What a roller coaster of a year since I first posted this petition! Picking up where I left off, Michigan's Cedar Creek Psychiatric Hospital released my daughter from their hospital AGAINST the court order placed by APS, which deemed she remain in custody for her own safety. She was picked in Michigan by a transient meth addict. Another missing persons report was filed as part of the search to locate her once again.
On the way back to Missouri through Illinois, they were arrested for felony meth in Montgomery County Illinois. It was obvious to the Illinois officers, lawyers, and judges that my daughter suffered from mental illness. After being found unfit to stand trial due to mental illness TWICE by the state of Illinois within eleven months, the courts worked with us to secure an Illinois temporary guardianship. The hope was that this would give us the ability to get her home safely to Missouri and keep her safe while petitioning for guardianship in our state.
On May 2, 2023, we drove to Illinois to bring her home for treatment, out-of-state guardianship in hand. In the last five weeks, we have struggled through her being admitted to Research Psychiatric three times, two missing persons reports, close to a dozen police encounters involving multiple departments, multiple ER visits, and countless sleepless nights--all because of one mission. KEEP HER SAFE. Research Psych wasn't helping us do this. Despite the extensive history of mental illness cited by multiple social workers, healthcare professionals, and courts, the doctor still refuses to write a letter in order for us to file a Missouri guardianship petition. My daughter is NOT the only one this is happening to. I pushed back citing negligence. After all, how can any doctor ethically swear to "do no harm" but not protect the vulnerable?
The hospital responded with a refusal to honor our guardianship, clinging to a loophole Missouri statute 475.532. Now, this loophole has infested every facet of our daughter's situation and tied our hands in keeping her safe and securing her needed treatment, despite all the efforts so far of both Missouri and Illinois lawyers. Because there is no federal law mandating states to honor out-of-state guardianship, Missouri can hold fast to this loophole and continue to jeopardize the life of our daughter.
This is madness. It has to be stopped. Before she becomes a missing person once again. Before we have to navigate four more states. Before she is assaulted and victimized again. Before the "worst" we've been told we are waiting for happens. That can't be her final chapter.
Demand change and contact all elected officials.
Demand Missouri change its position on adult guardianship when it is clear someone can't advocate for herself. Equip families to care for their loved ones when they can't.
Demand amendment of statute 475.532. If another state has found sound reason to grant a family adult guardianship, Missouri must be compelled to honor and uphold it.