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On Tuesday morning, a 15-year-old girl who was reported missing in Monterey Park last week, was found safe outside the Glendale office of ABC7.
On the afternoon of Tuesday, July 16, Alison Jillian Chao was reported missing.
A security guard at ABC7 reported that the missing minor girl was walking when someone in a car began following her and identified her as a missing person. The concerned individual then contacted the police for assistance.
According to a statement released by the Monterey Park Police Department, they are grateful to the community members and various local, state, and federal partners for their valuable assistance during the investigation.
According to reports, Chao departed from her residence on a bicycle a week ago Tuesday at approximately 5:30 p.m. Her intended destination was her aunt’s residence in San Gabriel, but she failed to arrive.
In the afternoon, Alison’s father, Jeffery Chao, and her aunt held a press conference to express gratitude towards the public for their assistance in searching for Alison. Due to pending litigation, the family’s attorney mentioned that they had limitations in terms of answering questions regarding Alison’s situation.
According to the family, Alison’s mother has been granted full custody of her on a temporary basis as confirmed recently. Alison’s aunt believes that she ran away because she did not want to stay with her mother.
It remains unclear to the family where she had spent the last week.
Jeffery Chao, father of Alison, expressed his gratitude towards everyone who came out to help find his daughter. He acknowledged the efforts of the friends and the community who aided in the search for Alison. “We’ve been extremely worried about her whereabouts, and it means a lot to us that everyone has come forward and helped out,” he said. Jeffery extended his heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributed to the search for his daughter.
According to state confidentiality laws, the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services cannot disclose any information regarding its contact or involvement with Alison and her family.
Alison’s court-appointed attorney and mother both released statements on Tuesday.
Statement from Alison’s mother
Annie Chao, the mother of the individual in question, released a statement through her attorney. The statement can be read in its entirety here.
One of the sections states:
It is an immense relief to know that Alison has been found safe and sound. As a parent, my love for her is unconditional and steadfast. Alison holds a special place in my heart as she is my only child and means the world to me. It warms my heart to know that a kind-hearted individual stepped in to help escort her to the police. I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to that person for their selfless act of kindness.
Alison’s family has been a victim of online misinformation, and her loved ones have been deeply affected by it. It’s crucial for people to stop sharing and posting false information about them. This is a plea from Alison’s family to put an end to the spread of this misinformation.
As a young girl, Alison understandably has complex emotions regarding my divorce from her father. However, I find solace in the fact that she has the love and adoration of both my family and her dad’s side. Alison possesses exceptional talents, intelligence, and a kind-hearted nature that makes her all the more special.
Regardless of the challenges that may arise, I am committed to safeguarding Alison’s interests to the best of my abilities. I will not waver in my dedication to her, even if faced with opposition or criticism.
Statement from Alison’s attorney
In May, the court appointed Attorney Emily Robinson to represent Alison. If you’re interested, you can read Robinson’s complete statement here.
Part of the text states:
Throughout multiple court hearings, a highly skilled judge has thoroughly examined the case at hand, leaving no stone unturned. After considering Alison’s medical professionals’ insights, along with evidence presented to the court, including testimony from both parents, the judge has made decisions that are solely in Alison’s best interest. These decisions include granting Annie Chao, Alison’s mother, sole decision-making authority over her mental health and sole physical custody of Alison. The judge’s competence and dedication to ensuring Alison’s well-being have been evident throughout the course of the proceedings.
According to Robinson, there have been several social media posts circulating inaccurate information about the investigation into the disappearance of the individual in question. These posts have only served to hinder the investigation and its progress. As a result, Robinson is requesting that the respective social media platforms take down these posts to prevent any further complications in the case.
