'We're madly in love' Mom and son defy jail threats over incest romance

Monica Mares, 36, and teenage son Caleb Peterson, 19, could be locked up for 18 months if convicted of incest. But the couple have revealed how they are "madly in love" – and are willing to risk everything to be together. Mares gave her son up for adoption when she was just 16 years old.

They tracked each other down last Christmas on Facebook before the forbidden romance blossomed.

CONSENTING ADULTS: Caleb and Monica believe they are meant to be together

Caleb moved in and told how he fell for her partly because she took care of him.

The teen told the Daily Mail: "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.

"After about a week or so I started having feelings for her and I guess I fell in love."

CRIMINAL: The pair face jail over their illicit romance

And he insisted they were not doing anything wrong: "I never thought I was crazy for having these feelings because I didn''t see her as my mom.

"It was more like going to a club and meeting a random person. It didn''t feel wrong, it felt normal. It was a real kiss. it had feelings behind it," Caleb added.

"I never thought we would get into trouble for our relationship. We were both consenting adults.

"She''s adult, I''m adult, I can make my own decisions."

Mares, who has eight other children, claimed she would give up her brood if she was forced to choose between them and Caleb.

She revealed: "He is the love of my life and I don''t want to lose him.

"My kids love him, my whole family does.

"Nothing can come between us – not courts, or jail, nothing."

The couple, from Clovis in the US state of New Mexico, went public in a bid to raise awareness of Genetic Sexual Attraction (GSA).

It occurs between close family members who first meet each other as adults.

But now Mares has been left housebound after being bombarded with abuse in the street.

And Caleb''s dad has turned his back on him after the couple revealed their affair.

The couple are currently separated ahead of their trial later this year.

A New Mexico lawyer told Mail Online that Caleb could be seen as a "victim" and dodge jail time – but his mum is unlikely to walk free.

But Mares added: "I have to be be with him.

"When I get out of prison I will move to a state that allows us to be together."