National Association to Stop Guardian Abuse: Woman receives guardianship termination after sharing her story with KMBC 9 Investigates

Thursday, June 4, 2026

Woman receives guardianship termination after sharing her story with KMBC 9 Investigates

by Matt Flener

FARMINGTON, Mo. — Chiro Richey walked out of a nursing home on Tuesday with a laundry basket full of clothes under her right arm.

Nursing home staffers pushed a cart full of her belongings to load into her friend’s car.

After more than 10 years as a ward of the state of Missouri, Richey was finally free, her rights restored.

“I feel great,” she told KMBC 9 Investigates over the phone.

Five hours across the state, Buchanan County judge David Bolander had just approved her release, after months of delays in obtaining a psychiatric evaluation to determine if she was eligible for release from guardianship.

Richey will now live with a friend, seek surgery for a foot injury, and ultimately aim for college.

KMBC has followed Richey’s story in an ongoing investigation into Missouri’s public guardianship system called Paper Prisons, highlighting the difficulties of wards of the state and their families under Missouri’s system of public guardianship.

KMBC is investigating ways to systemically improve the care of those under guardianship by telling stories of people struggling to navigate a tangled system of legal paperwork, medical records, and court orders. KMBC is also seeking answers, perspective, and context from those in charge of keeping wards of the state in their care for their recommendations on how to improve the system.

Dozens of people like Richey have spoken with KMBC seeking help with their Missouri guardianship cases, as they push for better living conditions, access to care, and help from their guardians.

Buchanan County Public Administrator Brad Haggard advocated for Richey’s mental health evaluation and eventual release. Haggard said it took longer than needed for Richey to get seen. He has also advocated for improvements to bring more wards closer to their home.

“[The] system needs improved,” Haggard said. “That's really the bottom line. There's lots of areas of it that needs improved.”

Haggard wished Richey well and has advocated for her to receive help through a transitional state program.

"I think the system needs improved and, you know, I can do a little bit in my world here, but I think a message needs to be out there."

Richey believes it is important for anyone seeking help with guardianship to speak up.

“I believe that with me going out with my story and with you guys putting it out there for others, people can relate, or other people's family members might catch on and say, ‘Hey, you know, there's hope.”

Chiro Richey was one of more than an estimated 11,000 people in Missouri under public guardianship.

Read more about Chiro Richey’s story here.

If you know of someone going through struggles with Missouri’s public guardianship system, or if you have a case to highlight that exposes solutions for Missouri’s public guardianship system that could teach lessons to others, please email investigates@kmbc.com.