A missing child case out of southeast Oklahoma City has grown increasingly disturbing as new details suggest that two-year-old London Kerr was brutally abused before being handed over to a drug dealer by her mother, as the Daily Mail reports.

Authorities say London disappeared more than three years ago, and despite multiple arrests, conflicting stories, and widespread searches, there has been no trace of her since April 2022.

London Kerr was last seen in April 2022 at her family’s apartment complex in southeast Oklahoma City. She was just  two years old at the time. Her disappearance wasn’t immediately reported, and investigators say it wasn’t until nearly a year later -- in April 2023 -- that her absence was discovered during a welfare check by the Oklahoma Department of Human Services.

When DHS officers attempted to serve a pickup order, they were unable to find London. Her mother, Ashley Rowland, initially claimed that London was with her biological father in Georgia. That claim turned out to be false, further raising suspicion around Rowland’s behavior and the child’s fate.

Rowland’s conflicting statements raise red flags

In a later interview with Oklahoma City police, Rowland admitted to giving the toddler to a drug dealer known only as “Carlos.” She said Carlos had previously sold her meth and was returning to Mexico at the time. Rowland, who claimed Carlos might have been London’s father but wasn’t certain, also said she did not provide him with any of London’s records or documentation.

Despite this confession, Rowland changed her story months later, recanting the statement about Carlos. Authorities, however, continued treating her statements as a lead. Police have not confirmed Carlos’s identity nor located him since Rowland's initial claims.

In October 2024, Rowland was arrested and charged with child abandonment. She was later released on bond as investigators continued to pursue leads in the case. By March 2025, police shifted their attention to allegations of abuse tied to Joshua Denton, Rowland’s boyfriend at the time of London’s disappearance.

Children allege physical, sexual abuse

Authorities interviewed a 15-year-old boy in early 2025 who offered chilling details. He claimed Denton had beaten London with a wooden paddle and shot her with a BB gun. The teen also alleged that Denton had duct taped him to a chair, whipped him with a belt, and threatened to make him “disappear” if he spoke about the abuse.

More revelations came just weeks later when police spoke with Denton's eight-year-old daughter and 10-year-old son. Both children described harrowing scenes of violence inflicted on London. They said Denton poured hot sauce in the toddler’s eyes, locked her in a closet, and physically assaulted them when they tried to tell Rowland.

Denton’s daughter also accused him of sexually assaulting her, saying he threatened to kill her if she told anyone. Investigators later discovered a storage unit linked to both Rowland and Denton. Inside, they found several chilling items: a pink baby blanket, a single pink shoe, diapers, a car seat, a wooden paddle labeled “The Last Resort,” and a BB gun.

Daycare worker's account sheds new light

An early 2025 interview with a former daycare worker added to growing concerns. She told police she last saw London two years prior during a stop at a gas station with Rowland. The toddler reportedly had visible bruises on her head. When questioned, Rowland allegedly attributed the injuries to a car accident.

Authorities say these testimonies and physical evidence paint a grim portrait of life in the home London shared with Rowland and Denton. Despite numerous interviews, evidence gathering, and coordinated searches, investigators have not found London or any conclusive trace of her.

The Oklahoma City Police Department, now leading the case after it was transferred from Moore Police, is working closely with the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation. They have combed through digital devices, properties, and storage units in the effort to track down the missing child.

Lessons to learn

1. Child abuse must always be investigated seriously and promptly. This case illustrates how signs of abuse -- bruises, isolation, threats -- should never be dismissed. Bystanders, including professionals like daycare workers, play a critical role in reporting concerns.

2. Unreported disappearances can go unnoticed for too long. London wasn’t officially identified as missing for nearly a year, showing how dangerous it is when children's locations aren't verified regularly by schools, DHS, or other oversight systems.

3. Criminal networks can exploit vulnerable families. Suspected ties between drug activity and child endangerment in this case show how addiction and unstable environments place children at extreme risk. But most importantly, no matter how many safety measures are taken, criminal acts can happen to anyone, and victims are never to blame.

Why this story matters

The case of London Kerr highlights gaps in child protection systems and the horrifying consequences when those cracks go unnoticed.

It serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance when it comes to the welfare of vulnerable children. Community members and institutions alike must be proactive when signs of abuse or neglect emerge.