5-Year-Old Washington Girl Missing Under 'Suspicious' Circumstances; Parents Arrested

Police in Washington have arrested the parents of a 5-year-old girl who went missing under "suspicious" circumstances.

Law enforcement officers are asking for the public’s help in finding the missing child.

Oakley Carlson was reported missing after someone asked law enforcement officers to run a welfare check on the child on Monday. When the responding officers asked where the child was, Oakley’s parents could not explain her absence, KING 5 reported.

Police have not been able to establish when Oakley was last seen.

Oakley's parents – Jordan Bowers, 32, and Andrew Carlson, 36, – were considered as persons of interest in the case, the Grays Harbor Sheriff's Office said.

The couple was arrested Monday on suspicion of manslaughter. The parents have reportedly been uncooperative with the investigation and are being held at the Grays Harbor County Jail, the Sheriff's office said on Facebook.

"Based on the unusual circumstances of the missing child, not knowing her whereabouts and no one has seen her in several days and no one knows her condition, we felt that is in the best interest of the case," Grays Harbor Undersheriff Brad Johansson told KOMO News.

Deputies and FBI agents searched the 300-acre property where Oakley lived. Neighbors reportedly spotted cadaver dogs around the home. Divers are scheduled to conduct a search in flooded areas of the property Thursday, police said.

"You can't see a little girl like Oakley and not be emotionally involved in the case," said Johansson. "We're really concerned for her safety and her well-being and we just don’t know what that is at this point. We are definitely hoping and praying for the best outcome, but realistically we’re ready and fearing the worst as well."

The experience has been particularly harrowing for Oakley’s foster parents, Erik and Jamie Jo Hiles, who consider the child as their own.

"That’s what’s so heartbreaking, we wanted to give her the absolute best life," Jamie Jo said, KEPR reported. "Loading her into that car two years ago felt like a death to us then, we have grieved and have been so sad at the loss of her. I never want anything to happen to her. But I have to prepare myself that something could have happened to her."

The foster parents said they had previously raised concerns about Oakley and her siblings' safety with the Washington State Department of Children, Youth and Families but no action followed. Neighbors claimed they called 911 on several occasions after hearing Bowers and Carlson fight.

Police are urging anyone with information about Oakley to call the dispatch non-emergency number 360-533-8765. They can also reach out to Detective Sgt. Paul Logan at 360-964-1729 or by email sodetectives@co.grays-harbor.wa.us.