Washington Review Finds DCYF Missed Key Alerts Before Oakley Carlson’s 2021 Disappearance
Updated (2 articles)
State Review Details Systemic Gaps Preceding Disappearance A Washington State Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) committee released a public report on Feb. 20, 2026 outlining 14 intake reports about Oakley Carlson’s family, of which only eight met the legal threshold for investigation [1]. The report identifies systemic gaps that existed before her disappearance on Feb. 10, 2021 [1]. It emphasizes that missed interventions allowed the case to remain open without substantive action [1].
Injury Reports and Calls Indicated Abuse Weeks Prior Two weeks before Oakley was last seen, a caller reported she had facial scratches, bruising near her eye, and that screaming was heard near the home around Christmas [1]. These injury reports suggest potential abuse shortly before her vanishing [1]. The report notes the timing of these alerts relative to the February disappearance [1].
Final DCYF Contact Occurred Through Sliding Door Observation When Oakley’s mother barred a caseworker from entering the home, the worker observed the child through a sliding glass door, noted no visible injuries, and left the premises [1]. This observation constituted the last DCYF interaction with Oakley before she disappeared [1]. The report criticizes the limited scope of that final contact [1].
Foster Mother Criticizes Case Closure and Calls for Reform Jamie Jo Hiles, who cared for Oakley from seven months to nearly three years old, said the report “cements everything that I’ve known” and condemned the decision to close the case after the brief observation [1]. Hiles expressed frustration with DCYF’s handling and urged agency reforms [1]. Her testimony highlights concerns from caregivers about systemic failures [1].
Parents Remain Persons of Interest After Dismissed Charges Oakley’s biological parents, Jordan Bowers and Andrew Carlson, faced first‑degree manslaughter charges that were dismissed for lack of evidence [1]. They were later convicted of endangerment involving a controlled substance with other children, released, and continue to be persons of interest [1]. Oakley’s body remains unrecovered [1].
Authorities Continue Public Appeal and Push for DCYF Changes Investigators ask anyone with information to contact the Grays Harbor County Sheriff’s Office [1]. Hiles urges DCYF to implement changes to better protect children [1]. The appeal underscores ongoing concerns about the agency’s response to the case [1].
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Timeline
2020 – A medical provider flags neglect of five‑year‑old Soo Jin Hahn to Washington’s Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF), creating the first documented warning about her safety[2].
Dec 2020 (Christmas) – A caller reports that Oakley Carlson has facial scratches, bruising near her eye, and that screaming is heard near her home, indicating possible abuse just weeks before she vanishes[1].
Feb 10, 2021 – Oakley Carlson disappears from Grays Harbor County after a caseworker’s last contact, observing her through a sliding glass door and noting no visible injuries before leaving the home[1].
2022 – A teacher reports a three‑inch bruise on Soo Jin, prompting another DCYF notification that the child may be suffering severe abuse[2].
Aug 2023 – A relative sees a large welt on Soo Jin and alerts authorities, yet DCYF does not remove her from her father’s custody[2].
Jan 2025 – A school counselor hears accounts of stick‑beatings inflicted on Soo Jin, adding to a growing pattern of reported maltreatment[2].
Apr 2025 – A CPS caseworker observes a facial bruise on Soo Jin during a home visit, but closes the case as “safe” without ordering a full medical examination[2].
May 2025 – Police answer a 911 call from father Woo Jin Hahn reporting his daughter stopped breathing; officers find Soo Jin unresponsive with multiple bruises, and she later dies at the hospital from circulatory collapse, dehydration, and at least 52 blunt‑force injuries[2].
Oct 2025 – The Hahn family files a tort claim alleging DCYF negligence, laying the legal groundwork for a later lawsuit[2].
Feb 3, 2026 – A relative files a lawsuit in King County Superior Court accusing DCYF of ignoring repeated abuse reports and failing to protect Soo Jin, citing the October 2025 tort claim as a precursor[2].
Feb 20, 2026 – A DCYF review report exposes missed interventions in Oakley Carlson’s case, noting 14 intake reports but only eight met the legal threshold for investigation; foster mother Jamie Jo Hiles says the report “cements everything that I’ve known,” and calls for agency reforms while investigators continue to seek public tips[1].