Who is Monique Sparks from Forged by Fire and what is their importance?

Monique Sparks is Gerald's mother, she is also mother of Angel and is Jordan's wife. Monique is addicted to drugs as the story opens and is brutal to Gerald, her only child at the time. The abuse is both physical and emotional and she has created an atmosphere of fear in Gerald's life. Monique is jailed after leaving Gerald alone in the house when he is three. Gerald starts a fire and that brings his plight to the attention of authorities. Monique is not a part of Gerald's life until six years later.