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Latin Times
Latin Times
National
Taylor Odisho

North Dakota Woman Who Didn't Report Stolen Wallet to Avoid Getting Thief in Trouble Gets It Back — Almost 50 Years Later

Darlene Abel was reunited with her wallet that went missing 47 years ago. (Credit: KYFR)

A North Dakota woman lost her wallet nearly 50 years ago and didn't report it, but when it recently resurfaced, it brought back far more than just missing cash.

Darlene Abel told KYFR that her wallet was stolen while she was pregnant, working at a salon in Minot, North Dakota, in 1977. At the time, she didn't report it stolen because it wasn't worth getting someone in trouble over.

"It wasn't that big a deal because I didn't have that much money in it or anything, I don't think," she said. "Maybe they got $10, $12 if they were lucky."

Photos from Abel's missing wallet. (Credit: KYFR)

The wallet was recently returned to Abel after a plumbing crew found it in that same salon's ceiling. Luckily, Abel still lives at the address printed on her expired license. Abel said the wallet served as a reminder of how much things change.

More than anything, the wallet's contents carry a sentimental value for Abel. In it, she found a photo of her daughter, Jessica, who died weeks before the wallet was taken.

"There were a lot of photos in there of people who are very precious to me," she said.

In addition to pictures of her parents, nieces, and nephews, Abel found coupons, loyalty and credit cards, a check for $9.28, and even a business card from an old company she started.

This time, Abel said she would like to contact whoever stole the wallet. Not to report them all these years later but to thank them for her trip down memory lane.

"It was just like walking through history, you know, looking at my wallet, my pictures and my cards; and it's been a lot of fun," Abel said.

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