PITTSBURGH — An elderly Ohio couple and another man accused of kidnapping the woman's older sister from her dilapidated apartment had the most serious charges against them dropped Wednesday and are expected to enter a probationary program.

Laura Stewart, 73, had been on a "mission of mercy," according a former attorney, when she and her boyfriend, Earl Cross, 76, and another friend, Darnell Randall, 48, of Pittsburgh, removed Evelyn Poynter, 86, from Poynter's home in December.

Police acknowledge Poynter's home was in deplorable condition with clutter and garbage throughout but have said that did not give Stewart and Cross, both of Shaker Heights, Ohio, a legal right to forcibly remove her and drive her to Ohio. Poynter's hands were bound with duct tape, according to police.

On Wednesday, prosecutors withdrew kidnapping, assault and false imprisonment charges against the trio. They remain charged with unlawful restraint.

The three will enter a probationary program for first-time offenders. If they complete it, their records may be expunged.

Poynter is back home but declined to talk to reporters.