SAN CLEMENTE – The mystery behind the appearance of porcelain dolls on the door step of eight San Clemente homes was solved Thursday, when authorities determined that a woman the families knew from church was placing the dolls on their doorsteps without their knowledge.

The discovery of the dolls, which resembled children who lived at the homes, initially left residents unsettled, became the talk of the neighborhood and drew widespread media interest.

Up to 10 dolls were dropped on the doorsteps of eight families. When residents realized that they weren’t the only ones to receive the unwanted gifts, they contacted the sheriff’s department.

Authorities on Thursday released photos of two of the dolls: One was wearing a blue dress and hair ribbon and pink bow; the other was dressed in a pink outfit and was found with a stuffed bunny rabbit.

Orange County Sheriff’s Lt. Jeff Hallock said that most unsettling for families was the possible resemblance between the dolls left at their homes and their children, particularly the hairstyles and colors.

The families who discovered the dolls all have children who are around 10 years old and go to the same school or are active together, Hallock said.

While there was no obvious crime and no threats made against the families, the lack of answers led detectives to pursue a full investigation.

Investigators on Thursday gathered all eight families to discuss the mystery dolls. The families noted that most of them went to the same church, and through social media realized that the likely culprit was a woman from their congregation who was trying to get rid of her dolls.

Sheriff’s officials contacted the woman, who acknowledged leaving the dolls.

The woman also admitted that she had tried to match the dolls up with children they resembled. But authorities say she didn’t mean to scare the neighbors.

“Her intent was complete goodwill,” Hallock said.

Contact the writer: 714-796-7939 or semery@ocregister.com