In the proposed settlement, Hunter waived collection of administrative fees for her services to the estate, which had been approved by the probate court at $3,457.50.

A cash balance of more than $3,000 is left in France’s account, according to Hunter’s accounting.

After France was made a ward of the public administrator’s office, then hospitalized the next day, Forste came to Carthage to visit her mother. Forste and her husband took France to visit relatives, then took her home with them to California after France did not want to return to Jasper County.

Kidnapping charges were filed, and Forste, then 67, was arrested in November and held in a California jail for nearly two weeks before being returned to Jasper County, where she posted bond and was released.

Kidnapping charges against Forste and her husband were deferred and later dismissed.

France and Forste have filed lawsuits against Hunter and others seeking damages, contending that France was unlawfully made a county ward because, among other things, no relatives were notified of the hearing at which she was made a county ward. Also named as a defendant is Steven Bazzano, who signed the medical certificate submitted to the court when France was made a county ward. The suit contends it contained “a false diagnosis.” Bazzano, in an earlier deposition, acknowledged that he did not fill out the certificate and did not know who completed it.

Hunter has said local agencies, including the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, were involved in the hearing and efforts that led to her appointment as guardian for France. She said she was contacted after France lost a large amount of money to lottery scams.

Myers also has filed lawsuits against the two lawyers who served as special prosecutors in the kidnapping charges against Forste and her husband, Steve. That case has been remanded to federal court.

Class-action lawsuit

In late July, R. Lynn Myers filed a class-action lawsuit asking that the public administrator be removed as conservator of her 450 to 500 clients or be ordered to refund any fees she has charged those clients that are deemed excessive.