Monica Mares was 16 when she gave up her newborn son, Caleb Peterson, for adoption.
After about 19 years, she reconnected with him on Facebook and even had the chance to meet him in person.
Up until this part of the story, I’m sure you thought this was another heartwarming story of family members reuniting with each other.
This particular relationship between Monica and Caleb, however, is very different.
It turned out that the reunion sparked an intense romantic feelings between Monica and Caleb.
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The couple, who reside in New Mexico, was soon arrested and charged with incest.
At that time, they were released on $5000 bond. Soon, the couple will face a trial by jury.
Until then, Monica and Caleb live separately and are legally banned from contacting each other.
Even though rules on such sexual relationship vary, incest is a fourth-degree felony in New Mexico. If convicted, Monica and Caleb would face up to 18 months in prison.
What’s surprising is that such cases are not that unique.
In fact, there were others arrested and tried for similar charges in the past – such as Kim West and Ben Ford.
And, here’s the other shocking element to the story: Monica and Caleb argues that this attraction might be due to scientific reasons.
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It’s called ‘Genetic Sexual Attraction,’ which was first identified in the 1980s by Barbara Gonyo, who fell madly in love with her son.point 161 |
Basically, it explains that when biological relatives – parent and offspring, siblings, half siblings, or first and second cousins – meet for the first time as adults, they might be sexually drawn to each other.point 350 |
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Although no one really knows why, couple of theories have been suggested as to why such sexual attraction occurs between the couple.point 111 | 1
In an interview with the Mirror, for instance, psychologist Corinne Sweet explained that “at a genetic level, we are conditioned to find people who look like us attractive. At the same time, people who are adopted or fostered feel deeply rejected.
So when a son meets his birth mother, there’s an attraction and a longing there. And when it’s combined with the the appeal of genetic similarity, it becomes a very powerful and complex cocktail which is incredibly seductive“.
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Not surprisingly, many have condemned Monica and Caleb for having familial sexual relationship.
What do you think?
Should they be allowed to continue dating? Or should they be charged with incest?
To find out more about Monica and Caleb, check out this video below –