Stolen baby Jesus statue returned to Dennison Building manger, Suffolk officials say
A stolen statue of baby Jesus in a Nativity scene was returned to the manger, Suffolk County police say. Credit: SCPD
A baby Jesus statue officials said had been reported stolen from a Nativity scene in Hauppauge has been returned to the manger, according to Suffolk County police.
Officials asked last week for the public's help locating the statue, which had been part of a display outside the H. Lee Dennison Building. Police did not offer further details in a Saturday statement.
Suffolk County Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina said Friday the statue was discovered missing Thursday and was stolen sometime between Christmas Eve and New Year's Day.
The county "emphasizes tolerance and acceptance of all religions," Catalina said, and called the theft "an affront to Christianity."
Before the statue was found, Suffolk County Executive Edward P. Romaine said he was "hoping" the theft was not a hate crime.
"Just bring it back and return it," Romaine said. "If you want to drop it off at the H. Lee Dennison Building, we won't detain anyone. We won't ask why. We'll just accept it back."
The Nativity scene is donated each year by St. Michael the Archangel Roman Catholic Church in Farmingville, according to county police.
Newsday's Arielle Dollinger and Maureen Mullarkey contributed to this story.
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