Family recalls tale of wayward statue

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- This Christmas, a family here may keep a closer eye on their statue of baby Jesus.

Last year someone plucked it from the Nativity scene in their front yard and spent eight months traveling the state, returning it complete with plenty of photos of where it had been.

"When we tell people about it, they just look at us and say, 'Wow, that really happened?"' Joan Leising said.

The statue was taken Dec. 23, and a note -- promising to return it in three days -- was left in the statue's place.

Eight months later, Joan's husband, John Leising, opened the front door and found the statue on his porch, along with a photo album that showed images of the figurine in front of highway signs in Binghamton, Rochester, Albany and Poughkeepsie.

It was photographed at the Rip Van Winkle Bridge, and posed on a bicycle, on a horse, in a car wearing a seat belt, in a chair next to a campfire and in someone's kitchen.

A note enclosed, signed "Creators of the baby Jesus chronicles," assured the family that the prank was not intended to be "blasphemous or disrespectful."

The Leisings were glad to have their statue back, but remained confused as to why it was missing for so long since the statue-nappers promised it would be returned in three days.