The father of a 15-year-old Southern California girl who had been missing for about a week has been detained on suspicion of child abduction and other crimes, authorities said Friday.
Jeffrey Chao is also accused of faking a police report related to Alison Jillian Chao’s disappearance, according to the Monterey Park Police Department.
The elder Chao was being held without bond, according to his attorney, Jose Romero, who declined to elaborate. Alison was reported missing on July 16 but discovered safe on Tuesday, sparking calls for public assistance and searches coordinated by communities.
“The department’s dedicated efforts and collaboration with other agencies were pivotal in resolving this critical situation and ensuring Alison Chao’s safety,” Monterey Park police said in a statement. “The Monterey Park Police Department Investigations Bureau is still investigating this event and has no additional comments at this time. We want to inform the Monterey Park community that the department remains committed to citizens’ safety and well-being. We appreciate your ongoing help during this investigation.”
According to the father’s family law attorney, Hannah Bui, Alison’s mother has sole legal custody of her daughter due to mental health issues. Annie Chao was awarded physical custody temporarily last week.
Jeffery Chao addressed at a news conference on Tuesday, thanking friends and the community for their assistance in finding his daughter. The father’s counsel stated that no foul play or kidnapping was suspected.
“We’ve been apprehensive about where she’s been,” the father stated. “We appreciate what everyone’s done and helped out with.”
Alison disappeared after being last seen at 6:20 p.m. on July 16 in the 4400 block of Collis Avenue in Los Angeles’ El Sereno neighborhood, according to authorities. According to authorities and relatives, the girl left her father’s home in Monterey Park that afternoon, riding a blue mountain bike and carrying a black bag to an aunt’s house in San Gabriel, but she never arrived. Several neighborhood CCTV cameras observed her riding her bike.
She was discovered Tuesday morning after a local recognized her in the Glendale area and notified officials.
The teen’s parents are in the midst of a divorce and custody struggle. According to Jeffrey Chao’s attorney, Alison resided with her father, but her mother was just given temporary custody, just before the teenager went missing.
The circumstances surrounding Alison’s disappearance remain unclear.