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Was Mama June’s Daughter Molested? Here’s What We Know
When it comes to Mama June, all anyone can talk about in recent months is the From Not to Hot star’s incredible weight loss. But focus on her new figure has brought up an old scandal — one that caused TLC to cancel the 37-year-old’s hit show, Here Comes Honey Boo Boo.
In 2014, it was revealed that June’s eldest daughter, Anna Cardwell, had been molested by the mother-of-four’s ex-boyfriend, Mark McDaniel, when she was just eight years old.
MORE: Sugar Bear Curses at Mama June’s Daughter “Pumpkin” During ‘From Not to Hot’ Reunion
According to a graphic 2003 sheriff’s report obtained by Us Weekly, Anna told police that Mark had touched “her private parts” and would urinate on her while June was at work. He told Anna that if she spoke of the abuse to anyone, he wouldn’t “like her anymore.” June’s three-year-old daughter Lauryn (aka “Pumpkin”) was present during the molestation.
Mark McDaniel’s photo on the Georgia sex offender registry.
After serving 10 years in prison for aggravated child molestation, Mark was allegedly spotted hanging around June, despite their disturbing history. Photos of the duo together led TLC to cancel Here Comes Honey Boo Boo after four seasons.
It was reported at the time that Anna was understandably upset over her mother’s actions, and their estrangement continues to this day — though June blames it on greed.
“She’s had opportunities to get on From Not to Hot and I think that for her, it’s more of ‘Okay, Mama is on TV and I’m not part of it, I’m not getting any money off of it.’ So it’s more like a jealousy thing,” she told Life & Style in an exclusive interview.
“We really don’t talk,” she added. “She goes through phases like that where we don’t talk and then she will want me to come meet [her daughter] Kaitlyn.”
According to Radar Online, Anna is currently separated from her husband of nearly three years, Michael Cardwell, and has moved in with former stepfather, Mike “Sugar Bear” Thompson, and his new wife, Jennifer Lamb.
