Mel Gibson admits slapping Oksana Grigorieva

‘Braveheart’ star Mel Gibson has admitted he slapped Oksana Grigorieva, claiming her hysterical behavior was endangering their baby.

However, the actor has denied hitting her.

Gibson referred to the explosive argument, which triggered the L.A. County Sheriff”s Department domestic violence investigation.

Earlier, Grigorieva claimed Gibson punched her in the temple and in the mouth, knocking out two teeth.

According to his declaration filed with the court, Gibson said he and Grigorieva were having one of their frequent arguments at his Malibu home, when Grigorieva grabbed Lucia out her of bassinet, brought her right in the middle of the argument and screamed.

“Stop yelling or you will make her into a retarded brain damaged idiot!” TMZ.com quoted him as he wrote in the declaration.

Gibson added Grigorieva 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.”

“I slapped Oksana one time with an open hand in an attempt to bring her back to reality. I did not slap her hard, I was just trying to shock her so that she would stop screaming, continuing shaking Lucia back and forth,” he said.

As for Grigorieva’s claims, he said, “I did not hit Oksana with a closed fist, as she alleges. I did not ever punch her in the face or in the temple or anywhere else, not then or at any other time.”