Monument to Michelle Obama ancestor toppled in Ga.

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REX, Ga. (AP) — Police in Georgia are investigating after a monument dedicated to one of first lady Michelle Obama’s relatives was knocked over in suburban Atlanta.

Clayton County Commissioner Sonna Singleton tells WSB-TV that a stone monument to Michelle Obama’s great-great-great-grandmother, Melvinia Shields, was pushed over and will need to be inspected for cracks. The report was aired Monday.

Officials say Shields was born into slavery in the mid-1800s and later settled in Rex, Ga., — about 15 miles southeast of downtown Atlanta.

Officials say the monument was installed about a year ago, and the county commission organized a celebration later this month to recognize Shields’ connection to the White House.

It wasn’t immediately clear when the monument was toppled.

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Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.