Case One: Ward Untracked for Years

George damaged his brain by sniffing paint and petroleum fumes and drinking too much alcohol, court records show. At the age of 50, he was diagnosed as suffering from early dementia.

It wasn't his only affliction. He also was infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.

The court appointed George's sister as his guardian in 2001, and she moved him to a nursing home.

Twice in 2003, reports to the court deemed him an inappropriate resident at the nursing home. The first noted that he "elopes from the facility and engages in substance abuse" and "has reported engaging in sexual encounters while eloping."

The second disclosed that three long-term care facilities had rejected him because of behaviors that "include sexually accosting other residents, stealing, eloping and allegedly having sexual encounters."

In November 2003, George's sister reported that he was still at the same nursing home, that he had stayed with her for two days at Thanksgiving and that "he goes to Central City, bingo and church" for social and spiritual activities.

Then she sent no more reports.

In February 2009, Caroline Cammack, a probate court employee, discovered that George's guardian was sending no information about an HIV-positive ward.

"In those five years, we never knew where George was or his condition," Cammack said. And when she asked why, she said another court employee responded, "We're not sure if this man is alive."

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Case One: "High HIV Transmission Risk" Went Untracked for Years