Pumpkin believed that child molester Mark McDaniel was her father, but Honey Boo Boo's mother admits that Pumpkin and Jessica's biological father is sex offender Michael Anthony Ford.
- Nov 13, 2014
AceShowbiz - Mama June Shannon has spoken up about her alleged reunion with sex offender ex-boyfriend Mark McDaniel and the paternity of her daughter Pumpkin. In an interview with ET's Brooke Anderson, she denies rekindling romance with the newly released child molester Mark, but reveals a past relationship with another sex offender.
"I have nothing to hide, I have nothing to lose," Mama June says of her decision on doing the interview. "I just want, honestly, to tell my side of the story and let's move on." According to the reality TV star, she has only seen Mark twice since he was released from jail after serving 10 years.
The first meeting was coincidental and the second was an arranged meeting "with twelve other people." Mama June claims she arranged the second meeting to give closure to her daughter Pumpkin, who was raised believing McDaniel was her biological father. "Since two months to almost six years, she knew nobody but him," she explains. "She was starting to resent Anna and she was starting to ask me questions. I can't answer those questions for Pumpkin."
The 35-year-old mother of four details the meeting, "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 real father of Pumpkin? According to Mama June, Pumpkin's biological father is Michael Anthony Ford, a convicted sex offender who was caught on "To Catch a Predator" in 2005 and currently serves his time in prison. He 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 says. "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."
Mama June understands why people were upset over her being seen with Mark, but insists that she won't put her children in danger. "...honestly it's not like I'm seeing him everyday, 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," she claims.
She also believes that Alana Thompson a.k.a. Honey Boo Boo is not in danger because the 8-year-old girl has had minimal contact with Mark. "He never really talked to her," Mama June says, adding that the only time Alana was around her ex-boyfriend was when "twelve other people [were] there too."
The full interview will air in several parts beginning Thursday, November 13 on ET.
