SEP 8, 2022
In a letter to the director of the state Office of the Family and Children’s Ombuds (OFCO), Gov. Jay Inslee called on the organization to review the Department of Children, Youth and Families’ (DCYF) handling of Oakley Carlson’s case.
www.q13fox.com
OFCO found that "the Department’s actions and conduct in this case were consistent with laws, policies, and court orders." OFCO did say that the investigation identified areas of improvement, specifically "to preserve and strengthen the parent-child bond when a child is removed from the home."
"Obviously, we are all concerned about that case, so I wanted to find out if there is anything amiss that had not been done correctly and according to this letter, it came back and reported that the department had acted in compliance with existing rules and regulations. It doesn't mean that we are still not concerned about the case but I’m pleased that we got that back," Inslee said at the news conference when asked about the letter.
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See full letter in the article)
SEP 9, 2022
A state agency responsible for investigating complaints against the Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) has determined the department properly handled missing 5-year-old Oakley …
chronline.com
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“Our investigation primarily focused on family reunification efforts, permanency planning, and (DCYF’s) response to any identified child safety risk or risk factors prior to and after Oakley was returned home,” reads a copy of the letter obtained by FOX 13.
“... Our investigation however identified opportunities to improve services to families, specifically to preserve and strengthen the parent-child bond when a child is removed from the home.” Dowd went on to state that parent-child visits are “critical” to “a successful family reunion” and said reunification planning “should not only focus on a parent’s successful compliance with services but should also address parent-child bonding and attachment issues.”
Oakley’s former foster mother, Jamie Jo Hiles, reportedly told FOX 13 she was “outraged” and had spoken to Dowd regarding the case, informing him she called Child Protective Services twice regarding concerns about Oakley and her biological parents, but believes no one followed up to check on Oakley and her siblings.
"Show integrity and transparency and release the investigation in full that proves no wrongdoing on behalf of not only DCYF, but Washington state as well. If that can’t be done, then I am AGAIN requesting an outside agency review of Oakley’s DCYF case that can be done with impartiality. We want justice for our little girl and to make sure that this tragedy never happens again," Hiles wrote in a statement to FOX 13 News.
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