Mel Gibson Admits Slapping Oksana

TMZ has received some documents in the ongoing legal case between Oksana and Mel Gibson. In his declaration, Mel admits that he did slap Oksana one time. He says he never punched her, only slapped her with an open hand and did so to save the baby, Lucia, from what he thought was going to be her death.

Mel said he and Oksana were arguing. Oksana told Mel, "Stop yelling or you will make her into a retarded brain damaged idiot!" Oksana then ran from the house with Lucia and Mel was afraid that Oksana would fall down on the property and hurt Lucia. When Oksana came back inside, Oksana was "hysterical" and her "rapid movements were causing Lucia's little body to be flung from one side to the other, her head shaking violently."

So, he slapped her to get her to calm down. He insists it only happened once and he only did it to protect his child.