By Jon Gambrell
Enquirer contributor

OXFORD - Miami University's football place-kicker is at the receiving end of a felony charge after a missing ox statue was recovered.

Jared Parseghian, 21, from Sylvania, Ohio, was charged with theft after Oxford police found the stolen ox statue in his residence Thursday night, police said. Parseghian told police he acted alone, police said.

The great-grandnephew of former Miami and Notre Dame football coach Ara Parseghian is charged with a fifth-degree felony that carries a maximum sentence of 12 months in prison or a $2,500 fine. Parseghian is also facing a first-degree misdemeanor charge in a street sign theft.

The statue, valued at $2,100 and part of a citywide art project displayed in Oxford's Uptown Park, vanished Monday. The city's Convention and Visitors Bureau offered a $500 reward for its recovery.

Acting on an anonymous tip, Oxford police served a search warrant on Parseghian's residence Thursday afternoon and found the ox unharmed, but missing its cape, police said.

Diana Durr, director of the bureau, said she screamed with joy at the news.

"We are all thrilled to have him back," she said. "He is already back in the Uptown park and a lot of people are going out to look at him."

Meanwhile, Parseghian was suspended Friday from Miami's football team for an indefinite time, and the athletic department confirmed he would miss Miami's upcoming Sept. 13 game against Northwestern. The junior physical education major set Mid-American Conference and Miami records last year with 17 consecutive field goals.

The place-kicker may also face academic disciplinary action.

University spokeswoman Holly Wissing said that any student found in violation of student conduct codes could face a judicial review, which could end in suspension or expulsion.

Parseghian said he "had nothing to say" about the incident when contacted.

He will appear in court Sept. 11.

E-mail jgambrell@fuse.net