Rafu Staff and cite lucah main dalam kolamWire Reports

Alison Jillian Chao, 15, of Monterey Park, who was reported missing on July 16, was safely located Tuesday morning with the assistance of the Glendale Police Department.

The Monterey Park Police Department extended its appreciation to community members and the many local, state and federal partners for their assistance during the investigation. 

A website established by the teenager’s family and friends, www.alisonchao.com, announced “Alison has been found!” on Tuesday morning but did not provide details.

A message on the website read, “Thank you to the community for your unwavering support and assistance in our efforts in finding Alison. This would not been possible without your help and effort! We came together as a community for Alison.”

ABC7 reported that the girl was found near the station’s offices in Glendale. According to ABC7, a security guard at the station said the girl was on foot and was being followed by someone in a car who recognized her as the missing teen and called police.

“I’d really like to thank all the friends and community that’s come out to help find her,” Alison’s father, Jeffery Chao, told reporters in a Downtown Los Angeles news conference. “We have been really worried about where she’s been, and you know, really appreciate what everybody’s done and helped out with …

“It’s just been very tiring, I’ve been very concerned. I just want what’s in the best interest of Alison at this point.”

It remained unclear what happened to the girl or where she spent the past week. Her father’s attorney, Jose Romero, told reporters that no foul play is suspected in her disappearance.

The girl is believed to be in the temporary custody of the county Department of Children and Family Services. Alison’s parents are in the midst of a divorce and custody battle.

The girl had last been seen in the 4400 block of Collis Avenue in the El Sereno area of Los Angeles, according to the MPPD. She had apparently left her father’s house in Monterey Park that afternoon and was heading toward an aunt’s home in San Gabriel, riding a mountain bike and carrying a backpack, according to police and relatives.

In a message posted on social media on Monday, Annie Chao, Alison’s mother, said, “I learned about Alison’s disappearance from the police at about 10:00 p.m. on Tuesday night. Alison’s father was supposed to bring her to me on Wednesday, July 17, at 9:00 a.m., at which time I was to have physical custody of her …

“My responsibility as Alison’s mother is to fully cooperate with law enforcement authorities to help find her and bring her home, and also to protect her privacy and dignity. I have become aware of misinformation, attacks, and threats of violence that have been posted on social media against me, my family, and even those who are only trying to help in the search for Alison.

“I have seen some postings that refer to there being a ‘mom side’ and a ‘dad side’ in the search for Alison. There should not be any ‘sides’ in the search for Alison. These statements are hurtful and an unnecesary distraction from what truly matters: finding Alison ….

“I will continue to work with the police and the community to locate Alison while attempting to maintain her privacy as best as possible. Please remember that Alison is a child. I kindly ask that you do not speculate, attack, or post anything that does not assist in the effort to find her.”

The teen’s attorney, Emily Robinson, issued the following statement: “In May 2024, I was appointed as counsel for Alison Chao by the Superior Court of Los Angeles, in which the custody matter involving Alison is being adjudicated. My role as her court-appointed counsel is to recommend to the court what is in Alison’s best interests.

“We have an extremely competent judge who has thoroughly examined this case from inside out during the course of multiple court hearings that have occurred. 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.

“(This information is from the public record and does not represent a waiving of attorney/client privilege.)

“This is a very complex situation that should not be in the public forum. It is being rendered even more damaging to Alison by misleading and inaccurate social media posts from third parties that have virtually no understanding of the facts. Upon being made aware of these posts, I have reported them to the social media companies on which they are hosted in the hopes that the companies will quickly act and take them down due to the inaccuracies contained therein.

“The posts are rife with misrepresentations and false statements and hindered the investigation into Alison’s whereabouts and efforts by her family and the police to ensure her safe return.

“It is imperative that this third-party interference end immediately so that this young girl’s privacy is protected. The damage this is doing to her regaining any semblance of normalcy now that this is over cannot be overstated. The third-party posts from social media ‘influencers’ relating to this case have been absolutely irresponsible and replete with false statements.

“As Alison’s attorney, if you wish to help her, as you claim, you will stop posting about this matter.”

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