VALENCIA : Missing $1,000 Is Returned to Woman

Paula Harding was rushing back to work after depositing her husband’s paycheck at a Valencia bank when the words “deposit please” delicately scribbled on a small white envelope lying in parking lot near the Santa Clarita City Hall caught her eye. She picked up the “thank-you note-sized” envelope and discovered 10 crisp $100 bills neatly folded inside.

“My first thought was ‘wow,’ ” Harding said.

But Harding then noticed that “deposit please,” the only writing on the plain envelope, was written in a trembling hand. She guessed the writer was an elderly person. “Older people have worked all their lives and I figured this person probably needed the money more than I did . . . especially because times are so bad,” she said.

Harding turned the money over to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department on Wednesday. Deputy Kevin Sweetland recognized the envelope as one described by a woman who filed a grand-theft report for $1,000 the day before.

Sweetland matched the report and evidence and returned the money to 73-year-old Pauline Doling of Saugus.

She told Sweetland she never expected to see the money again.

Harding’s youngest daughter said Thursday that her mother made the right decision.

“I’m proud of my mom,” said 12-year-old Kimberly, who initially thought the money could have been utilized well on a shopping spree.