It's the latest controversy surrounding TLC's hit, Toddlers and Tiara's. Speaking exclusivley to INSIDE EDITION, the mother behind, "Go-Go Juice," explains why she gives so much sugar to her daughter.
June Shannon is the mom from TLC's hit show Toddlers and Tiaras and she's taking a lot of heat for giving her daughter, Alana something she calls "go-go juice." She says it gives her six-year-old a boost of energy for pageants.
Shannon says many of the moms she meets on the kid pageant circuit have their own techniques for boosting their kids energy level. Some use surgary Pixie Stix but Shannon has her own, very controversial recipe.
INSIDE EDITION's Megan Alexander asked Shannon, "What exactly is in the go-go-juice?"
"The go-go juice is just Mountain Dew and just a hint of Red Bull," Shannon explained.
The six-year-old is drinking a soda rich in caffeine and sugar and then it's spiked with a little Red Bull.
Alexander had to ask what was making Alana so energetic during our interview.
"Has she had any go-go juice today?" asked Alexander.
Shannon replied, "Not go-go juice. She just drank plain, a half a thing of Mountain Dew. And this is her, every day, all the time."
Alexander said, "She's bouncing off the walls because you gave her Mountain Dew."
Pediatrician Dr. Cheryl Wu says parents giving children these types of drinks are making a big mistake.
"It is the last thing we want to be giving our kids and if I were to see these parents, I would tell them to stop immediately," said Wu.
On The Talk, Sara Gilbert even said it's time for the authorities to step in.
"They're drinking pure sugar, pure caffeine. They're literally drugging their children. I'd be calling child protective services," said Gilbert.
Alexander asked Shannon, "They think your child should be taken away from you. How do you respond?"
Shannon replied, "Please, not just her, but my other two children, they are very well taken care of."
