A missing California teenager appeared outside a local news station begging to share her story one week after she disappeared.
Alison Jillian Chao, 15, vanished on July 16 after leaving from her father’s house in Monterey Park to bike the four miles to her aunt’s home in San Gabriel.
The straight-A student was spotted this past Tuesday walking towards the ABC7 TV studio in Glendale by a woman, Rachelle, who recognized her from the missing poster.
Rachelle said the teenager was desperately trying to talk to someone and shared a heartbreaking claim.
‘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.
Missing teen Alison Jillian Chao (center) was found outside a local news station begging to share her story one week after she disappeared
Chao, 15, vanished on July 16 as she biked four miles from her father’s house in Monterey Park to her aunt’s home in San Gabriel
‘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.’
Alison was last seen on surveillance footage in a haunting 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.
Rachelle followed the teen to ABC7 studios where they were met by the police. Footage outside the studio shows Alison wearing an outfit similar to what she was last seen in.
‘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.
The woman who found her, Rachelle (pictured), said the teenager was desperately trying to talk to someone and said ‘No one else will listen to me’
The teen was last seen in a haunting photo showing her riding her GT mountain bike wearing a purple t-shirt with black shorts and dark shoes
‘I hope her family comes together, can solve this for her, that the courts don’t fail her.’
Alison is now in the custody of the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services.
The teens parents, Annie and Jeffery Chao, are going through a divorce and Jeffery’s attorneys said the girls mother was granted physical custody of her on a temporary basis last week.
Alison’s aunt said she believes the high school student ran away because she did not want to be with her mother.
‘Alison is a young girl and her feelings about my divorce from her father are understandably complicated, but she has a family (both my side and her dad’s side) that loves and adores her,’ said Annie.
Alison’s aunt said she believes the high school student ran away because she did not want to be with her mother who was granted custody of her during the parents divorce
‘I will always do my best to protect Alison’s interests, no matter the circumstances and regardless of the stones that may be thrown at me.’
The family does not know where Alison spent the week she was missing.
Jeffery thanked the people who helped find her saying, ‘We’ve been really worried about where she’s been at and really appreciate what everybody’s done.’
Alison’s court appointed attorney, Emily Robinson, said the judges ruling is in Alison’s best interest.
‘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.’
