SEFFNER, Fla. -- A homeless woman has been charged with removing tombstones and stealing from graves at a historic church in Seffner, officials say.

Woman accused of removing tombstones, stealing from graves

Crime occurred at the Unity African Methodist Episcopal Church Cemetery

Channon Clarkson believed to suffer from mental illness

A church employee spotted Channon Clarkson, 35, roaming around the Unity African Methodist Episcopal Church Cemetery around 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday. The employee said Clarkson pulled two headstones up from the ground and removed engraved templates from several grave sites.

Deputies found several items in her purse that she removed from other grave stones, including angels and flower holders.

Deputies were able to have a discussion with Clarkson, the pastor, and church leadership, determining that this was not a hate crime. Deputies believe Clarkson suffers from mental illness.

Officials say the church, which has been in Seffner for 126 years according to the pastor, is expected to exceed $5,000 in damages.

Clarkson was arrested and charged with removing, disfiguring, destroying, or injuring a tomb, in addition to a charge of grand theft in the third degree.