An Open Letter to the Pulaski County Missouri Commissioners
Are Pulaski County residents being coerced and swindled by their own elected officials?
Dear Sirs,
The Beginning of Shirley Butler’s Nightmare
In April 2019, Shirley Butler was removed from her home by her daughter, Kimberly Clark. After Kimberly refused to return her to her home in Dixon, Shirley attempted to escape from Kimberly’s home. Kimberly then placed our mother in Hopedale Cottage on May 6, 2019, against her will and without notifying anybody, including myself. She accomplished this using an invalid Power of attorney and by reversing the roles and placing herself as the Principal. To add insult to injury, Kimberly then confirmed her contempt for Shirley, by placing a Do Not Resuscitate order on her.
This is one of the responses Shirley had to being forced into a nursing home.
After finally locating Mom in July 2019, I was able to visit her several times before Kimberly Clark took it upon herself to once again reverse the roles of an invalid Durable Power of Attorney to further isolate and restrict Mom’s access. This included taking her identification and phone away and then denying Mom the ability to leave the facility at her own will. Below is the letter Kimberly wrote to Hopedale Cottage, asserting her power over Shirley.
When Mom and I discussed the situation she had been forced into, and what was being done to her, Mom asked me to please not fight directly with my sister but instead asked me to get a lawyer to help get her out of captivity and back home. In this short video: Kimberly Has No Respect For Our Elderly Mother, Kimberly once again shows her contempt for Mom and myself.
The attorney that prepared Mom’s trust was unwilling to assist, because of what she called a “two-headed monster.” To honor Mom’s request, I then met with a local attorney, who was also a friend, and neighbor of Mom’s for the previous 20 years. The advice received was to have Loretta Rouse placed as mom’s Guardian and Conservator, acting as a “neutral party.” As a result of that advice, Loretta Rouse was then ultimately wrongfully appointed as Guardian ad litem and Conservator ad litem, based on an “agreement” signed by all parties with no judge present. I was advised to sign it, as it would “allow you to see your mom immediately.” Once in place, and upon learning “Shirley’s value” Loretta Rouse and her staff appear to have worked closely with Ms. Clark and her attorneys over the last 4 years, 3 months and 18 days, to maintain the continued isolation of Shirley.
An Abuse of Power?
The role of the public administrator when properly constituted and administered, can be a valid role. However, it is a role of last resort. It was never meant to supplant a willing and able family member. When there is a willing family member, a public Administrator’s involvement should be unnecessary, and if so, only to the extent of periodic oversight otherwise. It truly becomes an abuse of power when a Public Administrator actively solicits for and seeks out her victims. It is even more so when some of them are handed to her on a silver platter.
Shirley’s Nightmare 4 Years On…
Let’s fast forward to 2024 and start with an email I sent to the current Pulaski County Public Administrator, Rebecca Allen on January 30, 2024.
The following day I drove to Truman Lake Manor to visit with Mom. Upon my arrival, I was denied seeing her by Tim Corbin, the Administrator of Truman Lake Manor, stating that my paperwork “didn’t mean anything”. Currently, Rebecca Allen and Timothy Corbin are both ignoring court orders regarding visitation for Shirley Butler. To date, I have yet to receive any form of response or communication from Ms. Allen.
Shirley’s Care at Truman Lake Manor
When Ms. Rouse first placed Shirley Butler in Truman Lake Manor, it only took 10 days under their care, before Shirley had to be taken to the hospital by ambulance. She was admitted to the ICU for kidney failure and acute dehydration. Four days after her admission, and despite having already found Mom, I received a notification from the Public Administrator’s office, making it appear as if Mom had just been admitted.
Unfortunately, the hospital had no contact information provided to them, and Mom had been sent there in nothing but a paper gown. When I questioned the circumstances behind her admittance, an ambulance was immediately called to transport her back to Truman Lake Manor. Unfortunately, there has been no accountability for the abuse and isolation that Shirley Buter has had to endure while under the care of Loretta Rouse and now Rebecca Allen. Sadly it continues.
