Evil Parents: The Disappearance Of Oakley Carlson
Episode 124, Aug 11, 2023, 11:00 AM
A cloud of mystery and suspicion surrounds the case of Oakley Carlson, a 6-year-old girl from Oakville, Washington, who has not been seen since early 2021. As more details about her family's life come to light, serious concerns about the child's safety have intensified.
Oakley Carlson's "last credible sighting" occurred on February 10, 2021. However, her parents, Andrew Carlson and Jordan Bowers, reported to the Grays County Sheriff’s Office that their last encounter with Oakley was much later, on November 30, 2021. By December of that year, she was reported missing. Officials handling the case have labeled her disappearance and the associated details as "suspicious."
Diving deeper, the Grays County Sheriff’s Office has termed the nature of Oakley’s disappearance as "criminal." In the ongoing investigation, both Bowers and Carlson have emerged as the primary persons of interest. Their history presents several troubling allegations.
Among the chief concerns is an alarming claim that Bowers and Carlson allegedly deprived Oakley's sibling of essential medicine for an extended period, around 15 months. According to the Sheriff’s Office, this medicine was imperative for the child's physical well-being, and the lack thereof put her at significant risk, even possibly leading to a fatal outcome.
The recent publication of an opinion by the Washington State Court of Appeals on August 1 has further spotlighted the couple's questionable history with their children. This release followed after the Grays Harbor County Sheriff’s Office sought the court's permission to access juvenile records connected to Bowers and Carlson's offspring.
The court document revealed that since April 2013, the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) has undertaken 11 in-depth investigations into the family. This included eight distinct cases that involved allegations ranging from domestic violence to drug use, abuse, and significant medical neglect.
One particular concern involved Oakley’s sibling, referred to as DC in court documents, who suffers from a rare genetic syndrome resulting in a developmental disability. This condition necessitates daily injections for the child. Past accusations pointed towards Bowers' untreated mental health issues and a neglect to seek services for the child back in June 2017. Despite initial probes by the DCYF, there was no extended investigation as the intake was "screened out."
Matters became more alarming a month later when another report surfaced, alleging the lack of medicine for DC, coupled with allegations of domestic violence and methamphetamine use within the home. Following these revelations, Oakley and DC were separated and put under different care, while another sibling was placed under the custody of his biological father.
In a concerning development from January 2021, officials received inputs about visible scratches and bruises on Oakley's face. When questioned, Bowers and Carlson demonstrated a blatant lack of cooperation. Furthermore, prior to Oakley's disappearance, Bowers reportedly informed Oakley’s school about a fire at their residence, which she alleged Oakley started. Upon school authorities visiting Oakley’s residence, the child was conspicuously absent.
The parents' narrative has been inconsistent. They have suggested that they simply "lost track" of Oakley, with Carlson eventually reporting her missing in December. Contradicting their account, Oakley’s grandfather claimed he hadn't seen the child since Christmas 2020. Following these murky claims, both Carlson and Bowers were apprehended for obstruction.
Disturbing insights from DC highlighted the severity of the situation. DC disclosed to authorities that Oakley had ignited the house fire using her mother’s torch and was subsequently subjected to physical abuse as punishment. DC's testimony further indicated potential locations for Oakley, suggesting she might have been "under her mother’s bed or in the woods." Furthermore, she voiced fears for Oakley and another sibling, JC, strongly implying they were "not safe in their mother’s care."
Another sibling, referred to as BB-P in legal documents, backed up these claims, suggesting a history of abuse by Bowers towards Oakley and JC. A particularly chilling revelation indicated that Oakley was occasionally confined in a locked 'cell' beneath the staircase.
In an unrelated development, KCPQ-TV confirmed that Bowers was sentenced on August 7 in a separate identity theft case, which has no links to her daughter’s puzzling disappearance.
With layers of complexity, this case is a chilling reminder of the often-unseen troubles lurking beneath the surface in many households. As investigations continue, the primary hope remains the safe discovery and return of Oakley Carlson.
