For the past few years everyone considered Honey Boo Boo and family a big-hearted bunch of radical habits touched with a zing of hillbilly. People either loved them or loved to hate them, but it seems a darker eclipse is on the horizon, following Mama June Shannon. Reports surfaced from media outlets like TMZ, regarding the rekindling of a disturbing relationship. She had reconnected with a man who served 10 years in prison for molesting a child, and not just any child, but her own daughter Anna Cardwell (Chickadee). Mama June batted off the accusation, calling it lies. TMZ then reprinted a story with pictures to show that photos don’t lie.
The disturbing news reeled fans, family and even TLC. The network issued a statement, advising the show was canceled, pending a review of the allegations. Suddenly, the charmingly hillbilly family was being exposed for some very dark secrets.
For Mike Thompson (Sugar Bear) he is conflicted on what to do next to get Alana Thompson (Honey Boo Boo) away from a glaring situation. If indeed Mama June is connected to Mark McDaniel, that could bring a legal risk to the family, as under law child molesters are conditioned to stay away from the victimized children. McDaniel can communicate with the other children unless a new case is filed. Many fans have supported the family and stated they believe Mama June, but even that extra strong support seems to be waning.
To make matters worse, it seems Mama June has an issue dating deeply troubled men. In 2005, Michael Anthony Ford, 27, the father to Jessica (Chubbs) was convicted of sexual exploitation of a child over the Internet.
These motions exhibited by McDaniel and Ford don’t happen overnight. Thompson also has a record of robbing items from several campsites and even setting fire to one. Sad to see it seems Thompson is the only one who cares about the welfare of Honey Boo Boo. The father said he is pretty much broke now, and lives out of a trailer TLC provided for him when he split from Mama June.
Basically, Mama June has control over all the finances, but based on the information seen lately? Her grip will also loosen as those funds become a thing of the past.
Society likes to see and hear about rags to riches stories, but Mama June has effectively placed the family in a predicament. She admitted on video she is friends with McDaniel and nothing more. Is that a sufficient relationship to hold with a persona who sexually assaulted your daughter?
As parents, the choices made affect those around us, especially our children. If Mama June is exposing her youngest daughter to a convicted child molester, it is something that should be legally reviewed.
In the meantime, fans are demanding TLC do a spin-off from the show featuring Sugar Bear. Check out the petition on Change.org for more information. What are your thoughts on this situation?
by: Paul Rivera
