Honey Boo Boo's mom "Mama June" Shannon is shown in...

Honey Boo Boo's mom "Mama June" Shannon is shown in Mcintyre, Georgia on Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2013. Credit: PacificCoastNews.com

The eldest daughter of "Here Comes Honey Boo Boo" matriarch June Shannon has revealed she was the child molested by Mark McDaniel, the convicted sex offender whose reported new relationship with Shannon caused TLC to cancel the hit reality show.

The network said Friday it has "ended all activities around the series, effective immediately. Supporting the health and welfare of these remarkable children is our only priority. TLC is faithfully committed to the children's ongoing comfort and well-being," it added, without specifying details. The show starred Shannon and her four daughters, including child-pageant contender Alana "Honey Boo Boo" Thompson.

Eldest child Anna Marie "Chickadee" Cardwell, 20, told People magazine Saturday that McDaniel, 53, "would try and touch me and all that stuff" when she was 8 and McDaniel and Shannon were dating. TMZ.com, which first reported the renewed relationship, said he was released in March after serving 10 years in prison for aggravated child molestation.

"Mama said the story isn't true and she said she hasn't seen Mark since he's been out of jail," Cardwell told People about reports and recent photos indicating Shannon and McDaniel are dating. "I'm hearing one story from Mama and another one from someone else."

She added, however, "I would not let her see Kaitlyn" -- Cardwell's 2-year-old daughter -- "unless Mark is out of the picture or away because I don't want him nowhere near my child."

After the show's cancellation, Shannon posted a Facebook video saying, "Just got a phone call this morning from TLC and as of right now there will be no more production of the show. The statement of me dating a sex offender is totally untrue." She expressed appreciation "to all our awesome fans."

Top Stories

Newsday LogoSUBSCRIBEUnlimited Digital AccessOnly 25¢for 5 months
ACT NOWSALE ENDS SOON | CANCEL ANYTIME