TLC "reassessing" future of "Honey Boo Boo" amid reports of Mama June dating sex offender
The future of "Here Comes Honey Boo Boo" could be in jeopardy after a new report claims Mama June is in a relationship with a convicted child sex offender.
TMZ is alleging that matriarch June "Mama June" Shannon is romantically involved with a man who was recently released from prison and is a registered sex offender in the state of Georgia. The website claims the man was convicted of molesting one of Shannon's own relatives, who was 8 years old at the time of the crime.
In a statement to ET, TLC says they are "reassessing" whether they'll continue production of their hit reality show that centers around Shannon's daughter, former child beauty pageant contender Alana Thompson, and their family.
"TLC is not currently in production on 'Here Comes Honey Boo Boo,'" the cable channel told ET. "We are very concerned about this new information and are reassessing the future of the series."
Back in September, Mama June called it quits with her longtime boyfriend Mike "Sugar Bear" Thompson, father to Honey Boo Boo. In May of 2013, the pair (famously unmarried) took part in a commitment ceremony on the TLC show. "Sugar Bear and I have decided to take some time apart to figure out some things in our relationship," the former couple said in a statement. "We are taking things day by day, but regardless of what happens, the girls will always be our number one priority. We want to thank y'all for your support."
It was never officially confirmed whether the show had been greenlit for a fifth season, but Thompson did go on "Here Comes Honey Boo Boo"'s Facebook page back in September to tell fans the show would be returning in January. New episodes of the reality program have not aired since August.