OAKVILLE, Wash | 5-year-old Oakley Carlson has been missing since last February after state courts with guidance from DCYF, ordered that Oakley be returned to her biological parents. Both parents remain in custody for charges unrelated to Oakley’s disappearance.
Jamie Jo Hiles who was Oakley Carlson’s foster mother, joined the Twitter community on Spaces. She told us that she and her husband Erik raised Oakley from the age of 7 months to just before Oakley turned 3-years-old. Oakley was removed from her foster home and returned to her biological parents in November 2019, to Andrew Carlson and Jordan Bowers.
“For me, thinking about what Oakley went through every day is incredibly heavy, and weighs on me emotionally.”
Jamie Jo Hiles
Oakley’s biological parents, Jordan Bowers and Andrew Carlson, are currently in jail on charges of reckless abandonment of a child and reckless endangerment with drugs.
December 6, 2021 the Tumwater Police Department initiated a welfare check after receiving a call from a concerned citizen. It is reported that the parents state they last saw Oakley November 30, 2021, but February 10, 2021 is the last time that Grays Harbor County Sheriff’s Office can confirm Oakley was seen alive.
Bowers and Carlson were initially arrested on suspicion of manslaughter on Dec. 6. After the couple was booked into the jail, Oakley’s sister’s temporary foster parents asked law enforcement about a medication prescribed to the 6-year-old, and Corrections Deputy Lee Saline asked Bowers where the 6-year-old’s medication was.
A court readiness hearing for Jordan Bowers is tentatively set for April 11, the trial is set for April 19, while Andrew Carlson has made a plea deal, his sentencing is set for March 28.
Carlson pleaded guilty to two counts of endangerment with a controlled substance on March 14 and has a sentencing hearing scheduled for 9 a.m. on Monday, March 28. His initial second-degree abandonment of a dependent person charge has been dismissed.
Bowers’ four-day jury trial is scheduled to begin on April 19. In addition to the second-degree abandonment of a dependent person charge, Bowers faces two counts of endangerment with a controlled substance for allegedly exposing her 6-year-old daughter and 2-year-old son to methamphetamine.
Police searched the home of Oakley’s biological parents, however, it’s unclear if they searched the property of the family with land adjacent to Andrew Carlson. The investigation has widened to area towns in Washington state, and beyond to find Oakley Carlson.
“I believe they live on 312 acres, and then Andrew’s parents own more acreage.”
Jamie Jo Hiles
Anyone with information about Oakley’s disappearance is asked to contact the Grays Harbor County Sheriff’s Office non-emergency number at 360-533-8765 or contact Detective Sgt. Paul Logan at 360-964-1729 or by email at [email protected]
Jamie and Erik Hiles work daily on child advocacy, working to find answers and to impact legislation for future families in Foster Care. Their work has generated a movement that continues to grow, while Jamie holds on to memories of the garden Oakley would grow each year.
“If I had a flower for every time I thought of you, I would walk in my garden forever.”
Jamie Jo Hiles
About the Author
Oakley was taken from the arms of angels and placed back in the hands of monsters. She was such a happy, bright little girl. I’m so grateful to Jamie Jo and Erik – without them I don’t think Oakley would have ever known love.
Oakley had an amazing home with the Hiles. She knew what love felt like for the first time in her young life. She deserved to live out her life with the Hiles who she loved and loved her. Let’s bring Oakley home.