When a nursing home closed leaving elderly residents to fend for themselves, a cook and janitor stayed behind

Caregiving heroes Maurice Rowland and Miguel Alvarez never imagined their ordinary workday would turn into a life-changing decision.

When the nursing home where they worked suddenly shut down, they were left in the middle of chaos—16 elderly residents still inside, no nurses, no management, and no one coming to help.

Maurice, a cook, and Miguel, a janitor, could have walked away like the others. But they didn’t.

Instead, they stayed—facing the unknown, unpaid, and unsupported—to ensure the residents were fed, bathed, and safe.

Although this happened several years ago, their quiet courage inspires those who believe in doing what’s right, even when no one is watching.

The difficult situation at Valley Springs Manor

In October 2013, Valley Springs Manor in Castro Valley, California, was abruptly shut down by state officials after years of safety violations.

But the closure created a bigger crisis—many staff members quit, and 16 elderly residents were abandoned inside, some with dementia or serious medical needs.

Maurice and Miguel couldn’t bear the thought of those residents left to fend for themselves.

“I just couldn’t see myself going home,” Maurice said. “Next thing you know they’re in the kitchen trying to cook their own food and burn the place down.”

How caregiving heroes stepped in to help

With no nurses, administrators, or emergency support, the caregiving heroes took matters into their own hands.

Miguel barely left the facility, returning home for just an hour each day to shower and change.

He even missed a planned trip with his family. When his wife visited to check on him, she was heartbroken by what she saw.

Miguel later revealed his decision was deeply personal. Having been abandoned as a child, he couldn’t allow these seniors to feel that same loneliness and neglect.

Maurice echoed the same feelings, saying that walking away would’ve left him haunted by guilt.

The heartbreaking truth about the abandoned nursing home residents

While the two men gave everything to protect the residents, the system failed them.

The California Department of Social Services later admitted they had mishandled the situation.

In an official statement, the agency admitted, “The Department fell short of its mission to protect the health and safety of residents in Valley Springs Manor. The Division erred in not ensuring, through successful engagement with local partners, that relocation arrangements for all of the residents were complete.”

The emergency response didn’t come until days later—after Maurice called 911 when a resident’s condition worsened.

That call prompted the evacuation of the remaining residents.

The moment that changed everything

By then, the caregiving heroes had formed deep bonds with the residents—many of whom they now considered like family.

Their selfless decision not only saved lives but also touched hearts across the country.

News of their bravery spread fast. They were honored by the American Veterans Association, received recognition from Representative Eric Swalwell’s office, and were commended by the California Legislature.

A donation campaign raised $10,000, and it was split between them in gratitude.

“We didn’t expect any of this,” Miguel said. “We’ve never expected anything from anyone in life.”

What life looks like now for the caregiving heroes

After the dust settled, justice followed. The owner and a top administrator of the nursing home were charged with felony elder abuse for abandoning the elderly and mentally ill residents without care or staff for two days, according to East Bay Times.

For Maurice and Miguel, it was a moment of accountability.

Maurice said it was time for someone to take responsibility. Miguel added that justice didn’t need to mean jail—but the system had to answer for what happened.

Their story is a powerful reminder of how much impact one choice can have. They didn’t wear scrubs or badges. They weren’t trained doctors or nurses. But they were, in every sense, caregiving heroes.

A legacy of compassion and courage of the caregiving heroes

Maurice and Miguel never sought recognition. What they gave came from the heart.

In a world where too many look the other way, their story reminds us of what real compassion looks like—and how the quietest heroes often leave the biggest legacy.

They stepped up not because they had to—but because it was the right thing to do.

Here’s one of the interviews with the caregiving heroes Maurice Rowland and Miguel Alvarez with The Real Daytime: