July 30, 2024: District Attorney Gascón Announces Charges Against Father of Missing Girl in Monterey Park

Jeffery Chao is charged with child stealing/concealment and falsely reporting
his 15-year-old daughter as missing on July 16 in Monterey Park

MONTEREY PARK, CA - Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón announced today that Jeffery Chao has been charged with allegedly stealing/concealing his 15-year-old daughter and falsely filing an emergency report after he reported her missing on July 16 in the city of Monterey Park.

"Falsely reporting a child as missing not only violates the law but also diverts critical law enforcement resources away from other serious matters," District Attorney Gascón said. "This type of behavior will not be tolerated, and we will hold the responsible individual accountable for his actions."

Jeffery Chao (dob 9/13/83) is charged with one count of felony child stealing/concealment; and one misdemeanor count of false report of an emergency.

It is further alleged that the defendant induced others, including a minor, to participate in the commission of the offense of child stealing/concealment.

Chao is scheduled to be arraigned today in Dept. 30 of the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center.

On the evening of July 16, Chao allegedly stole/concealed his 15-year-old daughter and falsely reported her as missing to law enforcement. For seven days, several search parties focused on finding the missing girl. The victim was located on July 23 in the city of Glendale by the Glendale Police Department.

If convicted as charged, the defendant faces a maximum sentence of 5 years in state prison.

The case is being investigated by the Monterey Park Police Department.

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