I have not seen Mom since November 14, 2023. At that time, Loretta Rouse and Rebecca Allen both arrived at Truman Lake Manor. As stated in my email to her, Ms. Allen is undeniably aware of the lack of care Shirley Butler has received from Truman Lake Manor, yet she refuses to respond or acknowledge it. Unfortunately, just as Loretta Rouse did, Ms. Allen is well aware of my allegations of abuse by Truman Lake Manor, but instead of addressing it, she continues to condone it.
Where Does Accountability Lie?
The Public Administrator has used several personal attorneys to represent her in guardianship cases over the years. It appears they have repeatedly assisted the Public Administrator’s office in personally petitioning for her wards as well as denying them due process. The attorneys representing the Public Administrator are then paid out of the wards’ funds. In Shirley Butler’s case, however, Loretta Rouse has depleted her estate. Despite not having any order from the court nor any retainer agreement for services, you, our commissioners, voted “yes” to pay the invoices for the Public Administrator’s attorney John Farris. Subsequently, these invoices were initialed by Presiding Commissioner Gene Newkirk and County Clerk Dave Ernst. A check was then written by the county treasurer out of the General Fund. Before Pulaski County assumed responsibility for the actions of Loretta Rouse and her attorney regarding Shirley Butler, Mr. Farris alone, had already been paid over $44,000.00 out of Shirley's estate by the Public Administrator.
Who Should Pay?
If it is the county’s responsibility to represent a county employee in a contested case, how is the Public Administrator being allowed to force her wards to pay for her private attorney, thus allowing her to personally benefit? On the other hand, why would, our commissioners, and the County clerk place that same burden on Pulaski County taxpayers to pay for the Public Administrator’s private attorney, when the county already has an attorney available that the taxpayers fund?
What Does She Do When She Runs Out of Other People’s Money?
After depleting Shirley’s estate, and despite the county paying her private attorney fees, Ms. Rouse still needed money to pay the outstanding balance to Truman Lake Manor, approaching $20,000.00.
Though Shirley’s cases are still pending litigation, Ms. Rouse took it upon herself before her resignation, to send the below letter to CFL Preneed, stating that I fraudulently purchased said funeral plan.
Using the letter above, she was able to procure a check from CFL Preneed, taking a penalty of $4043.60 in the process, for an irrevocable funeral plan that I had purchased through Mom’s trust and based on her wishes. This is not the first funeral plan she has cashed in and Ms. Rouse is no stranger to penalties. Previously she cashed in Shirley Butler’s TSP retirement plan taking a penalty of $8250.73.
Though the Public Administrator’s office has recently partially paid Truman Lake Manor for the care or lack thereof for Shirley, what about the outstanding balance and the bills that continue to come in? Though, Pulaski County made sure the Public Administrator’s attorney got paid, what about making sure Shirley Butler is properly cared for? Why has the county not ensured that?
In my objection to the Public Administrator’s Annual and Final settlements attached below, you will see how Mr. Rouse and her staff used Shirley’s money to pay for Ralph Muxlow, John Farris, and other attorneys including Carrie Williamson and Brad York to assist her in keeping Shirley isolated and imprisoned in a nursing home.
Delaying Due Process is Denying Due Process
On August 24, 2023 Attorney Todd Wilhelmus filed on Mom’s and my behalf a Motion titled:
VERIFIED MOTION FOR A NEW TRIAL ON THE FACTS AND LEGAL ISSUES FOR THE JUDGMENT ENTERED BY THE COURT JULY 28, 2023 AND TO SET ASIDE VACATE, REOPEN, CORRECT, AMEND, HOLD FOR NAUGHT OR RELIEVE GREG LEE AND SHIRLEY M. BUTLER FROM THE ORDER APPOINTING THE GUARDIAN AD LITEM AND CONSERVATOR AD LITEM FOR SHIRLEY M. BUTLER ENTERED OCTOBER 21, 2019 AND THE JUDGMENT AND ORDER OF INCAPACITY AND DISABILITY AND APPOINTMENT OF GUARDIAN AND CONSERVATOR ENTERED NOVEMBER 25, 2019 ALL BEING VOID FOR LACK OF JURISDICTION OVER SHIRLEY M. BUTLER AND VIOLATING HER CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO DUE PROCESS
The Motion in its entirety is attached below. However, here we are on February 7, 2024, 5 months and 15 days later, and it has yet to be heard by the court. Once again, Mom and I have been denied due process.
