Jeffery Chao, Monterey Park, California dad of missing teen, Alison Jillian Chao arrested on child abduction and other charges in new twist as new questions arise as to where the missing teen was during the week she disappeared.
The father of a 15-year-old girl from Monterey Park, California who went missing for a week has now been arrested on suspicion of child abduction, conspiracy and falsifying a police report.
Jeffery Chao was arrested following an ‘extensive investigation’ after his daughter, Alison Jillian Chao, suddenly vanished after leaving her father’s home on July 16.
A missing persons case was then opened into the straight A student after she failed to show up at her aunts house in San Gabriel some three miles away after allegedly leaving her dad’s Monterey Park home by bicycle.
Alison Chao father lawyer previously refuted allegations of child kidnapping or foul play
A city-wide search began for the missing teen with volunteers looking through local neighborhoods, handing out missing person flyers with family members making media appearances, statements and tearful pleas including her mother, Annie Chao.
Annie was last seen on surveillance footage in a photo of her riding her GT mountain bike wearing a purple t-shirt with black shorts and dark shoes. She was also carrying a backpack.
In a surprise twist, Alison turned up safe and well on Tuesday – a full week after her disappearance – when she showed up outside the gates of the local ABC television station in Glendale, wanting to ‘tell her story’.
In the immediate aftermath, Jeffery Chao along with his lawyer, Jose Romero, held a press conference addressing his daughter’s disappearance, with the lawyer at one point, refuting allegations that there had been a child kidnapping.
Responding to questions whether the father had seen or heard from his daughter during the week Alison went missing, the father turned to his lawyer for guidance, refusing to answer reporter’s questions.
‘We’ve been really worried about where she’s been,’ the father said on Tuesday. ‘We really appreciate what everyone’s done and helped out with.’
What role did Alison Chao father play in her abrupt disappearance?
The father’s arrest and the girl turning up to the television station has now led to questions over exactly what happened during the week Alison was missing.
Although details surrounding her father Jeffery Chao’s arrest are vague, investigators believe he may have played a role in Alison’s disappearance, NBC4 reported.
On Friday, police said the investigation was ongoing with ‘no further comment at this time.’
The teen’s parents are divorced which has fueled speculation that perhaps Alison’s vanishing was as a result of a child custody dispute.
Her mother, Annie Chao was awarded ‘sole physical custody’ over Alison, in the interest of her mental health and well-being.
Video has also emerged the day before Alison was reported missing showing police at Jeffery Chao’s home, urging the teen to come with them, the dailymail reported.
A female voice can be heard in the background sounding distraught and refusing.
The family does not know where Alison spent the week she was missing.
Where did Alison Chao spend the week she went missing?
When Allison showed up at the television station, a woman, Rachelle, recognized her from the missing poster.
Rachelle said the teenager was desperately trying to talk to someone
‘She was very clear on “I’ve come to ABC to tell my story. No one else will listen to me,”‘ Rachelle told the local news outlet.
‘What struck me immediately was how self-possessed she was. Sound of mind. Very articulate, very clear on what the situation was.
‘She was crying. She was very upset. Mostly about not being able to tell her story.
‘I can only tell you that this is someone who’s three years short of adulthood, who believes that she’s deeply unheard, and that she has no avenue for adjudication,’ Rachelle said.
‘I hope her family comes together, can solve this for her, that the courts don’t fail her.’
Alison had lived with her father, but her mother was recently granted temporary custody right before the teenager’s disappearance.
Alison Chao is now in the custody of the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services.
