'Go-Go Juice' Pushing Pageant Mom Should Go Straight to Jail

on February 9, 2012 at 12:16 PM

Alana Thompson We should have learned to never say never long ago when it comes to the families featured on Toddlers & Tiaras, yet they keep surprising us by going to awful, dreadful places we never thought any parent would go. Up once again in the how-the-hell-could-she spotlight is pageant mom June Shannon.

The mother of 6-year-old Alana Thompson, better known as "Honey Boo Boo" (a name she gave herself), Shannon is currently under fire for the Go-Go Juice we've seen her give to her daughter to keep her energy levels up. Horrifying enough is knowing that she's feeding this child straight sugar and caffeine and loads of it -- it's a combination of Mountain Dew and Red Bull -- but her recent defense of the "toddler crack," should be grounds for her arrest.

She told Good Morning America:

When they do get on stage you have to be alive and…your personality has to shine a long day. A pageant day can last from 7 in the morning to 6,7,8,9, 10 at night, so performing and getting a kid up that early and lasting all day without a rest, you have to energize their body. There are far worse things, I could be giving her alcohol.

Um, yes you could, if you want to go to JAIL. And I wish she could go to jail for this too. While both are legal substances, the way in which she's using them and the intent -- just to win a freaking crown -- are criminal. Weed killer is legal too, but not if you pour it down your kid's throat.

And the substances aren't harmless. Beyond the obvious threats like obesity and poor nutrition, ABC points to experts who say too much caffeine and sugar can lead to neurological and cardiovascular problems as well as physical dependence and addiction. Just look at Demi Moore.

Shannon's response to such health problems just makes me want to cry:

She’s got meat on her. She’s not skinny but, whether skinny or fat, I am still going to love my children regardless. I could care less if they get up to 1,000 pounds; I am still going to love them.

It's child abuse plain and simple as far I'm concerned -- to knowingly put your child's health in danger so blatantly for what are selfish reasons. No, we can't arrest every parent who gives their child junk food -- nor should we -- but when it comes to something this flagrant and outrageous, I think at least an investigation is needed.

If you have any doubts, just watch them in action.

Do you think parents pushing substances like this on their kids should be criminally charged?

Image via ABC

About the author Julie Ryan Evans

can be found writing from coffee houses wherever she may be. The quality of her days is largely influenced by the seat she nabs and whether a protein plate is available.

Filed Under: a mom's life, toddler health, toddler activities

Comments (37)

fraoch

on Feb 9, 2012 at 12:24 PM

I don't find just this as child abuse, I find pretty much everything the parents on that show does (or in any pagent) as child abuse. It's sickening the way they exploit their children, sexualize them and ruin their childhoods.

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starlight1968

on Feb 9, 2012 at 12:26 PM

not jail but definitly a parenting class.

RoughGem

on Feb 9, 2012 at 12:31 PM

She should go straight to jail? For breaking WHAT law exactly? Look, we're talking about Mountain Dew here, not crack cocaine. Obviously, no, she should NOT be giving her child so much caffeine and sugar (since when does a 6 year old need MORE energy??) but, like it or not, there is nothing illegal about it.

Stacey.

I tried to read the article but all I could see was a fat disgusting pig that shouldn't have a child. Seems she's living vicariously thru her little girl since she clearly is no beauty queen. This is super sick.

Nonmember comment from KathyT.

on Feb 9, 2012 at 12:32 PM

This is beyond frightening. That kid's going to grow up and be obese, unhealthy, and have absolutely no self esteem. That mother should be arrested and her children taken away from her.

Nonmember comment from Q

on Feb 9, 2012 at 12:35 PM

Here we go again...BAD parenting IS NOT illegal! Every time you talk about putting these poorly-raised kids in foster care, please consider the thousands of children being raped and beaten in their homes and there are NOT ENOUGH decent foster homes for THEM!!!! Stop this nonsense, it is just not realistic. Terrible parenting? Yes. Legal criteria for abuse? NO! Where do you think you're going to place all these kids? Are you a foster parent?? Want to be??

the4mutts

on Feb 9, 2012 at 12:42 PM

A fat disgusting pig, that shouldn't have a child? Really?
Look, the lady isn't doing RIGHT by her child, and should be repremanded. But jail? Having her child taken?
That would be like saying that because you're such a judgemental bitch that you shouldn't have children.
Stick to the POINT being made, instead of stooping to the 5th grade insult of "fat pig"

lilbabyboo2012

on Feb 9, 2012 at 12:44 PM

Exactly...it amazes me how almost all the moms on this show are either way overweight, incredibly unattractive, or both! They're clearly using their little girls to fulfill some life long dream they've had to be attractive...If they put a quarter as much energy into taking care of themselves then they wouldn't feel the need to do that to their poor daughters, they would feel better, and their kids and families would be happier! But instead they're just screaming "I'm not sexy so I'm gonna make my 3 year old daughter a sexy beast!" So wrong...

Karissa_ruiz

on Feb 9, 2012 at 1:05 PM

I agree w/ starlight. Jail is a bit much.

RhondaVeggie

on Feb 9, 2012 at 1:21 PM

Oh yeah, because turning your daughter in to a fat little blimp is the way to establish a career as a beauty queen. Not that I think anyone should want that for their child, especially at such a young age, but her actions are so counter productive. That poor kid is well on track to be morbidly obese like her mom and her mom is just shoving her down that track.