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The latest on Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Justice for Harmony Montgomery, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com
Oakley Carlson's "last credible sighting" occurred on February 10, 2021. However, her parents, Andrew Carlson and Jordan Bowers, reported to the Grays County Sheriff’s Office that their last encounter with Oakley was much later, on November 30, 2021. By December of that year, she was reported missing. Officials handling the case have labeled her disappearance and the associated details as "suspicious."
Diving deeper, the Grays County Sheriff’s Office has termed the nature of Oakley’s disappearance as "criminal." In the ongoing investigation, both Bowers and Carlson have emerged as the primary persons of interest. Their history presents several troubling allegations.
Among the chief concerns is an alarming claim that Bowers and Carlson allegedly deprived Oakley's sibling of essential medicine for an extended period, around 15 months. According to the Sheriff’s Office, this medicine was imperative for the child's physical well-being, and the lack thereof put her at significant risk, even possibly leading to a fatal outcome.
The recent publication of an opinion by the Washington State Court of Appeals on August 1 has further spotlighted the couple's questionable history with their children. This release followed after the Grays Harbor County Sheriff’s Office sought the court's permission to access juvenile records connected to Bowers and Carlson's offspring.
The court document revealed that since April 2013, the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) has undertaken 11 in-depth investigations into the family. This included eight distinct cases that involved allegations ranging from domestic violence to drug use, abuse, and significant medical neglect.
One particular concern involved Oakley’s sibling, referred to as DC in court documents, who suffers from a rare genetic syndrome resulting in a developmental disability. This condition necessitates daily injections for the child. Past accusations pointed towards Bowers' untreated mental health issues and a neglect to seek services for the child back in June 2017. Despite initial probes by the DCYF, there was no extended investigation as the intake was "screened out."
Matters became more alarming a month later when another report surfaced, alleging the lack of medicine for DC, coupled with allegations of domestic violence and methamphetamine use within the home. Following these revelations, Oakley and DC were separated and put under different care, while another sibling was placed under the custody of his biological father.
In a concerning development from January 2021, officials received inputs about visible scratches and bruises on Oakley's face. When questioned, Bowers and Carlson demonstrated a blatant lack of cooperation. Furthermore, prior to Oakley's disappearance, Bowers reportedly informed Oakley’s school about a fire at their residence, which she alleged Oakley started. Upon school authorities visiting Oakley’s residence, the child was conspicuously absent.
The parents' narrative has been inconsistent. They have suggested that they simply "lost track" of Oakley, with Carlson eventually reporting her missing in December. Contradicting their account, Oakley’s grandfather claimed he hadn't seen the child since Christmas 2020. Following these murky claims, both Carlson and Bowers were apprehended for obstruction.
Disturbing insights from DC highlighted the severity of the situation. DC disclosed to authorities that Oakley had ignited the house fire using her mother’s torch and was subsequently subjected to physical abuse as punishment. DC's testimony further indicated potential locations for Oakley, suggesting she might have been "under her mother’s bed or in the woods." Furthermore, she voiced fears for Oakley and another sibling, JC, strongly implying they were "not safe in their mother’s care."
Another sibling, referred to as BB-P in legal documents, backed up these claims, suggesting a history of abuse by Bowers towards Oakley and JC. A particularly chilling revelation indicated that Oakley was occasionally confined in a locked 'cell' beneath the staircase.
In an unrelated development, KCPQ-TV confirmed that Bowers was sentenced on August 7 in a separate identity theft case, which has no links to her daughter’s puzzling disappearance.
With layers of complexity, this case is a chilling reminder of the often-unseen troubles lurking beneath the surface in many households. As investigations continue, the primary hope remains the safe discovery and return of Oakley Carlson.
Want to listen to ALL of our podcasts AD-FREE? Subscribe through APPLE PODCASTS, and try it for three days free: https://tinyurl.com/ycw626tj
Follow Our Other Cases: https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com
The latest on Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Justice for Harmony Montgomery, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com