Mother and Son Face Felony Charges After Romantic Reunion Turns Sexual
Monica Mares was just sixteen years old when she gave birth to her son, Caleb Peterson, and made the difficult decision to place him for adoption only a week later. For over two decades, the pair had no contact whatsoever, living separate lives until Caleb, at age nineteen, decided to search for his birth mother through Facebook.
The initial online exchanges progressed over several weeks, culminating in an in-person meeting around the Christmas period. It was during this face-to-face encounter that Monica began experiencing what she later described as "crazy" and overwhelming emotions towards her own biological son.
A Rapid and Controversial Relationship Development
Shortly after their reunion, Caleb moved in with Monica, and within a matter of weeks, their relationship transformed into a sexual one. Monica recounted the pivotal moment when she vocalised her feelings to Caleb, stating, "I’m sorry I don’t know how you are going to react to this. I’m your mum and you’re my son, but I’m falling in love with you." Caleb reportedly confessed that he shared these same romantic sentiments.
The couple began living openly together in New Mexico, though they initially attempted to maintain discretion. However, neighbours quickly grew suspicious of their unusual dynamic, leading to police intervention after reports of a nearby argument.
Legal Consequences and Social Backlash
Upon investigation, authorities discovered the true nature of Monica and Caleb's relationship, resulting in their arrest and charges under New Mexico's incest laws, which classify such acts as a fourth-degree felony. Both individuals were released on bail but are legally prohibited from having any contact with each other.
Since the arrest, Monica has faced severe social repercussions, including death threats and warnings about potential dangers if she is incarcerated. She is currently barred from seeing Caleb or her other children, yet she remains defiant, asserting, "If they lock me up for love then they lock me up. There is no way anybody could pull us apart, and I really do love him."
Defiance and Dismissal of Expert Concerns
Caleb has expressed that he never truly perceived Monica as a maternal figure, explaining, "I never had anyone cook me meals or give me anything. I never got anything my entire life and she went out of her way to make me happy." He further described the relationship as feeling normal and akin to meeting a stranger at a club, rather than something inherently wrong.
Experts have raised alarms about the significant power imbalances often present in such relationships, particularly between a parent and a child, warning of potential psychological harm. Monica, however, dismisses these concerns, arguing that if she had raised Caleb from infancy, the romantic attachment likely would not have developed. She now considers him the love of her life, stating, "It felt like I met somebody new and fell in love with him."
The case continues to unfold as Monica and Caleb vow to fight for their right to be together, challenging both legal statutes and societal norms in a highly controversial and emotionally charged situation.
