A mother and her son in Florida have been arrested and charged with incest and domestic battery following an investigation by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. Christina Clemens and her son, Shane Clemens, were taken into custody after authorities uncovered an alleged sexual relationship between the two. The charges stem from an initial domestic violence complaint filed by Christina Clemens against Shane Clemens.
"only about 100 times." Christina Clemens, Defendant
According to Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd, law enforcement became involved when Christina Clemens contacted authorities, alleging that Shane Clemens had assaulted her. Deputies initially arrested Shane Clemens in connection with this alleged assault. However, during the subsequent investigation, Shane Clemens reportedly disclosed to authorities that he and his mother had been involved in a sexual relationship.
Investigators then confronted Christina Clemens regarding her son's allegations. Sheriff Judd stated that Christina Clemens acknowledged the relationship, allegedly telling deputies that she and Shane Clemens had engaged in sexual activity "only about 100 times." Following these admissions, both Christina Clemens and Shane Clemens were charged with incest and domestic battery.
Further details emerged regarding Christina Clemens' marital status. She faces an additional charge of living in open adultery, as authorities allege she was married to another man during the period of the alleged sexual relationship with her son. Her husband reportedly informed investigators that he believed their marriage was happy. However, he also acknowledged observing behavior between Christina and Shane Clemens that raised his suspicions, including instances where they would enter the couple’s bedroom together and lock the door. Sheriff Judd indicated that Christina’s husband is not Shane’s biological father, though specific details about the family relationship were not publicly disclosed by authorities.
The investigation, which began as a domestic violence complaint, evolved significantly as deputies uncovered the alleged incestuous relationship. Authorities have not publicly detailed when the alleged sexual relationship commenced or provided a precise timeline of the encounters. The Sheriff's Office also has not disclosed further evidence beyond the statements reportedly provided by Christina and Shane Clemens.
Sheriff Judd discussed the case publicly through the sheriff’s office’s social media channels, outlining how deputies learned about the alleged relationship. He recounted that Shane Clemens disclosed the alleged sexual encounters after his arrest for the initial domestic violence complaint, which prompted deputies to question Christina Clemens directly.
Under Florida law, incest is prohibited and makes it unlawful for individuals related within certain degrees of consanguinity to knowingly marry or engage in sexual intercourse. Christina Clemens faces the separate adultery charge due to her marital status during the alleged relationship.
As the criminal cases proceed, both Christina and Shane Clemens are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law. Authorities have not yet announced when either defendant is expected to appear in court, nor have they publicly stated whether the defendants have retained legal counsel. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the investigation remains active.
