Mama June Shannon is causing quiet the controversy.
Weeks after being accused of dating convicted child molester Mark McDaniel, the same man who molested her oldest daughter Anna, 20, when she was only eight years old, Mama June is finally setting the records straight on the rumors surrounding her family.
In an interview with "Entertainment Tonight's" Brooke Anderson, the "Here Comes Honey Boo Boo" star denies having a romantic relationship with McDaniel, but admits to seeing him twice after he was released from jail after serving a 10-year sentence.
Mama June said the first encounter was a "coincidence" and the second was an arranged meeting to help her daughter, Lauryn, 14, also known as "Pumpkin," find closure. Lauryn was reportedly raised thinking that McDaniel was her biological father.
"Since two months to almost six years, she knew nobody but him," Mama June said about Lauryn. "She was starting to resent Anna and she was starting to ask me questions. I can't answer those questions for Pumpkin."
Mama June added that when the two met there were "twelve other people" around, adding, "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."
So, who is the young girl's biological father?
Well, according to Mama June, Lauryn's father is a man named Michael Anthony Ford, a convicted sex offender. Anthony was is currently serving time in prison for sexual exploitation of minors after being caught on To Catch a Predator in 2005.
Anthony is also the father of Mama June's 18-year-old daughter Jessica.
"Jessica and Pumpkin have the same dad, but Jessica's dad has had nothing to do with her over the years," Mama June 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."
The reality star said she understands why people would be upset with her having a relationship with McDaniel, saying,, "I understand that...and honestly it's not like I'm seeing him every day, I promise...I wanted to be able to give one of my other daughters closure and now Pumpkin is happy, that piece of our life is over."
The full interview will air on Thursday, on Entertainment Tonight."
