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Abandoned in the Flames: How the Eaton Fire Exposed Elder Neglect in Assisted Living Facilities

By Justice For Our Parents

We all learned from a recent LA Times story, and many other news sources that when the Eaton Fire swept through parts of Los Angeles County, displacing hundreds and destroying homes, it also exposed a harrowing truth: some of our most vulnerable citizens were left behind. Among them was 97-year-old Dorothy Benesh, a resident of an assisted living facility who was abandoned during the evacuation. If not for the desperate efforts of her son, Jim Benesh, she might not have made it out alive.

This shocking incident raises a critical question: How many elderly residents are being neglected in facilities that claim to provide them with care and safety? And more importantly, how can families ensure their loved ones are truly protected?

Left to Die In The Terraces at Park Marino

Dorothy Benesh was a resident at The Terraces at Park Marino in Pasadena when the Eaton Fire broke out. As flames approached, staff evacuated other residents—but left Dorothy behind.

Her son, Jim, only discovered this horrifying reality when he arrived at the facility and found her alone and in danger. “The fire was outside the window,” he recalled. “I said, ‘Mom, we’ve got to get out of here.’” Jim rescued his mother just in time, but the question remains: How did this happen?

The facility’s failure to properly evacuate all residents is now under investigation, but it’s far from the only case of elder abandonment and neglect in Southern California.

A Pattern of Neglect: Other Cases of Elder Abandonment in Los Angeles and Orange County

The Benesh family’s ordeal is not an isolated incident. A growing number of reports expose dangerous patterns of neglect in assisted living facilities and nursing homes throughout Los Angeles and Orange County:

• Robinson’s Manor Fire Evacuation Failure: Another small assisted living facility in Altadena was engulfed in flames during the Eaton Fire. While some residents were eventually evacuated, many were left stranded as the fire approached. (Source SF Chronicle)
• Terraces at Park Marino Evacuation Breakdown: Staff struggled to evacuate nearly 100 residents, some of whom were over 100 years old. Despite their efforts, the facility burned to the ground, raising serious concerns about evacuation protocols. (Source AP News)
• Dementia Care Facility Neglect: In Orange County, two elderly women were found dead in a dementia care facility, with reports indicating that staff abandoned them during an emergency. (Source Evans Law)

These cases expose a disturbing reality: Many assisted living and nursing home facilities fail to meet the most basic standard of care during emergencies.

Are Nursing Homes Safe? What Families Must Do

Families trust assisted living facilities and nursing homes to protect their loved ones, but the Eaton Fire proves that not all facilities live up to their promises. If you have a loved one in a care home, be certain to take these critical steps:

1. Investigate Their Emergency Plans – Ask specific questions: What is their evacuation protocol? Have they conducted fire drills?

2. Make Unannounced Visits – Facilities that seem well-managed during scheduled tours may look very different when they’re not expecting visitors.

3. Talk to Other Families – Current and former residents’ families can provide honest insights about a facility’s true conditions.

4. Check Official Reports & Violations – Look up any past citations, violations, or complaints against the facility.

5. Have a Backup Plan – Do not assume the facility will act responsibly. Know where you can move your loved one quickly if you suspect neglect.

6. If you suspect elder neglect or abuse, do not wait. Act immediately and contact Justice for Our Parents (J4OP) for legal guidance..

Justice for Victims of Elder Neglect

Elder neglect is not just a moral failure—it is a legal violation. California law provides strong protections for seniors under the Elder Abuse and Dependent Adult Civil Protection Act, allowing victims and their families to hold facilities accountable for neglect, abandonment, and mistreatment.

For over three decades, attorneys at Justice For Our Parents have been providing legal services for families whose loved ones have suffered from abuse.. If your loved one was mistreated, abandoned, or neglected in a nursing home, assisted living facility, or care home, we will fight for justice for them.

Our team has secured millions of dollars in compensation for victims and their families. We take cases on a contingency basis, which means you pay us nothing unless we win.

Contact us today for a free consultation and take the first step toward holding negligent facilities accountable.

The Bottom Line: Act Before It’s Too Late

The Eaton Fire disaster should be a wake-up call. If one of the highest-rated assisted living facilities in Pasadena failed its residents, how many others are cutting corners behind closed doors?

Don’t wait until it’s too late. If your loved one is in a care facility, ask the tough questions. If you suspect neglect, take action.

And if you need legal help, Justice For Our Parents is here to fight for your family.

Call us at 562-982-4311, Email us at glenna@j4op.com or Contact us on our website.