2 Ky. men sent to jail for Nativity theft

[June 03, 2009]  SOMERSET, Ky. (AP) -- A Christmas prank in a small Kentucky town has netted jail time for two young men who stole the baby Jesus.

Nicholas A. Brainard, who is 21, and 19-year-old David A. Gialdini were sentenced Monday to 45 days in jail and two years of probation on their guilty pleas to stealing a baby Jesus from a Somerset family's Nativity scene in December. Police found the statue, other stolen Christmas decorations and a street sign in the men's apartment. They were charged with misdemeanors -- theft and receiving stolen property. Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney David Dalton said first-time theft charges often won't result in jail time. But he added in a news release, "These are tough times, and parents shouldn't have to explain to children why someone would steal 'baby Jesus' out of a Nativity scene or rip decorations from the side of the house. It was a stupid stunt and deserved some jail time." ___ Information from: Lexington Herald-Leader, http://www.kentucky.com/ [Associated Press] Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.