What In The?!? Elmo Voice Actor Accused Of Sex With Underage Boy! (PHOTOS)

There's some sad news out of Sesame Street! Kevin Clash, the voice of everyone's favorite red furry creature, aka Elmo, had to take a leave of absence from the popular children’s show after he was alleged to have had a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old boy.

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Clash has denied the allegations from a 23-year-old man, who claims he and the voice over actor began a sexual relationship 7 years ago when he was 16 and Clash was 45. 

As reported by TMZ:

Clash has acknowledged to TMZ he had a relationship with the young man -- but insists it only took place AFTER the accuser was an adult. 

Sesame Workshop honchos tell TMZ ... "In June of this year, Sesame Workshop received a communication from a young man who alleged that he had a relationship with Kevin Clash beginning when he was 16-years-old.  This was a personal relationship, unrelated to the workplace. We took the allegation very seriously and took immediate action." 

Sesame Workshop officials acknowledge to TMZ they met with the accuser twice and had a number of other communications with him. 

Clash admits a relationship with the man and says:

"I had a relationship with [the accuser]. It was between two consenting adults and I am deeply saddened that he is trying to make it into something it was not." 

Clash calls the accusations false and defamatory.

SOURCE: TMZ