Was it a prank or a hate crime? School officials in Taneyville are asking that question today after a yard ornament depicting a black child fishing was found hanging in the outside entryway of the school Tuesday morning.

They took the statue down immediately and turned it over to the Taney County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies think the person or persons responsible may have stolen the ornament from someone’s yard.

Officials say that for the incident to be considered a hate crime there has to be an intended victim. No African-American students attend the school and there was no note found or threatening remarks made.