Prosecutors will proceed with the case against three people charged with kidnapping an 86-year-old Hill District woman to get her out of her squalid home, but they are more concerned with getting proper care for the woman.

Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala Jr. said he will receive reports today from inspectors who took a look at Evelyn Poynter's second-floor apartment on Clarissa Street in the Sugar Top section of the Hill.

Ms. Poynter's sister, Laura Stewart, 72, her boyfriend, Earl Cross, 76, and friend Darnell Randall, 48, were charged with kidnapping and assault after binding Ms. Poynter in duct tape and driving her to suburban Cleveland to get her out of her home.

Mr. Zappala said Ms. Poynter suffers from severe physical limitations and he has assigned Assistant District Attorney Lawrence Claus to try to get her a guardian appointed in Orphans' Court. Such a person could help Ms. Poynter gain access to aid programs and help with her apartment, which police said was strewn with garbage.

Ms. Poynter reportedly had refused to leave her home, so Ms. Stewart, Mr. Cross and Mr. Randall removed her forcibly.

Ms. Stewart and Mr. Cross face a preliminary hearing next Tuesday, while Mr. Randall is due in court Thursday. Mr. Zappala said prosecutors likely will add an obstruction charge for their efforts to prevent police from tracking down Ms. Poynter.

But Mr. Zappala said the kidnapping charge likely will not stand, and that caring for Ms. Poynter -- the stated goal of the defendants as well -- is the priority.

"If they were trying to do the right thing, they did it the wrong way," Mr. Zappala said.