Mum, son pledge to continue incest relationship despite court ban

A mother and son who have been ordered by a US court to cease their incestuous relationship say there’s nothing that will keep them apart.

Monica Mares says she is “madly in love” with her son Caleb Peterson, who she gave up for adoption when she gave birth to him at 16.

Now aged 36, the mother-of-nine said she would risk going to jail to continue the relationship with her son.

"He is the love of my life and I don't want to lose him,” Mares told US media.

Mares and 19-year-old Peterson were reunited in 2015 after connecting through Facebook.

The teen then moved in with his half-siblings and mother, who said it was “love at first sight”, but purely a motherly love at first.

But the duo began a sexual relationship, with one of Mares’ youngest children reportedly referring to Peterson as “dad”.

Disgusted neighbours notified the authorities, with the couple arrested in February 2016.

This week the duo pleaded guilty to fourth-degree incest and were each given a three-year probation sentence, as long as they stayed away from each other.

Mares was also ordered to surrender her eight other children.

But the mother said if she was forced to choose between her children and Peterson, she was readily give up the right to see her other children.

Peterson echoed his mother’s sentiments and said he would wait for her if she did end up serving a jail sentence.