Marty Roney

Montgomery Advertiser

PRATTVILLE – The Autauga County Sheriff's Office recovered 21 dolls from a local swamp Tuesday morning, but officials feel the motive in placing them is more mischievous than sinister.

The dolls were atop bamboo stakes and had been placed in Bear Creek Swamp, close to County Road 3, the dirt road that travels through the wetland. The swamp is located between Prattville and Autaugaville. The majority of the dolls are porcelain and have the appearance of antiques. Many had the faces and hair covered in what looked like white spray paint.

"I noticed the dolls several weeks ago while driving through the swamp working on a stolen vehicle report," said Chief Deputy Joe Sedinger. "I just thought they were a Halloween prank, and really didn't give it much thought after that."

That was until Monday night when social media blew up about the dolls, and the office got wind of the concerns. So on Tuesday morning deputies got in a canoe, paddled around for about 30 minutes and recovered the dolls.

"I admit it looked kind of creepy," Sedinger said with a laugh, as the dolls were being inventoried back at the courthouse. "You could see them from the road. We figured it was best to get them up."

The land where the dolls were placed is owned by a timber company.

"We tried to contact them," Sedinger said. "No one got back to us so we just decided to get the dolls. If the owner comes forward, we'll give them the dolls back."

Bear Creek Swamp is a massive bog with a bit of a reputation locally. As a rite of passage, generations of teenagers have entered the area at night looking for creatures and haints said to roam the mist-covered realm. And it's not unusual to hear reports of loud booms coming from its depths.

That reputation is likely a reason why the courthouse was abuzz about the doll discovery.

"If somebody says they've seen a clown out there putting up dolls, I'm never going to Autaugaville again," said Jan Taylor, who had business in the courthouse Tuesday.