A woman has been arrested in connection with the vandalism of a statue of Jesus outside St. Mary’s Church in East Islip, New York. Police identified the suspect as a 41-year-old woman who was charged with second-degree criminal mischief following an investigation led by the hate crimes unit. The statue was reportedly decapitated, with church leaders later finding the missing head in nearby bushes. The incident occurred near an auditorium where children had recently gathered for First Communion celebrations and photographs, adding to the distress felt by members of the congregation. Parishioners expressed sadness over the damage, noting that such acts affect the wider community regardless of religious background. Father Anthony Iaconis, St Mary’s pastor, said many people had begun donating to fund repairs, and the statue was expected to be restored quickly. He added, ‘I just ask people to pray for the person who did this. It’s not right, but we can still pray for them.’