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Sian Radaskiewicz-King, 32, was arrested Friday by Easton police on charges of malicious destruction of property and use of a hate symbol. She was later charged with defacing religious property and disturbing school operations, among other counts.

According to court documents, King allegedly spray-painted the transgender symbol on dumpsters, the sidewalk and a step outside the Catholic school off of Route 50. Other spray-painted symbols were found on a fence at the Hampton Inn next to the school, per court records.

The symbols were found elsewhere in town, including outside East End Liquors, The Market at Dover Station and other businesses. The transgender symbol, often used to encourage gender inclusivity, is a combination of the male and female signs.

At an unusually crowded bail hearing on Monday afternoon, Talbot County District Court Judge Karen Ketterman ordered King to be held without bond in the Detention Center. A trial is scheduled for Oct. 28.

Many parents and school officials from Sts. Peter and Paul filled the courtroom. School Board Chair Peggy Wilson asked Ketterman to not approve King's release. Wilson cited the Aug. 27 shooting at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis, which killed two children and injured 18 people, as a reason why the school community is concerned for the safety of students.

"Our fear is not the symbol itself, but the possibility of a copycat situation," Wilson said.

King, according to public legal representation, is transgender. She previously attended Sts. Peter and Paul School.

The Minneapolis shooter, Robin Westman, was referred to as transgender by federal officials. Westman's gender identity wasn't clear, according to The Associated Press.

Easton Mayor Megan Cook said in a statement this weekend that the graffiti incidents are "especially painful" given the Minneapolis Catholic school shooting.

"It reminds us of the responsibility we all share to ensure our children’s safety and well-being," Cook wrote. "We condemn such acts of intimidation, they have no place in our community."

In a statement Sunday, the Delmarva Pride Center condemned the graffiti acts as a "misuse" of the international transgender symbol. 

"We are deeply troubled that an LGBTQIA+ symbol was misused in a way that could be construed as hateful," the statement read. "Symbols such as the Transgender Symbol exist to affirm identity, celebrate diversity, and foster belonging — not to spread fear or division.

"This incident occurs at a time when Transgender people continue to face targeted attacks in society. We call on our neighbors, allies, and community members to stand together, to reject hate in all its forms, and to embrace the values of acceptance, compassion, and love."

On Monday, Easton Police Deputy Chief Greg Wright said the agency will increase patrol this week at Sts. Peter and Paul School and other schools in town. He said police "have no reason to believe that there was any attempt or desire to harm anyone."

BOND DECISION

Bridgette Lane, an assistant at the Talbot County public defender's office, argued in court on Monday that King should be granted release based on the low severity of charges, an otherwise clean criminal record and the Detention Center's recommendation.

Lane said King has "expressed remorse" and understands "she can't be acting out in these ways."

King, who is listed as having a Baltimore address, was recently staying in Easton with her mother, Lane said. If released, the expectation was for King to stay with her mother.

Talbot County State's Attorney Joseph Coale said the graffiti incident is concerning due to the context of the Minneapolis shooting last month, as well as the fact that King's mother's house is close to the school.

"Here we have this clear warning sign," Coale said. " ... We don’t know if the defendant is capable of carrying out something worse. But the state doesn’t want to find out."

Ketterman said both sides made good points, but she hammered home that there are "no conditions of release" that would ensure the safety of the community. The judge said she's concerned about the location of the graffiti and King's documented mental health diagnoses, which include bipolar disorder and PTSD.

"I don’t think the court has another choice," Ketterman said after ruling no bond and ordering the defendant complete a mental health evaluation.

Information from The Associated Press contributed to this report.