After more than two months missing and only two days back home, the East Lansing Public Library's "Seated Girl" statue is already receiving well wishes from those who felt her absence.
"Someone sent her two bouquets of flowers — she didn't get roses, but she has two vases of flowers on her lap," said Sylvia Marabate, director of the library. "It shows the depth of the feeling people have towards her. They love the library, our grounds and love that we have her as a part of it."
The "Seated Girl" was reported missing from her pedestal in front of the library Sept. 10, and on Tuesday was recovered by East Lansing police after receiving a tip from apartment workers who spotted it inside an Abbott Pointe apartment, Lt. Kevin Daley said.
Police obtained a search warrant and discovered the statue in a closet. Daley said police are currently questioning two Lansing Community College students in connection with the incident.
The suspects could face a charge of receiving and concealing stolen property, which is a felony punishable by up to five years in prison and/ or a $10,000 fine.
The statue, a gift to the library in memory of former MSU faculty member Irma Hill, was created by local artist Nancy Leiserowitz and valued to be about $5,000, Daley said.
Although "Seated Girl" was secured to its pedestal by three or four bolts and an adhesive, Marabate said more extensive security measures, including installing surveillance cameras, will be taken to ensure repeat incidents don't occur.
The bronze statue has been a fixture in the library, located at 950 Abbott Road, for more than 15 years. Patrons regularly dress it in scarves during the fall, and flowers in the spring, Marabate said.
The "Seated Girl" is so recognized that a patron was the first to notice she was missing.
"I wish people would think before they do these things. I don't think they realize the hurt it can do," Marabate said. "It's a very sweet homecoming for her and for all of us in the community. It was despairing to think we might not have seen her again."
