EAST ISLIP, NY – A 41-year-old woman is facing charges after a beloved statue of Jesus Christ was heavily vandalized in the courtyard of St. Mary’s Church in East Islip, leaving local parishioners deeply shaken.
The Incident and Arrest
The incident occurred last Friday at the Catholic church, where the statue’s head was completely removed. Following an investigation, authorities arrested and charged 41-year-old Deyonna Suber in connection with the vandalism.
During her arraignment in Suffolk County court, Suber’s attorney denied all allegations. The defense noted that there are currently no claims suggesting the incident was a hate crime or motivated by anti-Catholic bias. Following the hearing, a judge issued a protection order requiring Suber to stay away from the church property.
A Sacred Space Damaged
The statue has stood in the church courtyard for about 12 years, serving as a familiar and cherished backdrop for local families taking First Communion photos.
A plastic tarp now covers the damaged monument, where community members have left flowers. Police estimate the structural damage to be around $1,500. It remains unclear how long the restoration process will take, but the Suffolk PBA and other local organizations have already pledged financial support to fund the repairs.
Community Reacts
The act of vandalism has sparked emotional reactions from the congregation, with many viewing it as a deeply disrespectful act.
- Church Pastor, Rev. Anthony Iaconis: “It’s a terrible thing. I just ask people to pray for the person who did this.”
- Parishioner Chris Cortina: “It means a lot, it’s part of our sacred space. And to see the head lopped off, it’s just awful.”
