The city of Joplin filed a lawsuit against Nevada Regional Medical Center (NRMC) for the 'dumping' of two homeless patients in Joplin. The legal filing from the Jasper County Circuit Court alleges both homeless patients from NRMC were not from the Joplin area.
Both counts occurred in the summer of 2025.
The case says the 'unsanctioned displacement of the patients by NRMC unreasonably interfered with the public health, safety, and public peace of the City of Joplin.'
The filing redacted the names and medical information of the two patients.
According to the case, NRMC falsely informed both patients that shelter was available in Joplin.
Joplin has several resources and shelters for the unhoused. But experts say resources and rooms are dwindling.
One of the displaced patients was physically and mentally disabled and became stranded on the streets when the shelter would not accept her.
A local business called the Joplin Police Department after the patient was reported to be causing a disturbance.
The police officer found her to be "borderline incoherent, not understanding where she was or why she was in Joplin and struggling to walk without assistance," according to the case.
Joplin passed an ordinance in November 2025 prohibiting the displacement of transient officials to the city.
Josh Shackles with the Homebound Program says dropping patients in an unknown area perpetuates the cycle of homelessness.
"They arrive in Joplin, where they don't know anyone, and they have no support system, they have no resources, and they quickly realize that our shelters are full beyond capacity," added Shackles.
The city of Joplin also has an ordinance that says "it shall be unlawful for any person to camp or to store personal property, including camp facilities, camp paraphernalia in any park, any street, or any public property."
If an officer finds someone camping, they ask if they are homeless. If they are, the officer helps them find a shelter.
If no shelter is available, the unhoused person doesn't receive a ticket. If there is shelter and they refuse it, the officer can issue a ticket or arrest the individuals.
Arresting a homeless individual for camping can create additional problems, according to Robin Smith with the Economic Security Corporation.
"And it's a huge burden on folks that already don't have anything and have too many burdens as it is," Smith said.
Smith said she's worked with individuals who had a clean record before receiving a $250 fine for trespassing.
The case further states that NRMC placed a strain on Joplin's taxpayer resources.
Smith empathizes with the city of Joplin, many agencies are
"either running out or getting close to running out of funds for the year to be able to house and help people. "
While she couldn't comment directly on NRMC's specific processes, Smith wished there were more resources for mental health and social services for individuals like the patients in the case.
Lawyers representing the city of Joplin filed the case on December 22nd, 2025, and a summons for the court case was issued this week.
The city of Joplin told KRPS that it does not comment on pending litigation.
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