Kate Gosselin caught in alleged child abuse

In front of a camera — her favorite place — Kate Gosselin seems like Supermom. But on Saturday, the 34-year old diva made a major mistake — Supermoms shouldn’t spank.

Eyewitnesses report that Kate and her seedlings were playing outside their plush, Pennsylvania home when five-year old Leah began blowing a whistle. Kate told her to stop as she was taking a call. Leah did it once more…and Kate snapped.

She marched over to Leah, grabbed her arm and then hit her.

“The girl was screaming and crying,” one witness tells Us. “Kate just pushed her away and walked off with her coffee.” Leah’s older sisters tried to make Leah feel better, but her father was, once again, nowhere in sight.

To attempt damage control, Kate’s people released a terse statement, “Whether the paparazzi are there or not, I am a mother first.” Mamma Gosselin whines, “I love my children and when they misbehave, I discipline them as I deem appropriate for the situation.”

No word of apology, and no sign of concern — Either in writing, or there on the day.

The pair’s reality show has been a storming success for TLC, scoring the highest ratings ever achieved by the channel — 9.4-million viewers. But this week’s recorded a mere 2.9 – which, for most shows would mean certain death.

With gaping cracks in their marriage, and now Kate’s violent mood, you truly must wonder how long this can last?