MONTEREY PARK, Calif. (TCN) — A father who reported his daughter missing and held a news conference after her return was arrested Friday on multiple charges, including child abduction.
The Monterey Park Police Department announced Friday, July 26, that Jeffrey Chao was taken into custody on suspicion of child abduction, conspiracy, and falsifying police report.
Chao’s 15-year-old daughter was reported missing to the Monterey Park Police Department on the evening of July 16. She reportedly left her house that day at around 5:30 p.m. and was seen on video footage riding her bike in El Sereno less than an hour later. Her family became concerned when she failed to show up to her aunt’s house that night.
The teen was found a week later on July 23 in Glendale. Chao spoke alongside his attorney at a news conference that day thanking the public for their help
A passerby in Glendale noticed the teen and recognized her from the missing persons ads. According to KABC-TV, the teen went to their studios and spoke with police there. The witness who called police after seeing her told KABC the teen was “very upset mostly about not being able to tell her story.”
The witness, identified only as Rachelle, told KABC, “What struck me immediately was how self-possessed she was. Sound of mind. Very articulate, very clear on what the situation was. She was very clear on ‘I’ve come to ABC to tell my story. No one else will listen to me.'”
Chao and his wife are reportedly going through a contentious divorce and custody battle. KABC reports the wife went to court on July 15, one day before their daughter went missing, and filed for a restraining order. The wife won full custody the next day.
The mother said in a statement that she believed Chao “coached” their daughter “to make false accusations against me and he continues to thwart and undermine my relationship” with her. She said she had a “close, loving relationship” with the victim prior to her separating from Chao.
The Monterey Park Police Department is continuing to investigate.