A Florida mother and son have been charged with incest and adultery following an investigation that began with a domestic violence call at their Lakeland home, authorities said. Christina Clemens, 46, and her 22-year-old son Shane Clemens were arrested in August after deputies from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office responded to a reported dispute between the two, according to law enforcement officials and court records.
The case came to public attention this week after Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd released details of the investigation in a video statement. Both defendants face criminal charges that remain allegations at this stage, and neither has been convicted of any offense. The case is now moving through the Florida court system, where the prosecution must prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt.
What Happened in the Florida Case?
The investigation began on August 21, 2026, when deputies from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office were called to a residence in Lakeland, Florida, following a report of a domestic disturbance. During that call, Christina Clemens alleged that her son, Shane Clemens, had battered her during an argument.
Deputies arrested Shane Clemens at the scene on a charge of domestic violence battery. Following his arrest, according to Sheriff Judd, Shane Clemens made statements to law enforcement about an alleged sexual relationship with his mother that had been ongoing since he turned 18.
Christina Clemens was subsequently interviewed by investigators. According to the arrest affidavit, she acknowledged the alleged relationship during questioning and was arrested on August 27. Her husband, who resides in the home, was also interviewed. According to authorities, he told investigators he was unaware of the alleged relationship, though he noted that he had observed the two going into the master bedroom and locking the door on multiple occasions.
Investigators also reviewed Shane Clemens’s birth certificate to confirm that Christina Clemens is his biological mother.
What Police Say Happened
According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and the arrest affidavit, the allegations in the case are as follows:
The domestic violence incident. Christina Clemens called authorities on August 21 and alleged that her son had struck her during a domestic dispute. Shane Clemens was arrested on a charge of domestic violence battery.
The disclosure. Following his arrest, Shane Clemens told deputies that he and his mother had been engaged in a sexual relationship since he was 18 years old, according to Sheriff Judd. The alleged relationship had continued for approximately four years at the time of the investigation, according to the arrest affidavit.
The mother’s response. When investigators questioned Christina Clemens about her son’s claim, she allegedly confirmed the relationship, telling deputies they had sex “only about 100 times,” according to Sheriff Judd. The arrest affidavit states she acknowledged having sexual intercourse with Shane Clemens on at least 100 occasions and described other sexual activity between them.
The husband’s statement. Christina Clemens’s husband told investigators he was not aware of the alleged relationship, according to the sheriff’s office. He reportedly said he had noticed Christina and Shane going into the master bedroom and locking the door, which he found suspicious.
Jail phone call. Investigators monitored a recorded phone call between Shane and Christina Clemens from jail, according to the arrest affidavit. The affidavit alleges that during the call, Christina asked Shane whether he wanted to “stop doing what we do,” and that the conversation included discussion about deleting potential evidence from Shane’s phone.
These allegations are drawn from law enforcement statements and arrest documents. They have not been established at trial, and both defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
What Charges Were Filed?
Both Christina Clemens and Shane Clemens face criminal charges in connection with the investigation.
Christina Clemens:
- Incest — This is classified as a third-degree felony under Florida law. A third-degree felony in Florida is punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000, though sentencing in any case depends on the specific circumstances and is determined by the court.
- Living in open adultery — This is classified as a second-degree misdemeanor. According to the arrest affidavit, Christina Clemens had been legally married to her husband for approximately 10 years at the time of the investigation.
Shane Clemens:
- Incest — Also a third-degree felony.
- Domestic violence battery — This charge stems from the original August 21 incident in which Christina Clemens alleged that Shane struck her.
According to inmate records, Christina Clemens was booked on August 27 and is being held on a $5,250 bond. Shane Clemens was booked on August 21 and is being held without bond.
The filing of charges is not evidence of guilt. The prosecution bears the burden of proving each charge beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
What the Arrest Affidavit or Court Records Say
The arrest affidavit, prepared by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, contains the allegations that form the basis of the charges. According to the affidavit:
- The investigation began on August 21 with a domestic violence call.
