CHURCHTOWN — Four people were arrested after allegedly vandalizing a church during an incident in which two of the suspects’ 6-year-old son reportedly crashed their car into a tree.
A Washington County Sheriff’s deputy responded Monday to a report of a break-in and damage at St. John the Baptist Church, 17786 Ohio 676, in Watertown Township.
Video footage from the church’s security cameras showed five individuals on the property, including the child, sheriff’s Lt. Eric Hunter said.
The deputy met with and questioned Chelsey Bills, 32, 218 Wyoming Road, Marietta, and Tyler Bills, 28, Marietta, who admitted going inside the church, according to a release from the sheriff’s office. It was also determined that Desiree Dawn Lewis, 24, 7855 East St., Adamsville, Ohio, and Brooklyn Rachell Wyatt, 28, no address listed, were in the church, Hunter said.
The video shows that while they were inside, the Billses’ 6-year-old son entered their vehicle by himself, the release said. Shortly after, the vehicle started moving and struck a tree. The video then shows the child running from the vehicle.
Hunter said the boy was not injured. He was not immediately sure how the child got the car moving.
Inside the church, the suspects broke a large candle, ripped pages from a Bible on the altar, ate communion bread and knocked over various items, Hunter said. The child was inside at some point as well, he said.
Chelsey and Tyler Bills were arrested Monday on charges of breaking and entering and endangering children, the release said. Washington County Jail records show they were also charged with desecrating a place of worship, a felony, and are each being held on $35,000 bond. Jail records also list a charge of criminal damaging against Chelsey Bills, with a personal recognizance bond.
Lewis was arrested Monday on charges of breaking and entering and desecration and is being held on a $10,000 bond, according to jail records.
Wyatt was arrested Wednesday on charges of breaking and entering, desecration and criminal damaging and is also being held on a $10,000 bond, jail records show.
Hunter said he did not have information about a motive for the break-in and vandalism.