Woman who found missing teen Alison Chao says 'self-possessed' teen was determined to be heard in emotional encounter

A woman who found a missing teenage girl in Glendale, California , has said that she was struck by the emotional encounter where the girl explained she was ‘deeply unheard.’

15-year-old Alison Chao was missing for over a week after she disappeared during a bike ride to her aunt’s house. Her family and the Glendale Police Department appealed to the public for information about Alison’s whereabouts. However, it was later discovered that no foul-play was involved, and Alison had not gone missing, but run away.

A 47-year-old woman named Rachelle had seen the missing person posters and while picking up coffee on Tuesday, spotted a girl who she believed was Alison. She told the LA Times, “Something about the way she was walking, it didn’t seem like she was going to someplace in particular. Some little voice said, ‘I think that’s the girl. You should follow her.’”

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Alison, accompanied by Rachelle, arrived at the ABC7 Studios, where they were met by the Glendale Police.

"What struck me immediately was how self-possessed she was. Sound of mind. Very articulate, very clear on what the situation was," Rachelle said. "She was very clear on 'I've come to ABC to tell my story. No one else will listen to me.'"

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After it was established that Alison was physically unharmed, her mother, Annie Chao, released a statement Tuesday that said in part: "Alison is a young girl and her feelings about my divorce from her father are understandably complicated, but she has a family (both my side and her dad's side) that loves and adores her. I will always do my best to protect Alison's interests, no matter the circumstances and regardless of the stones that may be thrown at me."

At a news conference, Alison’s aunt said she believes the teen ran away because she did not want to live with her mother. According to Alison’s father’s attorneys, Annie Chao was granted physical custody of Alison on a temporary basis last week. According to Eyewitness News, Alison is currently in DCFS custody.

Rachelle, who is a mother, told ABC7 that she believes Alison feels unheard.

"I can only tell you that this is someone who's three years short of adulthood, who believes that she's deeply unheard, and that she has no avenue for adjudication," she said. "I hope her family comes together, can solve this for her, that the courts don't fail her."

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