Oakley Carlson, an 8-year-old girl from Oakville, Washington, was last credibly seen on February 10, 2021, when she was just 4-years-old. Tragically, Oakley was not reported missing until ten months later, on December 6, 2021. In the month prior, a fire occurred at her family home, prompting concern from a school principal who had brought donated supplies to the family. Upon realizing Oakley was not present, the principal contacted authorities, leading to a welfare check. Oakley’s biological parents, Jordan Bowers and Andrew Carlson, were subsequently taken into custody but refused to provide any credible information about her whereabouts.

Bowers and Carlson were initially charged with first-degree manslaughter; however, due to insufficient evidence, the charges were later dismissed. They were then charged and convicted of two counts of child endangerment for exposing Oakley’s siblings to methamphetamine. On March 14, 2022, Carlson pleaded guilty and was sentenced to the maximum of twelve months in jail, though he was released after serving less than eight months on August 3, 2022. On April 22, 2022, Bowers also pleaded guilty and was sentenced to twenty months in prison. Upon her release on January 15, 2023, she was immediately taken into custody on unrelated identity theft charges. In July 2023, she accepted a plea deal and was sentenced to forty-three months in prison. Despite their convictions, neither parent has cooperated with authorities regarding Oakley’s disappearance and remain suspects.

Oakley spent much of her early life in foster care, from seven months old to nearly three years old, with her devoted foster parents, Jamie Jo and Erik Hiles. In their care, Oakley thrived in a loving and secure environment. The Hiles, along with concerned community members, repeatedly raised concerns about Oakley’s safety to the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (WA DCYF), both while she was in their care and after she was returned to her biological parents. Unfortunately, their concerns were disregarded by social worker Angela Fries and her supervisor Kathryn Eddy. This petition calls for an immediate independent agency review of Oakley Carlson’s WA DCYF case to address the department’s failures and demand accountability.

According to police reports and court documents, Oakley endured severe neglect and abuse while in the custody of Bowers and Carlson. She was reportedly starved, physically abused, and locked in a small cell as punishment. Between 2013 and 2021, WA DCYF received eleven reports concerning the Bowers/Carlson household, citing domestic violence, physical abuse, drug use, and medical neglect. Eight of these reports were investigated. In January 2021, a report detailed visible scratches and bruises on Oakley’s face, prompting an investigation; however, when Bowers and Carlson refused to cooperate, Oakley was inexplicably allowed to remain in their care. WA DCYF closed the case in March 2021. Notably, Oakley’s last known sighting was on February 10, 2021—meaning WA DCYF failed to confirm her safety before closing the investigation.

In November 2021, three separate reports were made to WA DCYF within two days. These reports detailed the fire at the family home, Bowers and Carlson’s failure to report the incident, and their continued residence in the unsafe structure despite warnings from an insurance agent. Shockingly, all three calls were screened out and ignored.

This blatant disregard for Oakley’s well-being raises serious questions about WA DCYF’s actions. Court documents reveal the following failures:

1. WA DCYF investigated the January 2021 report but allowed Oakley to remain with her biological parents despite their non-cooperation.
2. WA DCYF closed the case in March 2021 without verifying Oakley’s well-being.
3. Law enforcement determined Oakley was last seen on February 10, 2021.

Given this timeline, WA DCYF cannot confirm whether Oakley was even alive when they closed her case. Why would a state agency tasked with protecting vulnerable children fail to ensure Oakley’s safety before ending an open investigation?

Following public outcry, then-Governor Jay Inslee ordered an internal investigation into WA DCYF’s handling of Oakley’s case in May 2022. The investigation, led by Patrick Dowd, Director of the Office of Family and Children’s Ombuds (OFCO), concluded that WA DCYF’s actions were "consistent with laws, policies, and court orders." Dowd emphasized the importance of parent-child bonding in reunification but provided little transparency due to privacy laws.

This response is wholly inadequate. The investigation conducted by OFCO lacked impartiality and transparency. 

With Governor Inslee's departure from office, attention now turns to newly elected Governor Bob Ferguson. Governor Ferguson served as Attorney General when Oakley was discovered missing. During a weekly email and phone call campaign, Oakley's supporters reached out to him, urging him to call for a review of Oakley's WA DCYF case. At the time, Governor Ferguson’s office responded, stating that he could not assist and directed inquiries to Governor Inslee's office.

As Governor, Ferguson NOW has the opportunity to take decisive action for Oakley and the safety of all children in Washington state.

By signing this petition, I am urging Governor Ferguson to call for an immediate independent agency review of WA DCYF’s handling of Oakley Carlson’s case. Oakley deserved protection, and the failures that led to her disappearance must not be ignored.

To read the report released by OFCO, click here.

To review the timeline of Oakley Carlson's case, click here.