Mendham Monument to Child Abuse Victims Damaged Again

A monument at a New Jersey Catholic church that is dedicated to victims of child sexual abuse has been destroyed for the second time in less than two years.

Local authorities say someone caused extensive damage to the 400-pound millstone that sits outside St. Joseph Church in Mendham. No suspects have been identified.

Mendham Mayor Neil Henry tells The Associated Press it appears the damage occurred late Wednesday night or early Thursday morning.

The original monument was dedicated in 2004 near the rectory that was home to a priest who was defrocked and admitted molesting about a dozen children at St. Joseph's and other parishes.

In November 2011 police charged a 38-year-old man with using a sledgehammer to destroy the monument. It was rebuilt and dedicated last April.

(Copyright 2013 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)