Man Who Accused Elmo Puppeteer of Inappropriate Relationship Rec - kcentv.com - KCEN HD - Waco, Temple, and Killeen

(KCEN) -- Just days after a man made allegations of an underage relationship with the puppeteer behind Elmo, that man is now recanting his story.

The man, who is now 23, claimed he started a relationship with puppeteer Kevin Clash when he was 16.

Clash, who is 52, stated that was never the case, and that it was a relationship between two consenting adults.

His accuser released a statement through his attorneys, acknowledging that was indeed the case.

Clash says he's relieved the painful allegation has been put to rest.

He had taken a leave of absence from "Sesame Street."