Missing 15-year-old Monterey Park girl found safe outside ABC7

A 15-year-old girl who went missing in Monterey Park last week was found safe Tuesday morning outside ABC7's office in Glendale.

Alison Jillian Chao was reported missing the afternoon of Tuesday, July 16.

According to a security guard at ABC7, the girl was walking and had been followed by someone in a car who recognized her as a missing minor and called police.

The Monterey Park Police Department, who is handling the investigation, released a statement, saying, it "extends its appreciation to community members and the many local, state and federal partners for their assistance during the investigation."

Chao reportedly left her home on a bike last week around 5:30 p.m. She was headed to her aunt's home in San Gabriel but never arrived.

The girl's father, Jeffery Chao, and her aunt held a press conference in the afternoon to express their appreciation to the public for their help searching for Alison. The family's attorney said they were limited in being able to answer questions about her situation because of pending litigation.

The family confirmed that Alison's mother was recently granted custody of her on a temporary basis. Her aunt said she believes Alison ran away because she did not want to be with her mother.

The family still isn't sure where she spent the last week.

"I really appreciate everyone coming out," said Alison's father, Jeffery Chao. "I'd really like to thank all the friends, the community that come out and helped find her. We've been really worried about where she's been. And really appreciate what everybody's done and helped out with."

The Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services said it is bound by state confidentiality laws to not discuss whether it has had any contact or involvement with Alison and her family.

Alison's mother told Eyewitness News she would provide a statement later Tuesday.