
Oakley Carlson was born on December 6th 2016 to Andrew Carlson and Jordan Bowers in Oakville, Washington. Carlson and Bowers relationship was tumultuous and marked by drug use, gambling and domestic violence which eventually led to the removal of Oakley and her siblings from their care in September 2017.

Oakley was quickly placed with Jamie-Jo and Erik Hiles and lived with them up until just before her third birthday. The Hiles planned to adopt Oakley and she thrived in their care, enjoying a safe and happy childhood. Oakley was smart, highly empathetic and loved people. She enjoyed telling jokes and making people laugh, often following up with “Waka Waka” like Fozzie bear from the muppets. She was also a big fan of Disney movies, books and dancing, she regularly accompanied Jamie-Jo to practice and liked to dance to the songs played and could often be found fast asleep surrounded by books.

Jamie-Jo and Erik cared deeply about Oakley’s wellbeing and repeatedly raised concerns about her safety during visits with her biological parents. After one such visit which was supervised in March 2019, Oakley returned with red marks or scratches on her face and an unchanged diaper, the supervisor could not explain how she had got the marks but Jamie-Jo was ignored when she highlighted this in a visit log to DCYF case worker Angela Fries. In September 2019, Jamie-Jo and Erik had their life turned upside down when they were informed that Oakley was going to be returned to the care of her parents in January 2020. They fought this decision continuously, expressing worries such as the unexplained scratching, how fast things were moving, Oakley having described witnessing domestic violence during a visit and neither parent having a job. All these concerns were shut down with case workers telling them that “she isn’t your daughter” being poor isn’t a reason for someone to not have their children” and “that Oakley loved her mom and dad”. November 29th 2019, Oakley was abruptly returned to the care of her parents, even earlier than previously planned. The Hiles begged DCYF not to take her and likened the experience of her being removed to that of a bereavement.the year following her return to her biological parents, the Hiles remained concerned about Oakley. In January 2021, Jamie-Jo was shown a photo originally taken on Christmas Day 2020 of Oakley where she appeared to have a black eye. She also heard rumours about Carlson being fired for drug use. When Jamie-Jo consulted with Elma police chief Susan Shultz she was advised to contact Washington DCYF and a sheriff in that jurisdictional area could be sent to Oakley’s home to conduct a wellness check. Jamie-Jo called to report what she knew and was talked to sternly by an intake worker who told her that because she hadn’t witnessed any incidents firsthand he presumed her information was incorrect, and warned her she could get in trouble for false reports, Jamie-Jo said she was a mandated reporter and very concerned about Oakley's safety. In February 2021, Washington DCYF opened a case and a caseworker was sent to check on Oakley and her siblings. However the case was closed without anyone actually seeing Oakley. In February 2021, Washington DCYF opened a case and a caseworker was sent to check on Oakley and her siblings. However the case was closed without anyone actually seeing Oakley. On November 6th 2021, Andrew Carlson calls dispatch just before 5pm to report a fire that had occurred around 10am that morning. He said his daughter Oakley had set fire to the couch with a cigarette lighter but that no response was needed and he had put the fire out himself. Bowers told others that Oakley had started the fire and her and Carlson fought it for hours by themselves. Throughout November 2021, local elementary school principal Jessica Swift, whose daughter was friends with Oakley’s sibling, began to get concerned about Oakley. She arrived several times at the residence to drop off supplies and each time did not manage to see Oakley. On December 4th, during a play date at her home with Oakley’s sibling, she asked where Oakley was and her sibling got very upset saying “Oakley is no more”. The following day, Swift asked the sibling again about Oakley and whether she lived with them and was told no. Swift became so concerned that on December 6th she requested a wellness check with the Grays Harbour County Sheriff’s Office. The following day, Swift asked the sibling again about Oakley and whether she lived with them and was told no. Swift became so concerned that on December 6th she requested a wellness check with the Grays Harbour County Sheriff’s Office. Swift became so concerned that on December 6th she requested a wellness check with the Grays Harbour County Sheriff’s Office.December 6th 2021 at 10am: Tumwater Police Department officers initiated a wellness check for Oakley. Her parents were interviewed at the Extended Stay America in Tumwater. After being confronted Carlson leaves the hotel and reports Oakley missing at 3:31pm on Thurston County’s non-emergency line, he states that he hasn’t seen Oakley since November 30th. During his statement to law enforcement Andrew also makes comments to the effect of Oakley being dead, or not coming back or a reunion”. That evening both Carlson and Bowers are booked into jail on suspicion of first degree manslaughter. The case as it stands today.