Father Charged With Child Concealment in Monterey Park

Jeffery Chao, father of 15-year-old Alison Chao from Monterey Park, has been charged with child stealing and falsifying a police report after allegedly concealing his daughter and falsely claiming she was missing. Alison was reported missing on July 16 after leaving home on her bicycle to visit her aunt, but was found safe on July 23 outside a TV news station in Glendale. The Los Angeles County District Attorney stated that Chao's actions not only break the law but also waste law enforcement resources. If convicted, he could face up to five years in prison. The case is further complicated by ongoing divorce and custody disputes between Chao and Alison's mother, who claims he has led their daughter to make false accusations against her. Chao, who has denied any wrongdoing, was scheduled for arraignment soon after his arrest.