- Shane Clemens allegedly disclosed the sexual relationship with his mother after his arrest on the domestic battery charge.
- Investigators conducted a follow-up interview with Shane Clemens at the Central County Jail on August 25.
- Deputies interviewed Christina Clemens on August 27 after advising her of her Miranda rights. According to the affidavit, she acknowledged sexual intercourse with Shane on at least 100 occasions and described other sexual activity between them.
- Investigators confirmed Christina Clemens is Shane’s biological mother by reviewing his birth certificate.
- The affidavit references a recorded jail phone call in which Christina Clemens allegedly asked whether Shane wanted to “stop doing what we do,” and the conversation allegedly included discussion about deleting evidence.
The affidavit contains allegations made by law enforcement. The defendants have the right to contest these allegations through the legal process, and the claims must be proven in court.
Why the Case Has Drawn Attention
The case has attracted public attention for several reasons. The charges themselves—incest and adultery—are uncommon in modern criminal prosecutions. According to one report, a Sheriff’s Office source said that in 27 years with the agency, they had never seen an adultery charge before this case.
The circumstances under which the allegations came to light—a domestic violence call that led to a disclosure of an alleged long-term relationship—have also contributed to public interest. Sheriff Grady Judd addressed the case in a public statement, saying, “What else can you say? That’s nasty. And it’s illegal.”
It is important to distinguish between the unusual nature of the charges and the legal presumption of innocence. The attention the case has received does not affect the legal standard that applies in court.
What Happens After the Arrest?
The legal process in Florida following an arrest typically involves several stages:
First appearance. Within 24 hours of arrest, a defendant must be brought before a judge for a first appearance hearing. At this hearing, the judge informs the defendant of the charges and determines whether probable cause exists to hold the defendant. Bail or bond may be set at this stage or at a subsequent hearing.
Arraignment. The defendant is formally presented with the charges and enters a plea of guilty, not guilty, or no contest. If the defendant cannot afford an attorney, one may be appointed.
Pretrial proceedings. Between arraignment and trial, the prosecution and defense exchange evidence through a process called discovery. Pretrial motions may be filed, and plea negotiations may occur.
Trial. If the case proceeds to trial, the prosecution must present evidence and prove each element of the charges beyond a reasonable doubt. The defendant is presumed innocent and has the right to remain silent and to be represented by counsel.
Sentencing. If a defendant is convicted or enters a plea, a sentencing hearing is held. The sentence depends on the charges, the defendant’s criminal history, and other factors determined by the court.
At this stage, it is not known what specific next court dates have been scheduled in this case. The proceedings will depend on the actions of the prosecution, the defense, and the court.
The Difference Between Being Charged and Being Convicted
In the American legal system, an arrest and the filing of criminal charges are not determinations of guilt. A criminal charge is an allegation made by the government. The defendant is presumed innocent, and the prosecution bears the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt—the highest standard of proof in the legal system.
An arrest simply means that law enforcement has probable cause to believe a crime occurred and that the person arrested committed it. Probable cause is a lower standard than the beyond-a-reasonable-doubt standard required for conviction.
Until a defendant either pleads guilty or is found guilty by a judge or jury, the charges against them remain allegations. This principle applies to all criminal cases, regardless of the nature of the charges or the public attention the case receives.
What Authorities Have Said
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd has spoken publicly about the case. In a video statement shared on social media, Judd described the investigation and the allegations. He said that after Shane Clemens was arrested for domestic violence battery, Shane told deputies about the alleged sexual relationship with his mother.
Judd said that when investigators asked Christina Clemens about the claim, she responded that they had sex “only about 100 times.” Judd also said that Christina Clemens’s husband told investigators he was unaware of the alleged relationship but had noticed the two going into the master bedroom and locking the door.
