Vigil for Oakley

By Matthew N. Wells The Daily World • January 1, 2022 1:30 am
Matthew N. Wells | The Daily World Erik Hiles, the foster father of Oakley Carlson before she was reunited with Jordan Bowers and Andrew Carlson, said he and his wife Jamie Jo Hiles were blessed to have Oakley. The Hiles couple was seen Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021, at the Gathering for Oakley Carlson, which was held outside Grays Harbor County Courthouse.
Matthew N. Wells | The Daily World Erik Hiles, the foster father of Oakley Carlson before she was reunited with Jordan Bowers and Andrew Carlson, said he and his wife Jamie Jo Hiles were blessed to have Oakley. The Hiles couple was seen Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021, at the Gathering for Oakley Carlson, which was held outside Grays Harbor County Courthouse.

Oakley Carlson hasn’t been seen in nearly 11 months, but the will of those trying to find her hasn’t waned.

Cheri Roberts, who said she was Oakley’s foster grandmother from when she was 7 months old until she was 4 years old, said she won’t ever stop trying to find Oakley.

It appears a lot of people feel the same way.

On Thursday, Dec. 30, men, women and children showed up for the Gathering For Oakley Carlson, which took place in front of Grays Harbor County Courthouse. The courthouse was the scene of the first appearance court proceedings for Jordan Bowers, 32, and Andrew Carlson, 36, the parents of Oakley and her 6-year old sister.

About 100 people, most with signs, showed up to support the gathering, said Jordan Wolfe, a concerned person who facilitated the meeting because she just wants answers for Oakley’s disappearance.

“We’ve got a real good turnout here,” Wolfe said in a Snapchat video to those watching from home. “I appreciate all the bodies here. We’ve got a lot of media coverage.”

Oakley was reported missing on Dec. 6. But Grays Harbor Sheriff’s Office found she was last seen Feb. 10, 2021.

The group peaceably assembled at about 10:30 a.m. Thursday along the slush-filled sidewalk in front of the courthouse, where Bowers and Carlson soon appeared for a preliminary hearing in front of Superior Court Judge Katherine Svoboda. Bowers and Carlson each face one felony count of abandonment of a dependent person in the second degree.

The group’s coordinated “Oakley” chant rang throughout the bright blue sky that hovered over the courthouse. The group didn’t quit until a little before 12:30 p.m.

After Bowers’ and Carlson’s court appearances with Svoboda ended, via Zoom, some of the crowd left the front of the courthouse and walked around to the parking lot that sits right beside the Grays Harbor County Jail. There, they bellowed “Kids Don’t Just Disappear,” “Make Them Talk” and “We Love Oakley.”

In addition to chanting, there was a lot of anger inside the peaceful protest, because Oakley has not been found. Some talked about how the Carlson and Bowers were bad parents — to varying degrees — and some talked about how the system, from the Department of Children, Youth and Families, failed.

Wolfe said she made sure a lot of signs were made. She said she was expecting a bigger turnout, but some must not have shown up because of the snow.

The hope on Thursday was clear, that Oakley has to be found.

Jamie Jo Hiles and Erik Hiles, the Oakley’s foster parents until she was returned to Bowers and Carlson, are thankful to the Grays Harbor Sheriff’s Office for their efforts in searching for Oakley. They’re glad the search continues.

“They’re doing a great job, Jamie Jo Hiles said. “Very transparent.”

Bowers are Carlson are next scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 10 for an arraignment hearing. Each is being held on $150,000 bail at Grays Harbor County Jail.