The woman who gave her child to the drug dealer was arrested

OKLAHOMA CITY- (KOKH) — A woman who was arrested last week for allegedly giving her daughter to a man from whom she bought meth in 2022 was able to post bail earlier this week.

According to court documents, it all started in April 2022 at an apartment complex in Moore, where a child had not been seen for several years.

A year later, the Oklahoma human services department received a pickup order. Although they were unable to locate the child, with the help of the Moore Police Department, they were able to locate his mother, Ashley Rowland, at a residence near Regency Boulevard in Moore.

Rowland told them the boy was with his father in Georgia, but he was interviewed again after authorities learned Rowland was lying.

This time, Rowland told the police that she gave her daughter, who was two years old at the time, to a man from whom she bought meth, and that she was using drugs heavily when she gave the child to someone else.

He identified the man as Carlos, and Carlos said he was going back to Mexico the last time he saw him (in April 2022).

Last week, Rowland was booked into the Oklahoma County Jail and authorities were working to raise his bail to $100,000. However, Rowland managed to get out earlier.

“So that Tuesday the judge set bond at $100,000, but by the time they set bond the person was already out of jail,” Oklahoma County Jail Communications Director Mark Opgrande said.

Opgrande said this is due to what is called the bond program.

“There are a number of charges that you register, set up automatic bonds, and if they want to increase it, they have to hold a hearing to increase the bond,” he said.

DHS could not release any details about this case as a matter of policy, but sent a statement to FOX 25, saying in part:

“Situations like those described in this statement are heartbreaking and unimaginable. The agency is grateful to our law enforcement partners for their continued work to find her and the pursuit of justice in her disappearance.”

Katie Sylvester, bailiff for special judge Kevin McCray assigned to the case, said Rowland will appear in court for a hearing on Jan. 6, where he will have to post $100,000 or remain in custody.