Why Did Loretta Rouse Resign?
Ms. Rouse may have stated publicly that she is resigning to care for her mom, but I don’t believe that to be the whole truth. Ms. Rouse could surely see the writing on the wall concerning her and Rebecca Allen’s recent and continued actions. Despite “knowing” since August 24, 2023, that Shirley Butler was denied due process and wrongfully placed under guardianship, Loretta Rouse and Rebecca Allen with the assistance of several attorneys and the courts have willfully continued under the color of law to isolate and falsely imprison Shirley Butler.
How Many Victims Are There?
“A full investigation needs to be made by all entities necessary, into the actions of the Public Administrator's office. This would include Public Administrator Loretta Rouse and her Deputy Public Administrator Rebecca Allen, regarding the handling of wards and their estates. My Mom's case is not an isolated incident and is just one of many, in a pattern that has developed over the last 19 years. As the Deputy Administrator has been complicit in the actions of the Public Administrator, she should resign and be investigated as well. Shirley Butler and the citizens of Pulaski County deserve better.” The above is part of my statement to Michael Volpe in his article regarding Pulaski County and the former Public Administrator: Controversial Missouri Public Administrator Suddenly Resigns. At the end of the article, there are links to his three other articles regarding Pulaski County and the guardianship racket.
Loretta Rouse has no shortage of victims and we have spoken to many of them and/or their family members. Despite her resignation, the victimization continues under Rebecca Allen, with the assistance of attorneys and the courts. Some of these victims have now come forward to tell their stories of how they were able to escape the grasp of guardianship under Loretta Rouse. I will be sharing some of their stories in the future.
What Happens When Wards Become a Liability?
Though, guardianship abuse is a nationwide problem it is being perpetrated right here in our county and has been for many years. The abusers, including Loretta Rouse and Rebecca Allen, have been allowed to act with impunity and have been aided by family members, attorneys, and the courts.
In many guardianship cases, the abusers use the same methods. Isolate, Medicate, Steal the Estate, Cremate. The Public Administrator’s office was able to effectively do this with Dorothy Withers and others, but is Pulaski County going to allow this same fate for Shirley Butler?
Currently, I am unsure of the actual whereabouts or condition that Mom is in, and Rebecca Allen continues to refuse to provide any medical information on her, let alone any form of communication.
Unfortunately, to the Public Administrator’s office, Shirley Butler is a financial and legal “liability.” She is a financial liability in the fact that despite Loretta Rouse having depleted Shirley Butler’s assets, she is still accruing debts and can’t afford to pay for her care. Yet, she is a legal liability in the sense that the Public Administrator cannot allow anybody out of guardianship for fear that they could testify against her. Ms. Rouse has made it clear in the past that Shirley Butler would never leave guardianship. “You have in your head that she's (mom) gonna leave here...and uh..that's not gonna happen.” If you would like to hear Loretta Rouse in her own words, you can hear them in my previous article here: Is Due Process in Pulaski County a Myth?
Where is Shirley Butler Now?
Though, Shirley Butler should be home with family where she requested, unfortunately for the last four plus years, she has been isolated in three different nursing homes, endured three psychiatric facilities, the ICU, and numerous emergency room visits. Despite the county not having jurisdiction to place Shirley Butler under guardianship in the first place, she continues to remain imprisoned in Truman Lake Manor. Not only is she being deliberately isolated and deprived of her rights under the color of law by the former and current Pulaski County Public Administrators with the assistance of the courts, but her Resident’s Rights at Truman Lake Manor are non-existent.
Where does the real liability lie for Pulaski County? I can assure you that it is not the isolated victims who are unable to speak or fight for themselves. It is their captors, the former and current Public Administrators, who have zero accountability to the people, or anybody for that matter. Will Pulaski County continue to turn a blind eye and allow another county resident to be given a death sentence under the care of the Public Administrator’s office? The political status quo in Pulaski County so far has only afforded protection to those in power. It does not protect the true victims, the very citizens who voted them in.