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'Honey Boo Boo' Can Be Around Convicted Child Molester: Cops

By Brett Snider, Esq. on October 28, 2014 | Last updated on March 21, 2019

Reality TV star "Honey Boo Boo" can legally be in the same home as a convicted child molester, even though the man allegedly molested her older sister more than a decade ago.

Mark McDaniel, the new beau of "Here Comes Honey Boo Boo" matriarch Mama June (aka June Shannon), was released from prison in March after serving 10 years for aggravated child molestation. According to Radar Online, McDaniel was arrested for forcing sexual contact on Anna Marie Shannon, the then 8-year-old daughter of Mama June, and was the subject of several molestation charges before accepting a plea deal.

Considering those facts, how is McDaniel still allowed to be near Alana "Honey Boo Boo" Thompson, who's only 9?

Residency Restrictions for Sex Offenders

It seems pretty likely that McDaniel would have to register as a sex offender as part of his plea bargain for child molestation. As part of that requirement, sex offenders in Georgia would typically be restricted from living within close proximity to many schools or churches, but maybe not in McDaniel's case. Why?

Georgia's residency restrictions for sex offenders vary depending on the time when the offense was committed. According to The Augusta Chronicle, those who committed sex offenses prior to June 4, 2003, are not subject to the 1,000-foot restrictions on living near places that provide services to minors (e.g., schools, libraries, etc.).

Since many of the alleged offenses McDaniel committed were between 2002 and 2003, he may fall outside the scope of Georgia's residency restrictions, despite being a convicted child molester.

Anna and Honey Boo Boo

The descriptions of the molestation perpetrated on the young Anna are truly horrific, so it seems only right that the now-adult victim has the right to be nowhere near her former attacker. Even in the absence of a conviction, courts are generally more than happy to provide restraining orders against suspects who are accused of abusing children.

TMZ reports that while McDaniel may be prohibited from being near Anna, police say he is in "total compliance" when it comes to spending time with Mama June and Honey Boo Boo following his release. As far as the law is concerned, Mama June can make up her own mind about the men in her and her daughter's life.

And as the child raised on reality TV can tell you, Mama June has pretty stellar judgment.

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