The Real Reason Mama June Shannon Was Arrested

The following article includes mentions of sexual assault, child abuse, and drug use.

Mama June Shannon has led a colorful life, both on and off of reality television. The mother of four girls was born and raised in Georgia, per The Sun, and she first appeared on television with her youngest daughter Alana on TLC's "Toddlers & Tiaras." Soon after that appearance, TLC created a show focusing on their family titled "Here Comes Honey Boo Boo." The series followed Mama June, her partner Mike "Sugar Bear" Thompson, Alana "Honey Boo Boo," and Alana's older sisters Anna "Chickadee," Jessica "Chubbs," and Lauryn "Pumpkin." As the show began, Anna also had an infant daughter, Kaitlyn.

While plenty of drama was captured on-camera, it was off-camera chaos that led to the cancellation of "Here Comes Honey Boo Boo." Mama June had reportedly reunited with a former boyfriend, Mark McDaniel, a man whom Anna alleged had sexually abused her as a child (per Radar Online). Mama June didn't stay away from television for long though. Deadline shared she worked with WE tv to get weight loss surgery and documented it all on "Mama June: From Not to Hot." The series once again followed Mama June and her family's shenanigans, but things shifted significantly when the family matriarch ended up arrested and estranged from her family.

Before "Toddlers & Tiaras," Mama June Shannon had some legal trouble. In a since-deleted Facebook post, Mama June said the 2008 arrest was a contempt of court charge in a case related to one of her girls, seemingly regarding child support, per Jezebel. Mama June insisted an additional theft charge was dismissed the same day. That situation seemed minor in comparison to her 2019 arrest, though. 

As AL.com reported, Mama June and her boyfriend Geno Doak were arrested in March 2019 after an altercation at an Alabama gas station. The two argued and she alleged he threatened to kill her. Authorities found a crack pipe and crack cocaine in their vehicle and the two were charged with felonies. Mama June admitted to Us Weekly she had spent "like $750,000" on her cocaine habit.

Not only that, but Mama June also spent a significant amount of money on methamphetamine during those days. As ET Online shared, she admitted on her show, "Our habit was $2,500 a day, if not more," of meth at one point. She went through rehab and learned she would avoid jail time in her drug possession case. She agreed to court supervision and 100 hours of community service, and she was thrilled. As she said, per The Sun, "When you turn your life around, people see that and want to be positivity and give you another chance." 

If you or anyone you know has been a victim of sexual assault, help is available. Visit the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network website or contact RAINN's National Helpline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673). For substance abuse and mental health, please contact SAMHSA's 24-hour National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).