Andrew Carlson, the biological father of missing 5-year-old girl Oakley Carlson, was labeled a no-show in Grays Harbor County Superior Court on Monday, Sept. 12, in Montesano, for his review hearing for re-arraignment.
Carlson, who was released from jail on Aug. 3 following an eight-month sentence after pleading guilty to two felony charges of child endangerment, was due back in court to confirm he had obtained a chemical dependency evaluation within 45 days of his initial release.
However, when Judge Katherine L. Svoboda called to begin Carlson’s hearing, the courtroom remained silent. When Svoboda requested information about his no-show from Carlson’s defense attorney, Johnathan Feste, he couldn’t confirm the whereabouts of his client.
“I wrote to Mr. Carlson that such a hearing would occur on this date, and I advised him to contact me as soon as possible,” said Feste during the hearing.
Feste noted he also attempted multiple times to contact Carlson via phone, but was unable to establish communication.
After being asked to present any information, prosecuting attorney Jason Walker revealed he had potential sources of Carlson’s location.
“I’ve heard second or third hand that he went to a treatment facility in Eastern Washington. I don’t have any way to know if he’s out or not,” Walker said.
Svoboda requested if there was a way that Walker could provide verification that Carlson had been registered in the facility, but was told that there was nothing he could produce at that moment.
Following the brief information from both attorneys, Svoboda issued a bench warrant for Carlson with bail set at $25,000.
“If he’s in treatment and that can be verified then you can bring it back to court,” Svoboda said.
Although Feste declined to comment to The Daily World on whether he had spoken to Carlson since his Aug. 3 release date, he openly acknowledged that he had “no idea” where Carlson could be other than he didn’t come to his court date. He also said if verification can be obtained that Carlson is in treatment, then that should appease the court. Until then, the bench warrant will remain in place.
“When he has a bench warrant the officers will be aware if we see him, we’ll take him in and bring him to court,” Feste said.
UPDATE: The bench warrant for Carlson was retracted a few hours later after prosecutors confirmed to the court that Carlson was in a treatment center in eastern Washington. He is still required to show his evaluation and treatment plan.