Woman Arrested for Vandalizing Jesus Statue in Long Island Church

A woman was apprehended following the alleged decapitation of a Jesus statue outside a Catholic church on Long Island, according to law enforcement. Deyonna Subert, 41, identified as ‘undomiciled’ by police, faces a second-degree criminal mischief charge related to the damage of a Sacred Heart of Jesus statue at St. Mary’s Church in East Islip, stated the Suffolk County Police.

The incident reportedly happened on May 15 at around 11:15 p.m. at the church located on 118 East Main St. According to Suffolk County Police, detectives from the Hate Crimes Unit managed the investigation, which led to Subert’s arrest at 221 West Main Street in Bay Shore at 6:39 a.m.

After an investigation by Hate Crimes Unit detectives, Deyonna Subert was arrested outside of 221 West Main Street in Bay Shore at 6:39 a.m.

The Department of Justice is reportedly launching a civil rights probe following an incident of vandalism at a Catholic school in California.

The vandalized statue’s severed head was found outside St. Mary’s Church, as depicted in a News 12 Long Island photograph. Subert was detained overnight at the Fourth Precinct and had to appear in court the following Thursday at First District Court in Central Islip.

Parishioners noticed the statue’s head missing Sunday morning during a First Communion ceremony, according to footage from News12 Long Island. Father Anthony Iaconis, pastor of St. Mary’s, shared that the children attending communions usually take pictures near the location.

Across the way into the auditorium, we had first communions, and this is where the kids come and they take their picture.

Father Anthony Iaconis later discovered the head in nearby bushes. Regina Vavricka, a parishioner, mentioned that the incident was troubling regardless of religious affiliation.

I think everyone would be upset by it. Whether you belong to this parish or not, or whether you’re Catholic or Jewish, it doesn’t matter.

Donations from the community began pouring in to help repair the statue, which was expected to be restored promptly. Father Iaconis asked for prayers for the person responsible for the act, emphasizing the importance of compassion despite the wrongdoing.

Yeah, it’s a terrible thing. I just ask people to pray for the person who did this. It’s not right, but we can still pray for them.

Suffolk County Police confirmed the nature of criminal charges, stating that an accusation does not equate to guilt until proven in court. They did not immediately provide additional comments requested by Fox News Digital.

Jasmine Baehr, a Breaking News Writer for Fox News Digital, covers topics such as politics, military, faith, and culture.