurt when Mother spanks them.”

He said Kate’s regimen also jeopardizes the kids’ health. If one of them doesn’t eat an item in their lunchbox, “Mother packs that exact same item the next day, and the next day until they eat it. Hannah reported having moldy strawberries and Alexis said her sandwich is stale.” The same leftovers were packed in 
Leah’s box “for many weeks.”

As The ENQUIRER previously reported, Kate ordered staff to cut back on the kids’ rations: “Serve very, very small servings. I HATE WASTING FOOD!” she fumed.

 Branding Kate an “unfit mother,” a source close to the situation said that Jon is still prepared to ramp up his battle and sue for full custody if the alleged cruelty continues.

“Kate has paddled some of the children with a wooden spoon she calls ‘The Spanker,’” the insider revealed.

“In one incident about five years ago, Kate went to smack Mady and hit her arm with ‘The Spanker’ right before school. When Mady got to school, she couldn’t move her arm and had to see the nurse.

“During the investigation, Mady did say her mother hit her, but the other kids were too scared to say anything. Kate never admitted anything, and she only got a slap on the wrist.”

Kate was investigated twice more when “individuals” reported other incidents, according to the source.

She [Kate] is just nasty, nasty, nasty,” Ashley Hartz, a social worker and former Gosselin nanny, told The ENQUIRERsaid. “There is something seriously wrong with her.”