Authorities Search for Woman Missing from Castro Valley Convalescent Home

Authorities in Alameda County are asking for help in locating an at-risk woman who went missing from a Castro Valley convalescent home last month.

Maya Winebrenner, 20, who takes medication for mood and anxiety disorders, was seen leaving the  at 18949 Redwood Rd., Castro Valley on Jan. 24, according to the .

Winebrenner, who turned 20 on Feb. 1, was residing at the home while waiting for foster placement.

According to staff at the facility, Winebrenner had been looking forward to being placed in a new home, has never missed celebrating her birthday, and has never been away from the facility for such a long stretch of time.

Winebrenner, who also suffers from mild mental retardation, left the home without her medication, according to the sheriff's office.

She was last seen in the area of Taco Bell and Safeway on Foothill Boulevard in Hayward, where she was known to stand outside stores and ask for cigarettes or money, according to the sheriff's office.

“We’ve put up wanted posters in the community,” said Jim Fish, a social worker at the home. “We’re very concerned for her. I hope she’s found as soon as possible.”

Fish said that since posting information about Winebrenner on telephone poles and in other public places, they have received two anonymous tips. He said the tips were from Castro Valley residents who said they had spotted Winebrenner after she was went missing.

The open campus home does not enforce a curfew, but they strongly recommend to residents that they return to the facility by 10 p.m. Residents are not allowed to stay away from the home for days at a time, Fish said.

“We treat them as adults,” Fish said.

Residents range in age from 18 to 59.

Winebrenner would have been able to celebrate her birthday at the convalescent home with cupcakes, Fish said.

She was last seen wearing a red and black flannel jacket.

Anyone with information about her whereabouts is asked to contact Alameda sheriff's Sgt. Scott Dudek at (510) 667-7478.

— Bay City News contributed to this report.