Biological Father of Missing Oakville Girl Makes Grays Harbor Superior Court Appearance

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Andrew Carlson, a prime suspect in the disappearance of his 5-year-old biological daughter Oakley Carlson, appeared via video call in Grays Harbor Superior Court on Monday, Sept. 26, in Montesano, for his review hearing for re-arraignment.

This was the third hearing in as many weeks for Carlson, who was released from jail on Aug. 3 following an eight-month-long sentence after pleading guilty to two felony charges of child endangerment, and failing to provide paperwork confirming his chemical dependency evaluation as per the requirement of his release.

Carlson was labeled a no-show for the first review hearing on Sept. 12 after failing to attend the scheduled court date prompting Judge Katherine L. Svoboda to issue a bench warrant set at $25,000 bail. However, the warrant was rescinded after prosecutors and Carlson’s defense attorney Johnathan Feste confirmed that Carlson was in a treatment program in Eastern Washington. Carlson was given an additional week to have all information filed correctly when the court convened for the second review hearing on Sept. 19.

Although Carlson’s certificate from treatment had been reviewed, confirming that he completed treatment on Aug. 31, 2022, Carlson did not provide Feste or the court with the evaluation and treatment plan as was required. Judge Svoboda, who was visibly displeased, began grilling into Carlson.

“Mr. Carlson, do you understand that you are under sentence for a felony and that you were ordered to provide your evaluation and treatment plan?” Judge Svoboda asked.

Carlson acknowledged Judge Svoboda’s question by attempting to explain he had given paperwork to his residential treatment representative; however, Judge Svoboda ruled that Carlson was not in compliance and mandated that Carson file the paperwork by 5 p.m. on Sept. 29 as well as appear in person at the courthouse at 9 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 3.

Judge Svoboda is also requiring the state to be ready to file a motion to show cause as to why Carlson shouldn’t be punished for violating the requirements of his release.

Oakley’s biological parents, Jordan Bowers and Carlson, claim they last saw her on Nov. 30, 2021, but the last time detectives with the Grays Harbor County Sheriff’s Office can definitively confirm Oakley was seen alive was nine months prior, on Feb. 10, 2021.



They have not cooperated with the investigation into Oakley’s disappearance or with efforts to find her.

Both were convicted on unrelated child endangerment concerning their other children earlier this year.

A reward fund for information leading to Oakley’s whereabouts had reached $80,000 as of early September.

The reward fund is managed by Light the Way Missing Persons Advocacy Project.

More information on Oakley’s case and opportunities to help with the search effort can be found at https://justiceforoakley.wixsite.com/home.

Anyone with information that could aid law enforcement in their search for Oakley is encouraged to contact the Grays Harbor Sheriff’s Office at 360-533-8765 or the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at 1-800-THE-LOST. To speak to a detective directly, contact Detective Sgt. Paul Logan at 360-964-1729 or email sodetectives@co.grays-harbor.wa.us.

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Information from The Chronicle’s archives was included in this report.