The tragic excuse a son gave to police after “falling in love” with his mom has been revealed.
Monica Mares was 16 years old when she made the difficult decision to put her son, Caleb Peterson, up for adoption just one week after giving birth.
“I’m sorry, I don’t know how you are going to react to this. I’m your mom, and you’re my son, but I’m falling in love with you,” she allegedly told him, The Sun reported.
Monica and Caleb were charged with incest
Bizarrely, the son also developed feelings for his mom, and their relationship quickly turned sexual.
They were soon charged with incest, which is considered a fourth-degree felony in the state, and in March 2017, they were found guilty after pleading no contest and sentenced to three years’ probation, as well as being banned from contact.
“We decided that, after much consideration, it wouldn’t serve any purpose, in my opinion and in talking with the detective in this matter, to put Mr. Peterson or Ms. Mares in prison for this crime,” District Attorney Andrea Reeb said at the time, per CBS Austin.
“The son that came back into the mother’s life, late late in life, 19 years old, had been in foster care and really believed that he was doing nothing wrong,” Reeb added.
Tragic excuse Caleb gave to the police
After the mother and son were charged with incest, Caleb told police he thought he could take care of her and keep her safe from abusive men.
“Caleb felt if he was there to take care of her, she would not have to deal with abusive men anymore, and he would take care of the household and his younger brothers,” the complaint said, per ABC30.
Things have taken a sad turn for the pair
After serving the sentence, Monica went on to marry another man, while her son relocated to a town around two hours away.
According to reports, Monica has since battled substance misuse, homelessness, and mental health issues, while Caleb has repeatedly found himself back in jail over probation breaches, traffic offenses, and other charges.
The tragic excuse a son gave to police after “falling in love” with his mom has been revealed.
Monica Mares was 16 years old when she made the difficult decision to put her son, Caleb Peterson, up for adoption just one week after giving birth.
The mother and son had zero contact until years later, when a 19-year-old Caleb found his birth mother on Facebook and exchanged messages with her for weeks before deciding to meet in person.
What should have been a wholesome reunion instead took a depraved turn as Monica, then 36 and raising seven children, confessed her “crazy” feelings to her biological son.
“I’m sorry, I don’t know how you are going to react to this. I’m your mom, and you’re my son, but I’m falling in love with you,” she allegedly told him, The Sun reported.
Monica and Caleb were charged with incest
Bizarrely, the son also developed feelings for his mom, and their relationship quickly turned sexual.
The pair began living together as a couple in New Mexico. Although they initially tried to keep their relationship private, neighbours eventually raised the alarm, and the pair were subject to investigation.
They were soon charged with incest, which is considered a fourth-degree felony in the state, and in March 2017, they were found guilty after pleading no contest and sentenced to three years’ probation, as well as being banned from contact.
“We decided that, after much consideration, it wouldn’t serve any purpose, in my opinion and in talking with the detective in this matter, to put Mr. Peterson or Ms. Mares in prison for this crime,” District Attorney Andrea Reeb said at the time, per CBS Austin.
“Neither of them have criminal records; they both definitely need counseling, and I don’t think that we’re going to see this type of conduct from them again.”
“The son that came back into the mother’s life, late late in life, 19 years old, had been in foster care and really believed that he was doing nothing wrong,” Reeb added.
Tragic excuse Caleb gave to the police
After the mother and son were charged with incest, Caleb told police he thought he could take care of her and keep her safe from abusive men.
“Caleb felt if he was there to take care of her, she would not have to deal with abusive men anymore, and he would take care of the household and his younger brothers,” the complaint said, per ABC30.
Things have taken a sad turn for the pair
After serving the sentence, Monica went on to marry another man, while her son relocated to a town around two hours away.
According to reports, Monica has since battled substance misuse, homelessness, and mental health issues, while Caleb has repeatedly found himself back in jail over probation breaches, traffic offenses, and other charges.
US3 min(s) read
Published 10:45 21 May 2026 GMT
Tragic excuse son gave to authorities after ‘falling in love’ with mom and being charged with incest
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The tragic excuse a son gave to police after “falling in love” with his mom has been revealed.
Monica Mares was 16 years old when she made the difficult decision to put her son, Caleb Peterson, up for adoption just one week after giving birth.
The mother and son had zero contact until years later, when a 19-year-old Caleb found his birth mother on Facebook and exchanged messages with her for weeks before deciding to meet in person.
What should have been a wholesome reunion instead took a depraved turn as Monica, then 36 and raising seven children, confessed her “crazy” feelings to her biological son.
“I’m sorry, I don’t know how you are going to react to this. I’m your mom, and you’re my son, but I’m falling in love with you,” she allegedly told him, The Sun reported.
Monica and Caleb were charged with incest
Bizarrely, the son also developed feelings for his mom, and their relationship quickly turned sexual.
The pair began living together as a couple in New Mexico. Although they initially tried to keep their relationship private, neighbours eventually raised the alarm, and the pair were subject to investigation.
They were soon charged with incest, which is considered a fourth-degree felony in the state, and in March 2017, they were found guilty after pleading no contest and sentenced to three years’ probation, as well as being banned from contact.
“We decided that, after much consideration, it wouldn’t serve any purpose, in my opinion and in talking with the detective in this matter, to put Mr. Peterson or Ms. Mares in prison for this crime,” District Attorney Andrea Reeb said at the time, per CBS Austin.
“Neither of them have criminal records; they both definitely need counseling, and I don’t think that we’re going to see this type of conduct from them again.”
“The son that came back into the mother’s life, late late in life, 19 years old, had been in foster care and really believed that he was doing nothing wrong,” Reeb added.
Tragic excuse Caleb gave to the police
After the mother and son were charged with incest, Caleb told police he thought he could take care of her and keep her safe from abusive men.
“Caleb felt if he was there to take care of her, she would not have to deal with abusive men anymore, and he would take care of the household and his younger brothers,” the complaint said, per ABC30.
Things have taken a sad turn for the pair
After serving the sentence, Monica went on to marry another man, while her son relocated to a town around two hours away.
According to reports, Monica has since battled substance misuse, homelessness, and mental health issues, while Caleb has repeatedly found himself back in jail over probation breaches, traffic offenses, and other charges.
Featured image credit: Monica Mares
