Weeks after TLC decided to cancel the reality series "Here Comes Honey Boo Boo" over allegations that family matriarch "Mama June" Shannon was in a relationship with the man who molested one of her daughters, Shannon herself has come forward with more upsetting information about her engagement with sex offenders. In an interview with "Entertainment Tonight," Shannon revealed that the father of two of her daughters -- 18-year-old Jessica and 14-year-old Lauryn "Pumpkin" Shannon -- is Michael Anthony Ford, a convicted sex offender who served time after being caught on NBC's "To Catch a Predator."
"Jessica and Pumpkin have the same dad, but Jessica's dad has had nothing to do with her over the years," Shannon said. "So, why the hell would I open up that can of worms until today? I lied to my family and told them it was somebody else."
Shannon, mother of the reality show's 10-year-old namesake Alana "Honey Boo Boo" Shannon, has been playing defense since she was spotted with Mark McDaniel, who reportedly molested her daughter Anna nearly two decades ago. According to Shannon, she has only seen McDaniel two times since he was released from prison in March, after serving a 10-year sentence for sexual abuse. The first time was a coincidence, she claims, and the second on purpose -- so McDaniel could see Pumpkin, who believed the man was her father.
"I was sitting right there with 12 other people," Shannon told "ET." "It was a conversation that she wanted her answers: what happened, why did he leave, you know, if he was her real father. He admitted to her, no. I had already told her that but, you know, she wanted to hear from both sides of the story."
Shannon reiterated again that she is not seeing McDaniel, and that her recent involvement with him was for her daughter's benefit. As for why she's speaking out, she says she wanted to tell the truth. "I have nothing to hide, I have nothing to lose," she said. "I just want, honestly, to tell my side of the story and let’s move on."
Watch a clip from Shannon's interview with ET below:
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