The daddy of a Monterey Park teenager who disappeared for every week earlier than being discovered protected outdoors a Glendale TV station was arrested Friday on suspicion of kid abduction and different offenses, authorities introduced.
Jeffrey Chao, the daddy of 15-year-old Alison Chao, was arrested on suspicion of kid abduction, conspiracy and falsifying a police report, in line with a Monterey Park Police Division information launch.
“The Division’s devoted efforts and collaboration with different companies have been pivotal in resolving this essential scenario and guaranteeing Alison Chao’s security,” in line with the discharge.
The division continues to be investigating the case and declined to supply additional particulars.
A Glendale girl who declined to present her identify out of privateness considerations instructed The Instances on Tuesday that she noticed a woman who resembled Alison slipping into KABC’s workplaces in Glendale. The girl alerted a safety guard, who introduced the woman again outdoors.
The Glendale girl stated that Alison instructed her she had run away from residence and that she didn’t wish to return to her mom. Alison instructed her she was on her method to KABC to inform her facet of the story.
Jose Romero, the legal professional retained by Jeffrey Chao, stated throughout a information convention Tuesday that Alison wasn’t kidnapped and that there wasn’t any indication of foul play.
Romero declined to remark Tuesday on a video reportedly filmed by Alison the day earlier than her disappearance. The video, which circulated on social media after Alison went lacking, exhibits law enforcement officials arriving at a residence and urging Alison to come back with them.
Romero didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark Friday.
Annie Chao, Alison’s mom, stated in a Friday assertion that she separated from Jeffrey Chao on March 10, 2023, and that she initially requested to share custody of Alison.
“I need the general public to know that my household and I are good, first rate individuals, and worthy of your belief,” Annie Chao stated within the assertion. “The deceptive statements about us which have appeared on social media this week have been extremely hurtful, unwarranted, and fueled by a small variety of ‘influencers’ who wouldn’t have the complete data of my relationship with Alison or Jeff or of our residence life previous to my submitting for divorce.”
In response to a request for baby custody filed in Los Angeles County Superior Courtroom in February, Annie Chao accused Jeffrey Chao of falsely accusing that she and her father had bodily and sexually abused Alison. Within the courtroom filings, Annie Chao acknowledged that she and her father have been arrested on April 24, 2023, on suspicion of the abuse allegations, although it was not instantly clear whether or not any prices have been filed.
“I’ve devoted myself to studying about home violence and alienating behaviors in an effort to perceive the impression on Alison and myself,” Annie Chao wrote.
After her dad and mom’ separation, Alison initially lived together with her father, in line with the courtroom submitting. After Annie Chao filed for divorce in April 2023, she requested joint custody however has since requested that she have sole bodily and authorized custody and that Jeffrey have supervised visits.
Annie Chao now has “sole bodily custody” of Alison, Emily Robinson, Alison’s court-appointed counsel, stated in an emailed assertion to The Instances.
In response to Annie Chao’s submitting, Jeffrey Chao didn’t make any allegations of abuse till after their separation. After Annie Chao filed for divorce, she stated, he tried to reconcile together with her through third-party mediators and by sending her presents.
Alison Chao disappeared after she was final seen within the 200 block of North Ynez Avenue in Monterey Park at 5:32 p.m. July 16. Monterey Park police initiated a missing-person investigation at 9:36 p.m. that night, in line with a division information launch.
The teenager was using a blue mountain bike en path to her aunt’s home in close by San Gabriel, her household instructed KTLA.
The journey ought to have taken about 20 minutes, however her aunt referred to as Jeffrey Chao round 8 p.m. to let him know his daughter nonetheless hadn’t arrived.
