1 month ago
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A California father has been arrested following the mysterious disappearance of his
teenage daughter
, who vanished during a bike ride only to reappear outside a local television station a week later, according to the New York Post.
Jeffrey Chao was taken into custody on charges of child
abduction
, conspiracy, and falsifying a police report on Friday, following an “extensive investigation” into 15-year-old
Alison
Jillian Chao’s disappearance, according to the Monterey Park Police Department.
The
missing teen
was first reported to the police on July 16 at 9:36 pm, four hours after she began a 3-mile bike ride to her aunt’s house in nearby San Gabriel.
A roadside camera captured Alison on her blue mountain bike on the 4400 block of Collis Avenue in Los Angeles, five miles from her father’s home in Monterey Park, the police reported. She was reported missing, presumably by her father, when she failed to arrive at her aunt's house.
Police launched a city-wide search for Alison, which included volunteers sweeping neighborhoods and distributing missing person flyers. Alison’s mother, Annie, made several tearful pleas for her daughter’s return.
On July 23, Alison was found standing outside the offices of KABC, an ABC affiliate in Glendale, California, after being recognized by a resident who then called the authorities. The Good Samaritan said Alison had run away from home to avoid her mother, according to the Los Angeles Times. She traveled to the news studio to “tell her side of the story.”
The teen’s parents, who separated in March 2023, are in the midst of a custody battle. Last week, Annie Chao was granted sole physical custody of Alison on a temporary basis, even though Alison had been living with her father. The decision was made “in Alison’s best interest,” according to attorney Emily Robinson, appointed as counsel for Alison by the Superior Court of Los Angeles.
“Based upon my advocacy for Alison, in consultation with her medical professionals, along with evidence presented to the court, which has included testimony from both parents, the judge has made determinations that are solely in Alison’s best interest, including awarding Alison’s mother, Annie Chao, sole decision-making authority regarding Alison’s mental health and sole physical custody of her,” Robinson was quoted as saying.
Jeffrey Chao spoke at a press conference the same day his daughter reappeared, thanking friends and the community for finding Alison. “We’ve been really worried about where she’s been,” he said, according to KNBC. “We really appreciate what everyone has done and helped out with. She’s a very intelligent person and she’s a godly person with a really good heart,” he added.
Jeffrey Chao has been booked for child abduction, conspiracy, and falsifying a police report. No additional information was provided. “The Monterey Park Police Department Investigations Bureau is still currently investigating this incident and has no further comment at this time,” police said Friday.
Jeffrey Chao is being held without bail and is expected to appear in court on Monday, according to his attorney, Jose Romero.
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