A California father has been arrested following the disappearance of his teen daughter who went missing during a bike ride to a relative’s home, only to show up outside a local television station a week later.
Jeffrey Chao was taken into custody on charges of child abduction, conspiracy and falsifying a police report Friday after an “extensive investigation” into 15-year-old Alison Jillian Chao’s vanishing, according to the Monterey Park Police Department.
The missing teen was first reported to the police department on July 16 at 9:36 p.m., 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, according to the police department.
She was reported missing, presumably by her father, when she never arrived at the house.
Police launched a city-wide search for the teen, which included volunteers sweeping neighborhoods and handing out missing person flyers while Alison’s mother, Annie, made several tearful pleas for the return of her daughter.
On July 23, the teen was found standing outside the offices of KABC, an ABC affiliate based in Glendale Calif, after she was recognized by a resident who then called authorities.
The Good Samaritan said that Alison had run away from her 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 and Annie Chao was granted sole physical custody of her daughter, on a temporary basis last week, even though Alison had been living with her father, the outlet added.
The decision was made “in Alison’s best interest,” according to attorney Emily Robinson, who was 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 said.
Jeffrey Chao spoke at a press conference the same day her daughter reappeared, thanking friends and the community for finding Alison.
“We’ve been really worried about where she’s been,” the older Chao said according to KNBC. “We really appreciate what everyone’s 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 was booked for child abduction, conspiracy, and falsifying a police report, but no other information was given.
“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, attorney, Jose Romero, told NBC Los Angeles.
