A woman has been arrested after a statue of Jesus Christ was beheaded in New York.
Deyonna Subert, 41, is accused of decapitating the statue outside St. Mary’s Church in Long Island.
She has been charged with second-degree criminal mischief in connection with damage to the Sacred Heart of Jesus statue at the church in East Islip.
Suffolk County Police said the statue was damaged on May 15 at around 11.15pm.
After an investigation by Hate Crime Detective, the force said Ms Subert, who police described as "unhoused", was arrested at 6.39am outside West Main Street in Bay Shore, New York.
She was held overnight by the police and is scheduled to be arraigned on Thursday.
Churchgoers discovered the statue of Christ had been beheaded on Sunday morning as they arrived for a First Communion celebration.
St. Mary’s pastor Father Anthony Iaconis told local outlet News12: "Across the way into the auditorium, we had first communions and this is where the kids come and they take their picture."
Deyonna Subert, 41, has been arrested after the statue was decapitated
|NEWS12
Mr Iaconis said he later found Christ's head in the bushes.
Parishioner Regina Vacricka said the act would upset everyone, regardless of faith.
"Whether you belong to this parish or not, or whether you’re Catholic or Jewish, it doesn’t really matter," she added.
Mr Iaconis added: "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.".
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St. Mary’s has already received donations to help repair the statue, which is expected to be fixed in days.
But scammers have used the incident to make unsolicited calls to parishioners and set up phony fundraisers, according to Greater Bay Shore news.
Mr Iaconis took to social media to warn churchgoers to stay vigilant.
"I have been informed that some people are receiving emails and phone calls soliciting donations to replace the statue," he said.
PICTURED: St Mary's Church in East Islip, Long Island, New York, where the statue was decapitated
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"Please note that St Mary’s has not launched any such fundraising campaign," he added.
A spokesman from the wider Diocese of Rockville Centre said the Long Island Catholic community stood behind the church, which is connected to a nursery.
Father Eric Fasano, of the Diocese, said: "Along with the parishioners of Saint Mary’s Church, the diocese is troubled by the vandalism to the statue of our Lord.
"As the investigation continues, we pray that justice will be restored for the parish."