For Immediate Release:
December 13, 2006

Contact:
Nanci Gonder
Office of Public Information
573-751-6062

Bob Bax
Department of Mental Health
573-751-4423

Statement by the Missouri Departments of Health and Senior Services and Mental Health

As part of our investigations into the role of Robert DuPont in operating long-term care facilities run by the corporation Joplin River of Life Ministries, Inc., our agencies became aware of documents in our possession that may provide evidence that Mr. DuPont was illegally involved in operating long-term care facilities. Specifically, the Missouri Department of Health has documents from inspection exit interviews with Mr. DuPont’s signature. The Missouri Department of Mental Health has meeting notes that indicate Mr. DuPont’s presence in two surveys of Guest House I in Joplin since 2004.  He is also noted in 2002 documents and prior to that time. This information will be used in the departments’ consideration of licensure actions against these facilities (Anderson Guest House, Joplin Guest House I, Guest House III and Carl Junction Guest House).

The Department of Health and Senior Services and Department of Mental Health will review its systems to ensure there is not a gap of information between inspectors in the field and licensing staff in the Jefferson City headquarters. Currently inspectors look for concerns such as how residents are treated, appropriate medical care and treatment plans, whether the food is safely prepared, whether staff are adequate and whether fire and other safety measures are in place. While these issues must continue to be their primary concern the department will seek a system that will allow better exchange of information from Jefferson City headquarters to the field and from the field to headquarters.