The mother allegedly said she didn't think they had violated any laws because her name is no longer on her daughter's birth certificate.
An Oklahoma woman and her adult daughter were arrested and face felony charges after it was discovered that the pair were allegedly involved in an incestuous relationship and had gotten married, authorities said.
Patricia Ann Spann, 43, and her 25-year-old daughter, Misty Velvet Dawn Spann, were booked into Stephens County jail last week on charges of incest after a child welfare investigator who visited the family on an unrelated case reported them to police, the Duncan Police Department said.
The mother and daughter, who have allegedly been living as a couple for about a year, were wed in another county in March, where the elder Spann listed her name as “Clayton” on the marriage license, state court records show.
Read: A Man Who Solicited Online for 'Incest Family' of Single Mom, Young Daughters, Gets 10 Years
Patricia Spann told the welfare worker she was not in contact with her three kids for years after she lost custody to their paternal grandmother, according to court records obtained by The Lawton Constitution.
When she reunited with her daughter about two years ago, they “hit it off,” the mother allegedly told the welfare worker, saying she didn’t think they had violated any laws because her name is no longer on Misty Spann’s birth certificate.
Though the daughter’s original birth certificate listed her mother’s name, a more recent version includes her grandmother’s signature, according to reports.
Patricia and Misty Spann allegedly admitted their biological relationship and their wedding to authorities and the investigation so far shows they were living as a married couple and not just for financial gain, police said.
Under Oklahoma law, marrying a close relative is considered incest whether or not a sexual relationship exists.
This is not the first time Patricia Spann has married one of her children, officials said.
In 2008 “Patricia Ann Clayton Spann” married her son, Jody Spann Jr., state court records show. He filed for an annulment 15 months later, citing “incest” as the reason, authorities said.
The Duncan Police Department is investigating whether charges can be brought in that case, officials said.
Both women were charged with one felony count each of incest and could face up to 10 years in jail if convicted.
The Spanns appeared in court Wednesday and are expected to be arraigned in October. They have not yet entered pleas and have not yet been appointed attorneys.
They remained jailed on $10,000 bond on Thursday.
Watch: Female Karate Teacher Arrested For Allegedly Sending 11-Year-Old Student Nude Photos
