ST. CLOUD — Do you see what I see? Baby Jesus is gone.

The statue of baby Jesus was stolen from downtown's nativity scene behind U.S. Bank on West St. Germain Street Thursday afternoon. Now those at the Stearns History Museum are sounding the alarm for the antique statue to be returned.

"We just want the piece back — undamaged, no questions asked," said Carie Essig, the museum's executive director.

The statue is believed to have been stolen sometime between 6 p.m. Wednesday and 2 p.m. Thursday, according to St. Cloud Commander Brett Mushatt.

Gena Hiemenz, development associate and marketing coordinator for the museum said they found out it had been stolen Thursday afternoon.

"Every year we have an agreement with U.S. Bank: We own the nativity scene and they display it," Hiemenz explained. "We got a call today from somebody at U.S. Bank saying somebody had cut the cable and taken out the baby Jesus."

Stearns History Museum has owned the nativity scene since 1978, but the nativity scene dates back to 1944 when it was purchased using funds raised by children at local schools.

"The children did a penny drive at what is now Tech High School to raise the money to purchase some of these pieces and then donate it to the city," said Essig.

She said they were made at the St. Paul Statuary, now known as St. Paul Fabricating and Decorating. She described them as "World War II pieces." The nativity has been on display in St. Cloud almost every year since.

Related: Nativity scene is a staple of downtown St. Cloud

"We're just extremely disappointed it's gone missing and that they would take a piece of culture and history," said Essig. "We haven't ever had to place a ton of security around these pieces because people have always been very respectful with them."

Essig said while it looks similar to most other nativity pieces, this baby Jesus is recognizable as an antique piece and swaddled in pieces of cloth.

"If somebody knows who took it, please either contact the museum or contact the bank and we would make arrangements to come and pick it up," Essig said. She also urged anyone with information about who stole it to contact the police.

As of Friday afternoon, Hiemenz said there are no updates on the baby Jesus's whereabouts, but the museum "is encouraged by the community support."

Send news tips to Jordyn Brown at jnbrown@stcloudtimes.com or follow her on Twitter @thejordynbrown