Elmo puppeteer Kevin Clash has resigned from "Sesame Street," following allegations that he had sex with an underaged youth.

Huffington Post reports that Sesame Workshop issued a statement Tuesday, saying: "the controversy surrounding Kevin's personal life has become a distraction that none of us want," leading Clash to conclude "that he can no longer be effective in his job."

The report continues to say the resignation was proffered as a second lawsuit was being filed in federal court in New York, charging Clash with sexual abuse of another youth.

Clash is credited with breathing life into the Elmo character, and has been behind the loveable, red monster puppet since the mid-80's.

Read the full Huffington Post report here.