Woman damages religious statue, covers with underwear

An Oxford woman was charged with third-degree criminal mischief for damaging a statue of St. Anthony at a Catholic church, then covering it with her underwear.

Tonya Bulten, 24, of 305 Western Ave. in Oxford, was arrested early Sunday at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 215 Summit St., according to a complaint from the Johnson County Sheriff's Office.

Witnesses told officers that they saw Bulten leaving a bar earlier Sunday morning and was intoxicated, according to the complaint.

Bulten went inside the church and knocked over and broke a statue of St. Anthony holding an infant, according to the complaint. Bulten then placed a rug over the statue, along with her underwear, tights and skirt, the complaint said, and left her ID at the church.

Witnesses told officers they saw Bulten at the church wearing only her shirt, according to the complaint.

The cost to replace the statue is $595, the complaint said.

Bulten was charged with third-degree mischief, an aggravated misdemeanor.