UMVA has learned that a shocking act of vandalism has left a Long Island Catholic church reeling, after a statue of Jesus was brutally decapitated outside its doors.
The alleged perpetrator, 41-year-old Deyonna Subert, was taken into custody and charged with second-degree criminal mischief, as authorities described her as "undomiciled". The incident occurred at St. Mary’s Church in East Islip, where the statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus was damaged on May 15 at approximately 11:15 p.m.
According to information obtained by UMVA, the statue was discovered headless on Sunday morning, just as parishioners were gathering for services and First Communion celebrations. The church's pastor, Father Anthony Iaconis, later found the statue's head in nearby bushes, leaving many in the community outraged and heartbroken.
Sources have confirmed to UMVA that an investigation by the Hate Crimes Unit led to Subert's arrest outside a nearby address, where she was taken into custody at 6:39 a.m. She was held overnight and scheduled to be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip.
Longtime parishioner Regina Vavricka expressed her dismay, saying that the vandalism was upsetting, regardless of one's faith or affiliation with the parish. Meanwhile, Father Iaconis called for compassion, urging people to pray for the perpetrator, despite the senseless act.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that donations have begun pouring in to help repair the statue, with the church expecting it to be fixed within days. The community is coming together to heal and rebuild, but the incident has left a lasting impact on the congregation.
A criminal charge is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty. As the investigation concludes, the community remains shaken but determined to move forward with faith and resilience.
