Former Sullivan County public administrator Joan Brummitt answered for her oversight as guardian
by Matt Flener
MILAN, Mo. — A former Sullivan County elected public official faced pointed questions from a judge on Tuesday for how she handled the estates of 13 people whom she oversaw as guardian or conservator.
The judge ordered former longtime Sullivan County Public Administrator Joan Brummitt to appear before him on Tuesday — in one case asking why she did not transfer more than $400,000 from a ward’s estate to the new public administrator in the county after Brummitt resigned from office.
Sullivan County Associate Circuit Judge Adam Warren on Tuesday, after hearing an explanation from Brummitt’s attorney, gave Brummitt more time to transfer ownership of that specific ward’s bank and brokerage accounts to the new county public administrator before holding her in contempt.
In 12 other probate cases of former wards, Warren cited Brummitt for failing to file various reports. Brummitt cleared most of those cases by filing the reports in the court record and before Warren on Tuesday.
Brummitt declined to comment to KMBC 9 News about the cases.
Brummitt’s court appearance marks the latest questions from a judge.
In a separate criminal case, she is facing four felony counts of financial exploitation of an older/disabled person and four felony counts of stealing $750 or more.
She has pleaded not guilty.
Brummitt, in her role as Sullivan County Public Administrator, had the responsibility to care for wards of the state.
Public administrators are elected in Missouri to take care of financial and medical decisions for elderly or mentally ill patients when a judge decides family or friends can no longer care for them.
Court documents in Brummitt's criminal case
Previous court documents allege Brummitt moved money last October from an elderly ward’s bank account to her personal bank account on four separate occasions.
A Missouri State Highway Patrol investigator said on Oct. 14, 2025, Brummitt used her personal cell phone and online banking app to send money from the ward’s account through three separate transactions, totaling $999, $1,900 and $1,980.
She made another online $999 transfer on Oct. 16, the MSHP investigator said in court documents.
The total amount came to $5,878.
Brummitt is charged with four felony counts of financial exploitation of an older/disabled person and four felony counts of stealing $750 or more.
A Missouri State Highway Patrol investigator testified last month that Brummitt admitted to the highway patrol that she moved money from the ward’s account to hers.
The investigator told the court that Brummitt admitted to highway patrol investigators that hackers told her to move the money.
Brummitt’s criminal attorney, Mark Williams, has previously told KMBC 9 News that Brummitt is innocent until proven guilty.
In a series called "Paper Prisons," KMBC 9 News is investigating ways to systemically improve the care of those under guardianship by highlighting stories of people struggling to navigate a tangled system of legal paperwork, medical records and court orders.
If you have a tip about a Missouri guardianship case, email investigates@kmbc.com.
Full Article & Source:
Judge questions former Sullivan County public guardian about multiple guardianship cases
See Also:
Sullivan County elected official accused of stealing thousands from disabled person
Missouri elected guardian charged with 8 felonies for stealing from ward
Missouri public guardian pleads not guilty to eight felony counts
Judge: Missouri public guardian’s felony financial crime case can move forward
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