With the July 25 prison release of Jordan Bowers, the biological mother of missing child Oakley Carlson and one of two primary suspects in her disappearance, Oakley’s foster family and national advocates are launching a series of high-visibility awareness campaigns to demand justice and accountability.
The initiative, led by Light The Way Missing Persons Advocacy Project and The Gabby Petito Foundation, includes 13 digital billboards across Washington, a renewed petition to the governor and a 25-day social media series titled “25 Truths About Jordan Bowers” on Instagram, Facebook and X (formerly Twitter). Bowers’ release from prison comes on unrelated charges after she was questioned extensively about Oakley’s disappearance more than three years ago.
The goal of the campaign is to keep Oakley’s name front and center and to remind the public and officials that her case remains unresolved, according to a news release from Light The Way Missing Persons Advocacy Project.
The billboards, donated by longtime partners Parker Outdoor Inc. and Pacific Outdoor Advertising, feature Oakley’s smiling face alongside an age-progression image of what she might look like today. The release stated that they serve as both a memorial and a call to action, drawing attention to systemic failures within Washington’s child protection services that allowed Oakley to be returned to a dangerous environment.
“I’m incredibly grateful to those who continue to shine a light on Oakley’s story, including Parker Outdoor Inc. and Pacific Outdoor Advertising. Their support means the world to us. With Jordan Bowers’ release from prison, I can only hope she has taken time to truly reflect on the gravity — and finality — of what happened to Oakley, and that she will now come forward and cooperate with investigators to tell the truth,” said Jamie Jo Hiles, Oakley’s foster mother.
“At the same time, it has been deeply frustrating to feel ignored by the governor’s office. Despite repeated requests for an independent investigation into how Oakley’s case was handled by Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (WA DCYF), we have received no support. We are not just asking for answers — we are demanding accountability so that no other child suffers the same fate as Oakley."
To further build momentum, Light The Way is seeking 1,200 more signatures to reach its goal of 10,000 on a petition urging Gov. Bob Ferguson to review the DCYF’s handling of Oakley’s case.
To view and sign the petition, visit shorturl.at/t0N5b.
"This campaign represents a call for transparency, accountability and change,” said Shayna Richard, Founder of Light The Way Missing Persons Advocacy Project and credentialed victim advocate for Oakley Carlson. “We must take meaningful action to ensure that no other child is failed by the very systems designed to protect them.”
The investigation into the disappearance of Oakley, an Oakville girl who was last seen in February 2021, was officially three years old as of last December.
To mark the third anniversary of the investigation, and Oakley’s eighth birthday, which was Dec. 6, the Grays Harbor Sheriff’s Office issued a statement renewing the call for information on Oakley’s disappearance.
“This case is still actively being investigated. We ask anyone with any information about the whereabouts of Oakley Carlson, or the activities of Jordan Bowers and Andrew Carlson prior to Oakley's disappearance, to please contact the Grays Harbor County Sheriff's Office at 360-249-3711 or sodetectives@graysharbor.us,” Grays Harbor Sheriff’s Office Chief of Special Services Paul Logan said in a Facebook post last year.
Oakley was 5 years old at the time she disappeared.
Grays Harbor County Sheriff’s Office detectives responded to Oakville to conduct a welfare check on Oakley after the principal of the elementary school one of Oakley’s siblings attended reported concerns the day prior.
“Oakley was not at the home, and no credible information as to her location was provided by her biological parents. It was discovered during the investigation that the last time Oakley had been seen by anyone outside of the home was on February 10th of that year, approximately 10 months prior,” Logan said in a Facebook post.
“Since that time, detectives, with the assistance of multiple local, state and federal agencies have continued to search for Oakley, and investigate her disappearance.”
The case has since been featured on episodes of crime podcasts, TV shows and magazines.
A $100,000 reward for information leading to Oakley’s whereabouts formally expired last year.
In lieu of the reward not being claimed or extended, the funds would then be used at the discretion of Oakley’s former foster parents, Jamie Jo and Erik Hiles. Examples of possible uses include a funeral service and headstone if necessary, a college fund, a scholarship in Oakley’s name, or a trust fund for Oakley’s siblings.
More information on Oakley’s case and opportunities to help with the search effort can be found at https://justiceforoakley.wixsite.com/home.
