INDEPENDENCE, Mo. (AP) — The city of Independence says the Pioneer Woman statue will return to the National Frontier Trails Museum but in a different form and with upgraded security.

The original life-size statue of a woman holding a baby in one arm and a bucket in another was stolen from the museum in June. Police say it was destroyed by people wanting to sell it for scrap. Three people have been charged in the theft.

The Independence Examiner reports an artist has been commissioned to create a similar but slightly different statue. Tourism Director Cori Day says it will cost between $30,000 and $40,000. It's expected to be finished by the end of the year.

The statue will be placed in a different, more secure spot at the museum.

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