This fake ring which was placed on Jacqueline's in place of her original diamond and gold wedding rings at Holywell Park Care Home in England. (Jocelyn Stockbridge via SWNS)
By Jack Fifield
Police have launched an investigation after a dementia patient’s diamond and gold wedding rings worth £9,000 ($12,000) went missing — and were replaced with plastic copies.
Jacqueline Stockbridge was taken to Holywell Park Care Home, in Sevenoaks, Kent, England after she suffered a stroke last month.
The 69-year-old — who is living with dementia — has been in the care system for 15 years and has always worn her £7,500 ($10,000) opal and gold engagement ring, encrusted with 14 diamonds, and her £1,500 ($2,000) baguette wedding band with rectangular diamonds.
So when her daughter Jocelyn, 37, came to visit her on Sept. 21, she was shocked to see a plastic ring on her finger in place of the tailor-made jewelry.
Jocelyn, who works for a university, said: “I thought ‘it’s been stolen,’ she wouldn’t take it off, she’s never taken it off.
Jacqueline with her own mother Norah Burley who died aged 99 last year. (Jocelyn Stockbridge via SWNS)
“My first thought was to panic, but I was actually there to see my mom and see her social worker to discuss her health, so I was due in a meeting.
“I was distressed and panicked, wanting to prioritize my mom’s wellbeing but also wanting to figure out what happened to her rings.”
Jocelyn brought up the missing rings to care home staff — who she claims were “dismissive” and didn’t do much to help.
Tragically, her mother didn’t realize her rings were gone until Jocelyn told her.
She said: “When I said to my mom she said ‘oh my God, it’s not there.’ When I pointed it out to her, she was really upset, but 10 minutes later she’ll have forgotten.
Fake plastic ring used to replace the real thing. (Jocelyn Stockbridge via SWNS)
“Then you point it out to her again, and she’s upset again.
“In the moment, she’ll have known what was happening if someone took it off her, but then she will have forgotten, especially if they’ve replaced it with something, she’s going to be thinking about it less.”
Jocelyn reported the incident to police, and officers have since taken the fake ring in for forensic testing, while the care home has told her they’ll be reviewing their procedures.
Jacqueline with her daughter Jocelyn. (Jocelyn Stockbridge via SWNS)
A Kent Police spokesperson said: “Kent Police is investigating the alleged theft of two rings from the resident of a care home in Hodsoll Street, New Ash Green, between Tuesday, Sept. 1, and Tuesday, Sept. 29.
“Officers have spoken to a relative of the victim and inquiries are ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.
“Anyone with information that may assist is urged to call the west Kent appeals line on 01622 604100, quoting reference 46/158636/26.”
Holywell Park Care Home was approached for comment.