Ordered closed, California senior home allegedly abandoned 14 patients CASTRO VALLEY, Calif., Oct. 28 (UPI) -- California authorities say they have begun a criminal investigation of an assisted-living facility where more than a dozen patients were abandoned for two days. Only two cooks and janitor were available to take care of 14 people at the Valley Springs Manor in Castro Valley after most of the staff walked off after the home was shut down by state Department of Social Services officials, the Contra Costa Times in Walnut Creek reported Monday. The remaining three workers called the Alameda County Sheriff's Office Sunday after they "reached a point where they felt they were unable to care for them," Social Services spokesman Michael Weston said. J.D. Nelson, a sheriff's department spokesman, said deputies were inspecting the facility, which he said had recently shown signs of trouble. The home was shut down Thursday after a number of violations were reported. A patient disappeared twice in October for a total of eight days, a diabetic patient received a sugary drink, the home was found to be dirty and in disrepair, and some patients were locked in their rooms, the newspaper said. Herminigilda "Hilda" N. Manuel and Mary Julleah N. Manuel, or HNM Enterprises LLC., own the facility and two others that have been ordered temporarily closed Neither the sheriff's office, adult protective services or the state long-term care ombudsman were notified the Castro Valley facility had been temporarily shuttered, Nelson said.