Okla. Mom Gave 2-Year-Old Daughter to Man While Buying Meth and Hasn’t Seen Her Since: Police

An Oklahoma woman has been arrested after allegedly giving her young daughter to a man from whom she was buying drugs two years ago, authorities said.

Ashley Rowland, 39, of Moore, was arrested last week and charged with child abandonment in connection with the 2022 disappearance of her daughter, who was 2 at the time, police said, CBS affiliate KOTV, ABC affiliate KOCO and the Kansas City Star report.

In April 2023, the Oklahoma Department of Human Services was asked to take custody of the child, but couldn’t find her, according to an affidavit obtained by KOCO, KOTV and the Kansas City Star. 

DHS workers tracked down Rowland who allegedly told them her daughter was “with her father in Georgia,” according to the affidavit.

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But when interviewed by police, Rowland allegedly told them something different: that she gave her daughter to a man named “Carlos” when she was buying methamphetamine from him, the affidavit said.

Rowland told police Carlos could be the girl’s father, but she wasn’t sure, according to the affidavit.

She said she was using drugs when she gave her daughter away and has no idea where she is, the affidavit alleges.

Police are searching for the girl, who would be 5 years old now.

In a statement, the Oklahoma Department of Human Services said, “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 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.”

The Moore Police Department did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s requests for comment.

If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.