On Tuesday morning, a 15-year-old girl, who had been reported missing in Monterey Park, was discovered safe outside the Glendale office of ABC7.
On the afternoon of Tuesday, July 16, Alison Jillian Chao was reported missing.
A security guard from ABC7 reported that a girl was on foot and being followed by someone in a car who recognized her as a missing minor. The individual immediately called the police for assistance.
According to a statement released by the Monterey Park Police Department, they are handling the investigation and expressed their gratitude to the community members and various local, state and federal partners for their assistance during the investigation.
According to reports, Chao departed from her residence on a bicycle last Tuesday at approximately 5:30 p.m. Her intended destination was her aunt’s residence in San Gabriel, but unfortunately, she never made it there.
During the afternoon, Alison’s father, Jeffery Chao, and her aunt held a press conference to express their gratitude towards the public for their support in the search for Alison. However, due to pending litigation, the family’s attorney stated that they couldn’t provide details about her current situation and were limited in answering questions.
According to the family, Alison’s mother has been granted temporary full custody of her last week. Alison’s aunt speculated that her niece ran away as she did not want to be with her mother.
It remains unclear to the family where she had been during the previous week.
Jeffery Chao, Alison’s father, expressed his gratitude towards everyone who came out to help find his daughter. He spoke about how worried they were about her whereabouts and how much they appreciated the support of their friends and community. “I really appreciate everyone coming out and helping. We’ve been really worried about where she’s been. And really appreciate what everybody’s done and helped out with,” said Chao.
According to the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services, state confidentiality laws prevent them from disclosing any information regarding their interaction or involvement with Alison and her family.
Alison’s court-appointed attorney and mother both issued statements on Tuesday.
Statement from Alison’s mother
Annie Chao’s statement, which was released through her lawyer, can be found in its entirety here.
One section of the text states:
After hearing the news of Alison’s safe return, a wave of immense relief washed over me. As a mother, my love for her knows no bounds, and she is undoubtedly the most important person in my life. Knowing that she is now out of harm’s way brings me immeasurable peace of mind.
I am grateful to the kind-hearted individual who went out of their way to escort Alison to the authorities. Their selflessness and compassion are truly commendable, and I want to express my heartfelt appreciation for their actions. Without their help, Alison’s safe return may not have been possible.
In her statement, Alison’s family member addressed the issue of misinformation being shared online about Alison and their family. A plea was made to individuals to refrain from spreading such false information.
Although my divorce from her father has understandably complicated Alison’s feelings, she is a young girl with a supportive family on both her dad’s side and mine who love and adore her. Alison is a remarkable young woman who possesses exceptional intelligence, talent, and a loving heart.
Regardless of the challenges that may arise and the criticisms that may come my way, my utmost priority is to safeguard Alison’s interests. I am committed to doing everything in my power to ensure that she is protected, and I will not waver in my efforts to do so.
Statement from Alison’s attorney
In May, the court appointed Attorney Emily Robinson as Alison’s representative. You can read Robinson’s complete statement here.
One section of the text states:
Throughout multiple court hearings, a highly competent judge has meticulously examined this case inside and out. After considering the evidence presented in court, including testimony from both parents and consultations with Alison’s medical professionals, the judge has made decisions that are solely in Alison’s best interest. As a result, Annie Chao, Alison’s mother, has been granted sole decision-making authority over Alison’s mental health and sole physical custody of her.
According to Robinson, inaccurate information has been circulating on social media regarding the case, which has impeded the investigation into the disappearance. As such, she is urging social media platforms to remove these posts.
