Sister-in-Law using stolen property to blackmail my husband and me

[JustFacts Pleas]

What is the name of your state? Pennsylvania

I am hoping someone can help me with a situation involving my sister-in-law,("Dee"), and property she has taken from my home during a brief separation with my husband.

"Dee" has in her possession my personal journals, my diamond engagement ring, and my digital camera; and has admitted to having made copies of the journals. She is now threatening to distribute copies of the journals to my husband's employer and to other influential individuals [to humiliate my husband and me] and to sell my engagement ring.

"Dee" took the journals, ring and camera from our home without my knowledge or consent and refuses to return them.

I want the journals and all copies destroyed; and I would like my engagement ring and digital camera returned to me. Do I have any legal options available to me?

 

[Some Random Guy]

Call the police - report the items stolen and that your sister-in-law has admitted taking them. Unless its a cubic zirconia the ring should make it a felony.

Where is your husband in all of this?

 

[dallas702]

Why didn't you file a complaint with the police as soon as you found out she STOLE the items from you? If she entered your home without your permission to steal the items it is 1st degree burglary. If she stole them when visiting she is still guilty of theft, possibly grand larceny. If the police and DA do their job they can recover all the items under a search warrant and arrest her at the same time. Problem solved.

And your husband?

 

[justalayman]

and as the forum goes,,,,,there is (probably) more to the story.

although the previous posters gave correct advice, I presume you do not want to do this for some reason. Tell the whole story and maybe you'll get some additional advice.

 

[JustFacts Pleas]

I thank everyone for the advice ... and, there is in fact more to the story...

"Dee" had convinced my husband, ("Mark") that she should "hold" my journals, ring and camera for safe keeping until the divorce was final, (at the time neither he nor I thought we could reconcile.)

"Mark" and I have been back together for the past 15 months, (we never filed for a divorce.) "Mark" did not tell me that "Dee" has had my things until she began threatening to distribute copies of my journals, sell my ring, etc.. (He had told me he had thrown everything away when we seperated.)

I worded my original post as I did in an effort to save "Mark" embarrassment in not being able to get back from his own sister that which was not his to begin with; and to find out if there is anything I can do to recover my personal property.

 

[Some Random Guy]

Yes, this complicates things significantly. Instead of a clear cut case of theft, we have a person who was given posession of the goods which may be considered marital property by one party to the marriage. So its an interpretation of the status of the goods and the verbal conract of "here you go" versus "here you go, hold these until I ask for them back"

Hard to file a police report based upon this.

I suggest some family pressure. Is Dee married? can Mark's parents bring order to the situation?

 

[dallas702]

Mark's actions mean there is no theft, but it doesn't negate Mark's stupidity. He needs to get with his sister and the rest of the family and put a stop to this attempted defamation immediately. If she sells your engagement ring she will have commited a crime (depending on the state the name of the conversion may be different).

 

[JustFacts Pleas]

I failed to consider that even something as personal as my journals can be deemed "marital property"... As for my engagement ring, the reality is that I may never know whether or not Dee sold it.

Thank you for your kind consideration and advice.

 

[Zephyr]

Why isn't your husband over there demanding his sister return the items?

 

[JustFacts Pleas]

He has - repeatedly. However, my sister-in-law is a disturbingly cruel person and my husband refuses to hit a woman.

 

[JustFacts Pleas]

My name is not Mary.