'Missing' California girl Alison Chao says she 'ran away' and vows' to 'tell story' after mysteriously vanishing

The 'missing' Alison Chao has appeared and apparently ran away from home . The grade A student, 15, was spotted on the morning of Tuesday, July 23, a whole week after she vanished.

The Monterey Park Police Department confirmed that Chao was safely found and expressed gratitude to the community "and the many local, state and federal partners for their assistance during the investigation."

Allison disappeared in Monterey Park last Tuesday after she set out on her blue GT mountain bike. CCTV footage caught Allison riding away from her father's house on North Ynez Avenue on the evening of July 16, heading for her aunt's place in San Gabriela.

• Californian straight-A student, 15, vanishes in Monterey Park while riding bike to aunt's house

Despite the short distance of less than four miles, Allison never reached her destination, and her absence has kick-started a massive search operation.

But on Tuesday morning, a KABC security guard in Glendale noticed the young girl walking, with a woman trailing her in a vehicle. The woman identified Alison as the missing youngster, according to ABC 7.

A 47-year-old lady from Glendale, who chose to remain anonymous, was grabbing a coffee when she saw Alison walking past her car, reports the Los Angeles Times.

"Something about the way she was walking, it didn't seem like she was going to someplace in particular," the woman remarked. "Some little voice said, 'I think that's the girl. You should follow her.'"

She recounted how she saw Alison walk by the KABC security guard and then quickly informed him. The woman shared with the LA Times that Alison confessed to her and the guard that she had run away and did not wish to return home.

Alison told the security guard she was heading to KABC to tell her story.

Speaking to KTLA previously, Allison's worried mum Annie Chao expressed her growing fear before he daughter was found.

She said: "The more time that goes on, the scarier it gets."

She also voiced her concerns about public attention saying, "I'm afraid the public will lose interest, and it will be harder to find her. There's less evidence."

In a heart-wrenching statement, Ms. Chao said, "I haven't slept in days, and it's just every parent's worst nightmare."