Mother, 44, and her 25-year-old son arrested for incest

The son also faces charges of indecent liberties with a child

Melissa Nell Kitchens, 44, and her son Shaun Thomas Pfiffer, 25 (Buncombe County Sheriff's office)

A 44-year-old mother and her 25-year-old son have been arrested on charges of incest.

Melissa Nell Kitchens, 44, from Weaverville, North Carolina, and her son Shaun Thomas Pfiffer, 25, from Arden, North Carolina, have been arrested on allegations that they had sex in August, WCNC.com reports.

Ms Kitchens is facing one charge of incest, according to Buncome County Sheriff’s Office arrest warrants.

Mr Pfiffer is being held on a $70,500 (£53,000) bail, according to New York Daily News. He is facing charges of incest, communicating threats, indecent liberties with a child and being intoxicated and disruptive.

Mr Pfiffer's Facebook profile, which describes himself as 'married', features photos of his mother and of a baby that is understood to be his son.

In February this year Ms Kitchens left a long comment on a photo of Mr Pfiffer and the baby, which commented on the child's likeness to her son and said: "Can't get over how handsome you are and I'm about to cry [...] things are very stressful and I love you and respect any decision - as long as you're happy and safe [...] I miss you and wish I had more time with you [...] I love you Shaun and hoping life can give mom and break and you [...] we all need a lot of happiness [...] I've been feeling really bad tonight - just wish the lemons will go away and bring nothing but sunshine and happiness [...] love this pic!".

Ms Kitchens has had one court appearance and is scheduled to reappear on 29 September at Buncombe County District court. She is being held on $5,000 (£3,757) bail.

The pair face up to three years in jail for the charges of incest alone.