Authorities arrested a woman accused of damaging a Jesus statue outside a Catholic church in Long Island. Deyonna Subert, 41, was charged with second-degree criminal mischief. The incident involved a Sacred Heart of Jesus statue at St. Mary’s Church in East Islip, as reported by Suffolk County Police.
The incident occurred on May 15 around 11:15 p.m. at the church located on 118 East Main St. After an investigation by the Hate Crimes Unit, detectives arrested Subert at 6:39 a.m. outside 221 West Main Street in Bay Shore, according to Suffolk County Police’s press release.
The severed head of the statue was discovered outside St. Mary’s Church by churchgoers on Sunday morning. Parishioners were there for services and First Communion celebrations, as depicted in the News12 Long Island video. Father Anthony Iaconis, the pastor at St. Mary’s, mentioned that First Communion pictures are often taken at this spot.
Father Iaconis discovered the statue’s head in nearby bushes. “I think everyone would be upset by it,” stated longtime parishioner Regina Vavricka. She emphasized that the incident would affect anyone, regardless of their religious affiliation.
Donations have started coming in to repair the statue, and expectations are that repairs will happen soon. “It’s a terrible thing,” said Iaconis. “I ask people to pray for the person who did this. It’s not right, but prayer can help.”
The Hate Crimes Unit carried out the investigation. The Suffolk County Police release reminded that “a criminal charge is an accusation.” Expect that a defendant remains presumed innocent unless proven guilty. Police have not provided further comments to Fox News Digital.