Mother charged after reportedly giving missing child to man during drug exchange

Police in Oklahoma last week filed criminal charges against a woman who reportedly gave her 2-year-old daughter to a man she bought drugs from nearly three years ago.

The child, who would be age 5 today, has not been seen since, law enforcement said.

Ashley Rowland, 39, is charged with child abandonment in connection with the 2022 disappearance of her toddler, according to court papers filed in Oklahoma County criminal court.

Rowland, who lives in Moore, was arrested after a probable cause affidavit was filed in the case on Nov. 1, a court clerk confirmed to USA TODAY on Wednesday.

Moore is a city in Cleveland County, part of the Oklahoma City metropolitan area, just south of the county where she was charged in the case.

What happened to Ashley Rowland's 2-year-old daughter?

According to an affidavit obtained by local media outlets including KOCO, the Oklahoma Department of Human Services in April 2023 was asked to take custody of the child, but could not locate her.

When DHS officials contacted Rowland, they said she told them "her daughter was with her father in Georgia,” per the affidavit obtained by KFOR.

But not long after, the paperwork continues, Rowland told police she gave her daughter to a man named “Carlos” when she was buying drugs from him.

During an interview with detectives, the affidavit continues, Rowland told officers it was possible Carlos was the father of her daughter, that she was using drugs when she gave her daughter away, and did not know where the girl was.

An Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation spokesperson told USA TODAY the Moore Police Department is heading the investigation.

As of Wednesday, Oklahoma Department of Public Safety spokesperson Sarah Stewart told USA TODAY no Amber Alert had been issued for the missing girl.

The agency also released the following statement:

"Situations like those described in this affidavit are heartbreaking and unimaginable. Like the rest of the community, Oklahoma Human Services reels in concern for this child’s safety. While we are unable to discuss child welfare cases due to state and federal confidentiality statutes, the agency is grateful to our law enforcement partners for their continued work to find her and as they seek justice in her disappearance. We remain committed to supporting their efforts, however needed."

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Ashely Rowland, charged with child abandonment, not listed in jail

Neither the Moore or Oklahoma county jails had Rowland listed as an inmate online Wednesday.

It was not immediately known if the defendant had obtained an attorney in the case.

Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X @nataliealund.