MONTEREY
PARK, Calif., July 26,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The following is a statement
from Annie Chao, mother of Alison
Chao, provided by the Law Offices of Gregory E. Almas:
We had intended to keep this a private matter for Alison's
protection but because of the continued spread of misinformation,
we are now making a statement to set forth the facts in this case.
To be clear, this information is all in the public record, so we
are not divulging anything that is not already publicly
available.
The misinformation being spread like wildfire via social media
and even on flyers being posted at Alison's school has led to
threats of physical violence against me and multiple people. This
has got to stop.
As to the facts: On March 10,
2023, I separated from Jeffery
Chao. For approximately the next month, Jeffery and Alison
tried to have me return home.
Jeff aggressively tried to reconcile with me for the next month.
I could not reconcile due to the reasons made clear in my
declaration filed with the court. I requested to share custody with
Jeff. After I filed for divorce, this is when the false accusations
began.
I had been advocating for Alison to ensure she received what a
child her age should have; at a minimum a yearly physical checkup,
6-month checkups with the dentist, and going back to school in
person to be around kids her own age to be able to socialize
normally. These were contentious issues for Jeffery. To this day,
she does not attend school in person.
The false accusations of abuse that materialized later caused me
and my father to be arrested. We were arrested based on Jeff and
Alison's verbal accusations. Charges were never filed.
In juvenile dependency court, a 15 day trial was held where
numerous witnesses testified. After the trial, the court determined
that none of the accusations were credible. The court denied Jeff's
request for a domestic violence restraining order.
The court also dismissed the juvenile dependency petition and
returned the custody and visitation issues to the family court.
I believe that Jeff coached Alison to make false accusations
against me and he continues to thwart and undermine my relationship
with Alison. Before our separation, I had a close loving
relationship with Alison.
During our marriage, Jeff was extremely controlling and
attempted to isolate both Alison and me. Jeff controlled me by
making threats that he would hurt himself or my family if I ever
left him.
My father and I never abused Alison and I never abused Jeff. My
father is a wonderful man and I'm proud he is my father.
I love Alison and have only ever wanted the best for her. Since
the juvenile dependency court determined that the accusations were
not credible, I have sought to restore my relationship with
Alison.
I want the public to know that we lived with Jeff's mother for
over 10 years before separating. After we separated, even Jeff's
mother testified under oath that I had a "normal" relationship with
Alison and she never observed any abuse by me towards either Jeff
or Alison.
I am aware that Jeff is currently fundraising through a GoFundMe
page. On May 1, 2024, the family
court determined that it is Jeff who is the financially superior
party between us and ordered him to make a contribution towards my
attorney fees and costs.
There remain many open questions about Alison's disappearance.
We still do not know where she was during the period of time she
was missing, or whether someone was concealing her. I do not have
and have never had any information about her whereabouts during her
disappearance.
It is very important that the community continue to provide any
tips or information to the Monterey
Park police department. I have continued to fully cooperate
with the police, and I ask that they continue to investigate the
circumstances surrounding Alison's disappearance.
I want the public to know that my family and I are good, decent
people, and worthy of your trust. The misleading statements about
us that have appeared on social media this week have been
incredibly hurtful, unwarranted, and fueled by a small number of
"influencers" who do not have the full knowledge of my relationship
with Alison or Jeff or of our home life prior to my filing for
divorce.
They have made defamatory statements and attempted to portray me
and my family in a false light. Despite requests to stop
posting comments about my family and me, they have continued to
spread misleading information.
Again, thank you to those who helped search for Alison and who
have continued to support me and my family during this very
difficult time.
Sincerely,
Annie Chao
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SOURCE Law Offices of Gregory E.
Almas