Missouri Woman Seeks Release from Public Guardianship

Chiro Richey says she is "locked up and trapped" in a system that is "not fair"

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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Chiro Richey, a Missouri woman under public guardianship, has been living in a nursing home for the past six months and is seeking to be released from the state's care. Richey, who had a drug problem in the past, says she is "locked up and trapped in a system that is not fair" and feels her situation is "way worse than prison." Her court-appointed guardian, Buchanan County Public Administrator Brad Haggard, has agreed for Richey to undergo an independent psychological evaluation that could determine if she can be released from guardianship.

Why it matters

Richey's case highlights the difficulties faced by wards of the state in Missouri's public guardianship system, which an investigation by KMBC has found "unnecessarily institutionalizes" many people with mental health disabilities in nursing homes. The system faces challenges with limited resources and coordination, leaving public administrators like Haggard struggling to provide the least restrictive care for their clients.

The details

Richey became a ward of the state in 2016 after asking a judge to take away her rights so she could get clean from a drug problem. However, even after getting clean, she says the state has refused to let her go. Haggard, Richey's guardian, has 297 clients spread across 34 nursing homes in Missouri, making it difficult for him to be more engaged with each person. A 2020 report found the state's public guardianship system is "fragmented" due to a lack of funding and coordination.

  • In 2016, Richey became a ward of the state of Missouri.
  • Every year since 2017, a judge has reviewed a year-end status report from Richey's public guardian.
  • In September 2022, Richey appeared before Buchanan County Judge David Bolander and thanked him for reviewing her case.
  • Bolander ordered an independent psychological evaluation for Richey, which is now scheduled for early March 2023.
  • Bolander will review Richey's case again on March 25, 2023.

The players

Chiro Richey

A Missouri woman who has been under public guardianship since 2016 and is seeking to be released from the state's care.

Brad Haggard

The Buchanan County Public Administrator and Richey's court-appointed guardian, who oversees 297 clients across 34 nursing homes in Missouri.

Judge David Bolander

The Buchanan County judge who has been reviewing Richey's case and ordered an independent psychological evaluation to help determine if she can be released from guardianship.

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What they’re saying

“This is nothing like prison. This is way worse than prison.”

— Chiro Richey (KMBC)

“Because we certainly don't want that. We don't want anyone to feel like that.”

— Brad Haggard, Buchanan County Public Administrator (KMBC)

“I'm locked up and trapped in a system that is not fair.”

— Chiro Richey (KMBC)

What’s next

The judge in Richey's case will review her independent psychological evaluation and her request for restoration of her rights at a hearing on March 25, 2023.

The takeaway

Richey's case highlights the challenges faced by wards of the state in Missouri's fragmented public guardianship system, which lacks resources and coordination to provide the least restrictive care. Her story underscores the need for systemic improvements to ensure those under guardianship are not "locked up and trapped" in a system they feel is "not fair."