Oakley Carlson deserves justice

I was encouraged to read that a decision has been made in the Oakley Carslon case that may finally bring her biological (bio)parents to justice (The Daily World, Oct. 9).

After reading the accounts of Oakley’s life and disappearance, as well as the actions of her bio-parents (Jordan Bowers and Andrew Carlson), it seems clear to me that they did something heinous to that little girl … or maybe they did nothing at all, which may have also led to her death.

Whatever they did, it ended her life.

A webpage has been created to bring justice for Oakley that includes a timeline of the circumstances leading to Oakley’s disappearance. There is a link to pictures of a fire which seriously damaged their home. A fire that they claim Oakley lit, but I’m guessing that they lit the fire to cover up evidence of Oakley’s death.

Oakley could have turned a door knob and walked out of the house but she couldn’t care for herself and her parents “apparently” hadn’t seen her for five days and didn’t report it. They were staying in a motel room in Tumwater when law enforcement contacted them. Where was four-year-old Oakley supposed to be? Home eating Fruit Loops by herself for five days.

I know that law enforcement has to build a case and they need applicable laws on the books to charge the offenders if they want a conviction. If there aren’t appropriate laws now, there needs to be.

Carlson and Bowers should at least be charged with “gross negligence of the nth degree,” which should carry a sentence as severe as manslaughter. I would also like to see the mother of Sky Metalwala who mysteriously disappeared in 2011 charged with the same thing. I think it is likely that Oakley’s parents will be charged with something regarding her disappearance and death. Maybe law enforcement will strike a deal to encourage one of them to talk. We can only hope they’ll talk.

Every time a see a poster of Oakley Carlson I am angry that those bio-parents are walking free with no consequences. I understand that without evidence of Oakley’s murder it’s difficult to make a solid case against them, but I believe the evidence is actually no evidence at all.

There was a little girl named Oakley — and, as her sister said — “Oakley is no more”

Elaine Rydman

Aberdeen