Woman returns years-old found treasure to rightful owner in Fullerton

FULLERTON, Calif. (KABC) -- Modern-day treasure hunters with some high-tech gear have unearthed a wealth of jewelry, but one ring in a recent haul didn't belong to their treasure, and they returned it to its rightful owner.

Christine Montgomery loves a good treasure hunt. It's a hobby she's shared with her husband for more than 30 years.

Last May, while combing through the dirt where the Hanmaum Church once stood in Fullerton, she made a special discovery.

Montgomery found a gold class ring that belonged to a Charlotte Kim, and the couple made it their mission to return it to its owner.

The Montgomery family went online, turned to social media and left more than a dozen messages before finally tracking down the owner.

But Charlotte Kim, now Charlotte Lee, said she was hesitant at first to trust Montgomery, thinking it could be a scam.

It wasn't until Montgomery got Kim to look at a newspaper article about the search for the rings owner that she finally believed her and arranged to meet.

Kim, who lives nearby in Brea, said she was volunteering at the church 10 years ago when she lost the ring her father bought her in 1982.

Montgomery expressed how great it felt to return one of her findings to its rightful owner.

"After the 30 years I've been doing it, this is the first time I'm actually able to give something back," Montgomery said.

In return, Kim gave Montgomery a Korean tea set - a family treasure for the treasure hunter.