In his public statement, Judd said, “What else can you say? That’s nasty. And it’s illegal.” He also commented on the domestic battery charge against Shane Clemens, saying, “Shane, you ought not ever lay a hand on your mama for a lot of reasons, but you have one more reason why you shouldn’t.”
These statements represent the sheriff’s characterization of the allegations and the investigation. They do not constitute evidence of guilt, and the defendants have the right to have the charges determined by a court.
What We Know and What Remains Unclear
Known from official records and law enforcement statements:
- Christina Clemens and Shane Clemens were arrested and charged with incest, a third-degree felony in Florida.
- Christina Clemens also faces a charge of living in open adultery, a second-degree misdemeanor.
- Shane Clemens also faces a charge of domestic violence battery from the August 21 incident.
- The investigation began with a domestic violence call on August 21.
- Both defendants were booked in August—Shane on August 21 and Christina on August 27.
- According to the arrest affidavit, Christina Clemens acknowledged the alleged relationship during questioning.
- Sheriff Grady Judd has publicly commented on the case.
Not yet established:
- Whether the defendants are guilty of the charges.
- What the final outcome of the case will be.
- What sentence, if any, the defendants might receive.
- Whether there are any disputed facts that will be resolved at trial.
- What specific court dates have been scheduled.
- Whether the defendants have retained attorneys or are represented by public defenders.
This distinction between what is known and what remains to be determined is central to understanding a case at this stage.
What Happens Next in the Case
The case will proceed through the Florida court system. Both defendants are facing felony and misdemeanor charges, which means the case will move through the pretrial process toward either a resolution through plea or a trial.
At this stage, specific court dates or hearing information have not been publicly confirmed in available reporting. The next legal steps will depend on the actions of the prosecution, the defense, and the court. Readers seeking official updates can consult the Polk County Clerk of Courts website, which provides case search tools for criminal court records.
The case will be adjudicated based on the evidence presented in court, not on public statements or media coverage. The defendants retain the presumption of innocence throughout the proceedings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in the Florida mother and son case?
A domestic violence call in Lakeland, Florida, led to an investigation that resulted in incest charges against Christina Clemens, 46, and her son Shane Clemens, 22. According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, Shane disclosed an alleged sexual relationship following his arrest for domestic battery, and Christina later confirmed the relationship during questioning. Both were arrested in August 2026.
What charges were filed against the Florida mother and son?
Both face one count of incest, a third-degree felony in Florida. Christina Clemens also faces a charge of living in open adultery, a second-degree misdemeanor. Shane Clemens also faces a charge of domestic violence battery from the initial incident. The charges are allegations that must be proven in court.
Where did the Florida case happen?
The case originated at a residence in Lakeland, Florida, which is located in Polk County, southwest of Orlando. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation. Lakeland is the largest city in Polk County.
What did police allege?
According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and the arrest affidavit, Shane Clemens told deputies after his arrest that he and his mother had been having sex since he was 18. Christina Clemens allegedly confirmed the relationship when questioned, telling deputies they had sex “about 100 times.” The husband reportedly said he was unaware of the alleged relationship.
Have the defendants been convicted?
No. Both Christina Clemens and Shane Clemens have been charged but not convicted. They are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. The charges are allegations made by the government, and the case is still in the pretrial stage.
What happens after a criminal arrest in Florida?
After an arrest, the defendant appears before a judge for a first appearance, where probable cause is reviewed and bail may be set. Next is arraignment, where the defendant enters a plea. The case then moves through pretrial proceedings, which may include discovery and plea negotiations. If no resolution is reached, the case proceeds to trial.
What is the difference between being charged and being convicted?
Being charged means the government has filed formal accusations of criminal conduct. Being convicted means a court has determined guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, either through a trial verdict or a guilty plea. A charge is an allegation; a conviction is an established legal finding.
Where can readers find official updates about the case?
Official court records for Polk County, Florida, are available through the Polk County Clerk of Courts website, which provides public access to criminal court case information. Court dates, case status, and filings can be accessed through the clerk’s online portal.