She found a Western University diploma from '79 in a dresser. Now she's trying to find its owner

When Western University student Baylee Bennett and her family bought a dresser off Facebook Marketplace, they were just looking for extra storage for her clothes.

Instead, they came across a mystery.

Hidden beneath the lining of the dresser drawers, the family found a bachelor's degree, master's degree and driver's license, all dating back decades before Baylee was born.

"I know that if this was my family's diploma, like from my grandmother or great grandmother, that I would have wanted it," said Baylee, who just finished her first year at Western University. "Even if it's not that important, and maybe they got another diploma, it's still kind of sentimental."

The two Western diplomas were found back-to-back in a clear plastic lining. The bachelor of science honours degree in physiology dates back to 1979 and the master of science physiology dates back to 1981.

Both belong to Karolina Anna Menkal, whose includes the surname Skinner on the latter degree.

Alongside the diplomas, the Bennett family found a driver's license belonging to Janina Menkal, who they believe is Karolina's mother.

Baylee's father, Steve Bennett, was the first to discover the documents in Florence, Ont., when he and his wife picked up the dresser three months ago, and were getting ready to refurbish it.

"I brought it home, just stripping it down to sand it and give it a paint, and there was a wallpaper-type of material for drawer liners. Under those liners were the diplomas and ID card," he said, adding that the seller told him it was purchased at an auction.

"I just assume somebody put [the items] underneath those papers to protect it from the clothes or whatever was in the drawer."

Tracking down the rightful owner became the next priority.

Baylee's search began at Western's Office of the Registrar, after an upper-year student recommended it as a starting point. The school told Bennett she could drop the diplomas off at the office, but she decided against it as she didn't want to leave the documents unattended.

"I asked if there was any way that I could know if they found the family, and they said they can't guarantee it," she said.

Western University told CBC News that in addition to dropping off the diplomas with the registrar, the family can alternatively fill out the "find a grad" form on its alumni relations website, and staff will reach out to the family if there is contact information on file.

"Any outreach would be handled with care and in line with privacy legislation," the university said in a statement.

Instead, Bennett took to social media, posting a photo of her findings in a local Facebook group, with a plea to find the family.

"I wanted to know if there was any other possible way to find this family so I know that the diploma got to them, instead of [Western] maybe shredding it if they couldn't find the family. I didn't want to risk it," she said.

After reading through the close to 100 comments and direct messages, Baylee said she came across a family obituary. Since then, she sent Facebook messages to profiles she believes could be Karolina, her husband and one other family member, but is still waiting on responses.

"I feel like it would be interesting to meet them and hopefully they appreciate having this back, because I know that I would if I was in that situation," she said.

Until then, Baylee said she is planning to keep the diplomas and driver's license at her home, as she works away at getting her own degree over the next three years.