At a recent press conference, Jeffrey Chao, the father of 15-year-old Alison Chao who went missing for a week before being found in Glendale, expressed heartfelt gratitude to friends and the community for their unwavering support. Currently, Alison is safe at the Monrovia Police Department, and Mr. Chao, represented by attorney Jose Romero, indicated that he does not believe the incident involves any foul play or abduction. The Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services (DCF) is also involved, maintaining communication with local authorities.
Mr. Chao described Alison as an exceptionally bright, devout, and kind young woman, stressing that she has never run away from home before. Alison’s aunt, who was present at the press conference, spoke about Alison’s compassionate and thoughtful nature, highlighting her passion for baking. She voiced a desire for Alison’s voice to be heard.
A video circulating on YouTube shows Alison speaking with police through an iron gate, visibly upset and expressing her reluctance to leave either with them or her mother. Attorney Romero confirmed the video’s authenticity, affirming that the voice is indeed Alison’s; however, Mr. Chao chose not to comment on who recorded it.
Hannah Bui, the divorce attorney representing Mr. Chao, noted that he and Alison’s mother, Annie Chao, are currently in divorce proceedings. Attorney Romero elaborated that since the divorce case commenced in April 2023, Alison has been living with her father.
Last week, a court granted temporary sole custody of Alison to her mother, but her aunt believes that Alison’s choice to leave home was driven by her reluctance to be with her mother. Attorney Bui emphasized that the custody order is temporary and will be reevaluated.
Due to the ongoing litigation, both attorneys and Mr. Chao were unable to address many questions regarding the situation.
Two of Alison’s classmates also attended the press conference. One classmate, who has known Alison for ten years since elementary school, recalled how she often helped him with his Mandarin and shared her baked goods. He mentioned that they had discussed her experiences, and they are committed to supporting her in any way they can.
