By Robert Medley
Managing Editor
Stephanie Crooks, who is blind, was a senior at Duncan High School in 1996.
That year, her family was struggling financially. They couldn’t afford a yearbook, but her mother bought her a class ring.
Sometime before graduation, the ring was in Crooks’ backpack when the backpack disappeared, presumably stolen.
The ring was missing for almost 26 years.
Stephanie Crooks, 44, who also has developmental disabilities, lives in Okarche with her caretaker Teresa Crelling.
Not long ago, a Los Angeles police officer from the LA Central Division, officer Tony Bruno, was metal detecting in the Colorado River near Laughlin, Nevada while he was on vacation. Bruno found a Duncan High School class ring, and he set his sights on returning it.
Stephanie’s first name is engraved on the ring, but not her last.
Today the ring is back with Crooks.
Okarche Police Chief Forrest Smith said Tuesday, “Today, with the help from our friends on the west coast, Sgt. Sean Cordova of the Okarche Police Department reunited Stephanie with her Duncan class ring! Stephanie informed us that her ring had been stolen in 1996! The smile on her face says it all.”
Crooks graduated from Duncan High School in 1996. She last remembers her ring in her backpack, but she had not thought about it for years.
Crelling said Crooks’ family had splurged to get the ring,
“Her mom was the only one working. She couldn’t afford a yearbook but the family was able to afford a class ring.
About a week ago, Crelling received a Facebook message that the ring had been found.
Stephanie who was able to confirm it was hers.
“It is a miracle it was found like it was,” Crelling said. “It’s kind of a miracle that someone would take the time just to return a class ring.”
Crooks said about all those involved in returning the ring to her, “they did a lot of work.”
Crooks had the ring on her left ring finger Tuesday afternoon.
“I’m going to keep it in a safe lock box,” Crooks said.
