Explicit content is found in this episode, so listener discretion is advised.

Welcome back to true crime cases. I'm your host, Lainey.

Today's narrative delves into the haunting realm of a missing child, Oakley Carlson.

This particular case has weighed heavily on me, not just as a storyteller, but as a parent.

Every glimpse of Oakley's face echoes the image of my own daughter.

While the emotional toll of covering this case scared me,

it pales compared to the anguish felt by those who love her.

You see, the nightmare of a missing child is a fear that should resonate with every parent.

Unfortunately, reality reveals that shared DNA doesn't guarantee familial love.

True family is often discovered beyond blood ties,

whether in the realms of education, work, or the early stages of life, a second chance at belonging.

Today with a heavy heart, we delve into the disappearance of a very young soul, cherished by her foster parents, but seemingly neglected by her biological

kin.

As we approach what would have been Oakley Carlson's seventh birthday and mark the two-year

anniversary of her disappearance, we embark on a journey to piece together the

haunting puzzle of her case.

The emotional toll is undeniable, but if I want to be an advocate, I have to be able to do it even when it's difficult.

While I typically remove myself from these cases or the scripts, it's impossible to do here.

I urge you all to listen and help spread awareness for Oakley and other children in similar

situations.

I also want to express deep gratitude to Oakley's foster parents, Jamie Joe and Eric Hiles,

the Light the Way Missing Person's Advocacy Project, Haley Gray at Haley Gray Research,

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