Pumpkin Embraces New Role as 'Sister Mom' to Honey Boo Boo in Wake of Mama June Struggles

Lauryn "Pumpkin" Shannon is trying to ensure her sister, Alana "Honey Boo Boo" Thompson, has a positive 14th birthday.

Taking to Instagram Thursday morning to wish Alana the best and happiest, Pumpkin, 19, referred to herself as Honey Boo Boo's "sister mom." She also alluded to the family's struggles since their failed intervention on matriarch "Mama June" Shannon over five months ago, which left Lauryn caring for Alana full time. She's currently her legal guardian.

"Happy birthday to my not so little sister," Pumpkin captioned a closeup shot of Honey Boo Boo making a silly face. "Today you're 14 and I'm so happy I get to spend it with you."

"Things haven't been the easiest lately but I promise we will get through it," she continued. "I love being there for you when you need me most. And I enjoy being your sister mom. I hope today is all you wish for and more."

During the season finale of "Mama June: From Not to Hot," which was filmed in March and aired at the end of May, Mama June's family staged an intervention at her Georgia home in the hopes of getting the 40-year-old reality star some serious help. Both Lauryn and Alana begged their mom to go to rehab and break up with her boyfriend, Geno Doak, who they believed was contributing greatly to her downward spiral. Her mental and physical health had already started to decline.

June began dating Geno in 2016, and their tumultuous relationship has included a proposal, death threats, arrests and judge's orders to stay away from one another. Things have only gotten worse.

"If this intervention doesn't work, she's mentally going to have an actual breakdown," Pumpkin told the cameras during the intervention, before addressing her mom directly. "Physically, it's like you don't care about your health. I'm concerned about you. We care about you. Alana cares about you. Jessica cares about you. [Your sister] Doe Doe cares about you. And it's like everybody's trying to get you back healthy, and you have tunnel vision, and the only person you see is Geno."

Alana, who was sitting on the couch, began to cry. She told her mom she'd been living with Pumpkin because she felt "unsafe" living with June.

"I swear to God, Mama, it's not by choice," Honey Boo Boo said through tears. "I would love to come home and stay with you, tell you about my day, but I can't do that because I'm scared. I'm scared to stay at your house."

While it was never mentioned on camera what exactly June needed help for, she agreed to enter treatment. She left the facility after only 12 hours.

Two days later, she was arrested at an Alabama gas station for possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia, including a crack pipe and a pill bottle with white residue, which she admitted was crack cocaine. Geno was arrested on the same charges, in addition to third-degree domestic violence.

It's been a downward spiral ever since, with an intoxicated Geno crashing his truck into the garage of their Alabama home, the couple selling many of their personal possessions on Facebook, and the latest being their apparent decision to leave the Georgia house and move into an RV.

Mama June is also mama to Anna "Chickadee" Cardwell and Jessica "Chubbs" Shannon.

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