MAHONING TOWNSHIP -- One week after our story about the missing "Dopey" dwarf from a nursing home in Carbon County, the figurine mysteriously turned up to be claimed by its rightful owner.
It's a reunion people at Mahoning Valley Nursing and Rehabilitation Center have been waiting for: Dopey is back!
Earlier this month, someone swiped the statue from the place near Lehighton.
Then the little guy just showed up at the house of the owner's son.
"He went out to get his mail around 5:30, 6 and tripped over Dopey just sitting there on his porch," said Michael Mickey. "No note or nothing, anonymously returned."
Mickey says he never thought little Dopey would get so much attention.
Since Newswatch 16 aired a story about the missing dwarf last week, he says people have stopped him wherever he went, asking for updates on the case.
"I was giving descriptions of Dopey everywhere I go. It's like; watch Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs! He's Dopey!"
The residents at Mahoning Valley think whoever took Dopey must have grown a conscience.
Or it was hard to hide a three-and-a-half foot, 100-pound Disney character when everyone was looking.
"I want to thank whoever took Dopey. Thank you for bringing him back and don't do it again," said resident Joan Evard.
"Thank God he's back. I missed him so much," said resident Rosemaire Vanko.
"I'm glad that person had enough sense to take him back," said resident Winifred Nansteel.
The residents are thrilled to have their Dopey back and the dwarfs seem pretty excited about it, too. If you take a closer look, Happy looks a little happier than usual to have his buddy back by his side.
"The gang is back together. We're glad to have him!"
And now that Dopey is safe the residents couldn't help but sing a song to make the dwarf feel at home.
Since Dopey was returned anonymously, Mahoning Valley plans to donate the $500 reward to Carbon County Friends of Animals.
As for Dopey, he'll likely be brought inside at nightfall just for safe keeping.