Missing 15-year-old girl from Monterey Park is found safe, police say

A missing Monterey Park teen was located safely Tuesday morning, ending a weeklong search for the teen by authorities, family members and loved ones.

Alison Jillian Chao, who was reported missing July 16, was found with the assistance of the Glendale Police Department, according to the Monterey Park Police Department.

Officials didn’t specify how or where she was found, or the exact circumstances behind her disappearance.

The department said it “extends its appreciation to community members and the many local, state and federal partners for their assistance during the investigation,” according to a news release.

Here’s everything to know about the investigation.

Where did she go missing and when was she last seen?

Alison left her home in the 200 block of North Ynez Avenue in Monterey Park at 5:32 p.m. July 16. The Monterey Park Police Department initiated a missing person investigation at 9:36 p.m., according to a department news release.

Video footage showed her last known location in the 4400 block of Collis Avenue in El Sereno around 6:23 p.m., police said.

Where was she going and what does she look like?

Alison was riding a blue mountain bike to her aunt’s house in nearby San Gabriel, her family told KTLA.

The trip should have taken 20 minutes but Alison’s aunt called her father around 8 p.m. to let him know she never arrived.

She was last seen wearing a purple T-shirt, black shorts, dark shoes and carrying a black backpack.

What has her family said?

Alison’s mom, Annie Chao, released a statement on Instagram Monday asking the public to continue searching for footage of the area near where Alison disappeared to share with Monterey Park Police.

Chao learned about her daughter’s disappearance from police after Alison’s father reported her missing. Alison was supposed to be brought to Chao’s home Wednesday morning.

“I will continue to work with the police and the community to locate Alison while attempting to maintain her privacy as best as possible,” Chao wrote. “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.”

What have police said?

Monterey Park Police told KTLA they were working with Alison’s family, interviewing potential witnesses and reviewing surveillance footage.

They have paused to investigate tips they’ve received since Alison’s family asked for the public’s help finding her.