Disturbing new details have emerged about the tragic life of 2-year-old London Kerr, whose mother, Ashley Rowland, and her boyfriend, Joshua Denton, have been arrested and charged with multiple counts of child abuse and neglect related to her disappearance in 2022.
Rowland, 39, and Denton, 40, are facing serious charges after investigators uncovered horrific details about London’s life before she went missing, including abuse at the hands of Denton, Rowland’s boyfriend.
Rowland is now facing two counts of enabling child abuse by injury and engaging in a pattern of criminal offenses. Denton has been charged with six counts of child abuse, as well as charges for forcible sodomy, lewd proposals or acts with a child, and engaging in a pattern of criminal offenses.
In addition to abusing Rowland’s daughter, Denton is accused of abusing his own children.
Shocking Abuse Allegations
According to a probable cause arrest affidavit, authorities interviewed Denton’s children, who revealed disturbing details about the abuse. Denton’s 15-year-old son reported that Denton used a wooden paddle to hit London, leaving visible marks and bruises.
The paddle, which had “The Last Resort” written on it, was recovered from a storage unit that belonged to both Rowland and Denton, along with a BB gun that Denton allegedly used to shoot London.
The son also claimed that his father used hot sauce on London’s eyes multiple times and locked her in a closet, further highlighting the extent of the abuse.
Denton’s son also recalled a disturbing incident where Denton allegedly threatened to kill him and make him “disappear” if he spoke out about the abuse. According to the affidavit, Rowland was present during these abusive events but did nothing to intervene.
The Disappearance of London Kerr
The most chilling part of this case is the disappearance of London Kerr. Denton’s son reported the last time he saw London, she was in a car with Denton and Rowland. Before they drove off, Rowland allegedly told the boy to “say goodbye to London,” and he never saw her again.
Rowland claimed they were taking her to London’s father’s house, but investigators have since questioned the timeline and Rowland’s version of events.
Rowland initially told authorities that London had been handed over to a man named “Carlos,” who she claimed was London’s biological father and had taken her to sell drugs in exchange for meth. However, investigators could not verify the existence of Carlos or his supposed role in the incident. Rowland later admitted she was lying about Carlos being a drug dealer.
In her statements to authorities, Rowland claimed she had not seen London since giving her to Carlos. However, further investigation revealed inconsistencies in her story.
The Oklahoma Department of Human Services (DHS) had been tasked with taking custody of the child in April 2023 but was unable to locate her. Rowland’s story about London’s whereabouts led the authorities to contact the Moore Police Department, which helped continue the search for the missing child.
Investigation and Search for London Kerr
The search for London Kerr continues. As of now, there is no confirmed information about her whereabouts, and she is considered missing. If London is still alive, she will turn 6 years old next month. The Oklahoma City Police Department has taken over the investigation into her disappearance, as it’s believed that she was last seen in their jurisdiction.
Sergeant Dillon Quirk of the Oklahoma City Police Department expressed concern about the lack of credible information from those who had custody of London. He emphasized that time is of the essence in this case, as they continue to investigate the details already documented in an attempt to locate her.
Legal Consequences and Ongoing Investigation
Ashley Rowland and Joshua Denton are currently being held without bond at the Cleveland County Jail. The charges they face reflect the severity of the abuse and neglect that London suffered during her short life. As the investigation into the toddler’s disappearance continues, authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward.
Anyone with information on London’s whereabouts or related to the case is encouraged to contact the Oklahoma City Police Department Homicide Tip Line at 405-297-1200 or Crime Stoppers at 405-235-7300.
This tragic case has sparked outrage, as authorities work to piece together the details of what happened to London Kerr and ensure that those responsible for her abuse and disappearance are held accountable.
