Mickey Rooney has requested that a court appoint a conservator for him and his estate to protect him from his stepson whom he alleges is mistreating him. According to Rooney, the stepson has been continuingly bullying him and he fears that his stepson will attempt to kidnap him. The stepson is from a 1978 marriage to the singer Jan Chamberlin. The court has now granted Rooney's request and granted a local attorney a temporary conservatorship.

The 90-year-old Rooney contends that the stepson often comes to his home uninvited and unannounced. Court filings allege that the stepson has at various times not allowed Rooney access to his medications and has also deprived him of food. Rooney states that when the stepson comes to his house he is forced to hide-out in his bedroom, effectively making him a prisoner in his own house.

In regard to his finances, court paper say that the stepson refuses to provide Rooney any information about his bank accounts or other financial information beyond telling the elderly actor that he is broke. The stepson has also reportedly confiscated Rooney's passport.

Beyond granting conservatorship powers to the attorney, the court also ordered that the stepson stay at least 100 yards away from Rooney and his home. He must also stay away from several other family members who live with Rooney in his home.

It is heartbreaking to hear stories like this, a situation that is not uncommon among vulnerable adults. Fortunately, the Arizona courts can appoint a guardian or conservator to protect adults who are at risk of exploitation.

Source: MSNBC "Mickey Rooney gets order against bullying stepson" Jill Serjeant, February 15, 2011