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Print This StoryTeen Arrested For Desecrating Baby Jesus
Statue Stolen, Found Later With Satanic Markings On It
POSTED: 6:12 p.m. EST January 21, 2003
FAIRPORT HARBOR, Ohio -- Someone stole and desecrated a statue of the baby Jesus this past Christmas season, according to officials.
NewsChannel5's Debora Lee reported that officials have arrested a 19-year-old woman suspected in the crime.
The nativity scene has been a part of the holiday season at St. Anthony's Church in Fairport Harbor for more than a decade, until this past Christmas Eve.
"Someone reported the statue of the child Jesus was not there," Police Chief Mark Kish said. "We looked after Mass, and sure enough, it was gone."
The statue turned up on Christmas morning on the steps of another church in town, the Inspirational House of Prayer, and the statue's condition was very troubling.
"It had some Satanic writings on it and a pipe piercing the statue in the chest," Kish said.
There are seven churches in Fairport Harbor, and most of them are pretty full on Sunday. Consequently, the crime had a great effect on the community.
"I think every God-fearing person in the country would be outraged by such an act," Kish said.
Police arrested Jessica Lange, 19, with the crime. She was arraigned by video on Tuesday. Her fiance, Brian Patrick, said she's innocent and not involved in Satanism.
"We're really not religious people... so I don't believe she had anything to do with it at all," he said.
"I don't think it was an attack on Christianity or anything," said the Rev. Peter Mihalic, of St. Anthony's Church. "We represent as much as a need they have for something in their life."
Mihalic said he hopes whoever is responsible gets the help he or she needs.
In the meantime, with a little paint, the statue will be as good as new next Christmas.
Police are still investigating and believe three other people may be involved.
One of the children at the church made a baby Jesus out of cardboard to replace the one stolen from the manger.
NewsChannel5's Debora Lee reported that officials have arrested a 19-year-old woman suspected in the crime.
The nativity scene has been a part of the holiday season at St. Anthony's Church in Fairport Harbor for more than a decade, until this past Christmas Eve.
"Someone reported the statue of the child Jesus was not there," Police Chief Mark Kish said. "We looked after Mass, and sure enough, it was gone."
The statue turned up on Christmas morning on the steps of another church in town, the Inspirational House of Prayer, and the statue's condition was very troubling.
"It had some Satanic writings on it and a pipe piercing the statue in the chest," Kish said.
There are seven churches in Fairport Harbor, and most of them are pretty full on Sunday. Consequently, the crime had a great effect on the community.
"I think every God-fearing person in the country would be outraged by such an act," Kish said.
Police arrested Jessica Lange, 19, with the crime. She was arraigned by video on Tuesday. Her fiance, Brian Patrick, said she's innocent and not involved in Satanism.
"We're really not religious people... so I don't believe she had anything to do with it at all," he said.
"I don't think it was an attack on Christianity or anything," said the Rev. Peter Mihalic, of St. Anthony's Church. "We represent as much as a need they have for something in their life."
Mihalic said he hopes whoever is responsible gets the help he or she needs.
In the meantime, with a little paint, the statue will be as good as new next Christmas.
Police are still investigating and believe three other people may be involved.
One of the children at the church made a baby Jesus out of cardboard to replace the one stolen from the manger.
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