Last week, a Long Island woman was arrested on suspicion of beheading a statue of Jesus at a Catholic church.
Subscribe to read this story without ads
Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.
According to Suffolk County Police, Deyonna Sbert, 41, vandalized a statue at St. Mary’s Church in Bayshore on May 15 at approximately 11:15 p.m. Svelte, who is homeless, was charged with second-degree criminal mischief and taken into custody outside 221 W. Main St. at 6:39 a.m., according to NBC4. She is scheduled to be arraigned May 21 in First District Court in Central Islip.
The incident was investigated by detectives as a hate crime.
Father Anthony Iaconis, pastor of St. Mary’s Church, told News 12 that the statue’s decapitated head was found in the bushes on the church grounds. It remains unclear how it was removed. The statue has stood on the grounds for about 12 years, but it remains covered with a tarpaulin and local residents have placed flowers at its base.
On May 18, the church posted a statement on Facebook thanking parishioners and supporters for the outpouring of concern. “Your prayers, messages and kindness have meant so much to our parish community,” it read. The post also asked for donations to be sent to St. Mary’s Parish for the statue replacement effort, and concluded with a call to prayer: “Please continue to pray for those responsible for this act, and pray for the Sacred Heart of Jesus to bring healing, peace, and conversion to every heart.”
This statue remained in the church for about 12 years.
Svelte’s attorney told NBC4 there is no allegation that the incident constituted a hate crime. “The only position we have taken at this point is to deny the charges,” the lawyer said. Suffolk County Police did not respond to requests for additional comment.
