The father of a 15-year-old Monterey Park girl who was missing for a week has been arrested on suspicion of child abduction and other offenses. Jeffrey Chao is accused in connection with the disappearance of his daughter, Alison Jillian Chao, according to the Monterey Park Police Department. Alison was reported missing on July 16, sparking widespread searches and public requests for assistance.
The police department stated that their dedicated efforts and collaboration with other agencies were crucial in resolving the situation and ensuring Alison’s safety. Jeffrey Chao’s family law attorney, Hannah Bui, mentioned that Alison’s mother, Annie Chao, has sole legal custody due to mental health reasons. Last week, Annie Chao was granted temporary physical custody of Alison.
During a news conference on Tuesday, Jeffrey Chao expressed gratitude toward friends and the community for their help in finding his daughter. “We’ve been really worried about where she’s been.
Father arrested for Alison’s abduction
We really appreciate what everyone’s done and helped out with,” he said. Alison disappeared on the evening of July 16 in the El Sereno area of Los Angeles. She had left her father’s house in Monterey Park and was heading toward an aunt’s home in San Gabriel on a blue mountain bike, but she never arrived.
Surveillance cameras in the neighborhood captured her riding her bike. On Tuesday morning, a Glendale resident recognized Alison and called authorities, leading to her being found. The teenager’s parents are currently going through divorce proceedings and a custody dispute.
Jeffrey Chao’s attorney said that Alison had been living with her father until her mother recently gained temporary custody, just before her disappearance. The details surrounding Alison’s disappearance remain unclear, and the police department is still investigating the incident.
