Thirty-two stolen baby Jesus figures taken from outdoor nativity scenes have been found dumped on a Chicago woman's lawn.

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The woman, a member of St. Symphorosa Catholic Church, turned the find over to Rev. Marcel Pasciak, who has encouraged the owners to come forward and retrieve their property, the Chicago Daily Southtown reported Tuesday.

"We're putting Christ back into Christmas literally and metaphorically," Pasciak said. He said he believes teenagers were likely culprits in the thefts.

Chicago police spokesman Pat Camden said the department had contacted people who reported theft of baby Christ figures and notified them that they can pick them up.

One owner, Ron Pauls, said he was "thrilled" at the return of his Jesus.

"It's a problem because you can't just buy a baby Jesus," he said, "You have to buy Mary and Joseph, too -- the whole Nativity."