Police: Couple Caught Having Sex Under Virgin Mary Statue At Church

SEASIDE HEIGHTS, N.J. (AP) -- Authorities say a priest found two people having sex beneath a statue of the Virgin Mary at a Roman Catholic church in southern New Jersey.

Seaside Heights police say 43-year-old Anthony Getchius, of Newark, and 48-year-old Noelle Smart, of Jersey City, are facing lewdness charges.

Authorities say the pair were found around 12:30 p.m. Tuesday in "a sacred area" on the grounds of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. They were in a secluded garden located between the rectory and the church, which is next door to police headquarters.

It wasn't known Wednesday if either Getchius or Smart have retained attorneys.

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