Monica Meles, a troubled mother known for her incestuous relationship with her son, has faced a sharp decline in her life, ending up homeless and struggling with addiction. Mugshots reveal the extent of her deterioration.
At 36, she was charged with incest in August 2016 involving her then 19-year-old son, Caleb Patterson. Since their separation, Caleb has also faced legal troubles.
Fast forward ten years, and Monica’s life has descended into chaos. A mugshot taken in July 2020 shows her looking frail, with a shaved head and a distressed expression.
“She cut her hair. She’s bald. I don’t know why,” said her mother, Sadie Baker, 75, during an interview from Albuquerque. “I think she’s upset with herself. She’s lost so much weight—down to less than 100 pounds.”
Monica briefly married Joe Garza in November 2018, but that relationship didn’t stand the test of time.
In 2020, she faced charges of negligent arson after accidentally igniting a fire in her yard while under the influence of methamphetamines, as noted in a criminal complaint.
According to the report, she told police she had been “coming off a high from yellow meth” and hadn’t slept for days. In the end, she was ruled unfit to stand trial, leading to the dismissal of the charges.
Local shelter workers report seeing her frequently wandering the streets in tattered clothing, often refusing food or shelter. “She’s always out on the town wearing old shoes,” said Debbie from the Mission Lighthouse shelter. “I wish we could have helped her. It’s a sad story, really.”
Debbie reflected on the complex relationship between Monica and Caleb, noting that it began when he found his biological mother after 18 years. “They fell in love, and that’s what it was,” she commented.
Monica’s mother has previously stated that she tried to dissuade her daughter from starting the incestuous relationship, saying, “I told her that was crazy.” Baker maintains she never intended to allow Caleb into her home.
Both Monica and Caleb were convicted of incest in March 2017 after pleading no contest and were sentenced to probation with a no-contact order.
After the relationship became public, Monica received threats, and her mother recalls a heart-wrenching conversation where Monica admitted her mistakes, crying over the fallout from a fire that destroyed their family home.
“Thank God they don’t have children,” Baker added, reflecting on the situation.
Caleb moved to Pueblo, Colorado, living with relatives and finding work as a handyman. His social media suggests he may have started a new relationship in 2024. However, his record includes frequent run-ins with the law, such as DUIs and other offenses.
On April 8 of this year, Caleb was arrested for criminal trespass and mischief, with a bail set at $5 million. Moreover, there’s an active warrant for another case linked to Clovis from 2024.
