When Elaine Traverse discovered the stolen Amelia Earhart statue four months ago, she thought the big cash reward that was on offer would be hers. It hasn't turned out quite that way.

Instead, the Heart's Delight-Islington, N.L. resident and her son — who has a criminal conviction for stealing copper — have become suspects.

Now she's speaking out in an effort to clear her reputation, and her son's.

“I feel like I'm a crook and I never did nothing wrong," Traverse told CBC News this week. "I'm hoping that I can get the money so I can better myself."

On the afternoon of Aug. 1, Traverse said she pulled into a forest access road off Route 74, about halfway between Victoria and Heart's Content, so her dog could relieve itself.

She said the dog became agitated and started barking, and when

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