'Honey Boo Boo' Scandal Could Lead To Custody Battle

Published
ETONLINE

The fallout over Here Comes Honey Boo Boo allegations continued in Georgia on Tuesday as reports surfaced that Alana "Honey Boo Boo" Thompson's father, Mike "Sugar Bear" Thompson, might be fighting for custody over her.

VIDEO: Honey Boo Boo Before the Fame

These developments follow TLC's cancellation of the show following reports that Honey Boo Boo's mother, June "Mama June" Shannon was allegedly dating convicted sex offender Mark McDaniel again. Mama June maintains that she hasn't seen Mark since they broke up 10 years ago.

"This can play out in a couple of different ways," legal analyst Darren Kavinoky told ET. "Either in a family court action that's brought by Sugar Bear or the Department of Children Services can decide to get involved on their own."

Child Protective authorities investigated Mama June in 2012 after Honey Boo Boo was seen on Toddlers & Tiaras drinking "go-go juice" -- a blend of Mountain Dew and Red Bull -- but no charges were ever filed.

NEWS: Could Mama June Lose Her Kids?

Mama June's eldest daughter Anna "Chickadee" Shannon, now 20, recently spoke out, telling People that she was molested by McDaniel when she was eight years old. Court documents allege that McDaniel molested her multiple times between April and Oct. 2002.

"I think that [Mama June] is really in denial," said psychotherapist Beatty Cohan. "Maybe in her world this is something that is not serious. She is selfish. She is narcissistic. She is delusional and she is an unfit mom."

Mama June responded to the show's cancellation via Facebook, writing, "It isn't true. I promise my kids r #1 priority over anything else and I would never put them in danger, period, over this or anything else. They r my life. This is my past. I left him 10 yrs ago for it and I wouldn't go back."