Mystery of porcelain dolls left in front of girls’ homes is solved

Orange County Sheriff’s Department officials say the person who left porcelain dolls at the homes of several young girls in an upscale San Clemente neighborhood meant it as a gesture of “goodwill” and did not intend to cause concern among parents.

The Sheriff’s Department on Thursday said a local woman, who attends the same church as many of the families involved, admitted to leaving dolls at the doorsteps of at least eight homes in the Talega community of San Clemente.

Her identity was not released.

The dolls caused concern among some residents who said they may have been made to resemble the girls. Some of the girls, all about 10 years old, attend the same elementary school.

No notes or threatening messages were attached to the ornate dolls.

“It’s peculiar, strange and weird and all that stuff,” Orange County Sheriff’s Lt. Jeff Hallock told City News Service. “People are saying the dolls slightly resemble their daughters, which is creepy.”

But after announcing an investigation into the dolls earlier in the day, the Sheriff’s Department on Thursday said detectives had interviewed the woman and determined that her motivation was “out of goodwill and that she intended it as a kind gesture.”