By M10News Crime Desk|10 August 2025
Authorities in Oklahoma have arrested a couple accused of subjecting a toddler to prolonged abuse before allegedly giving her to a methamphetamine dealer in exchange for drugs.
Ashley Ceejay Rowland, 39, and her boyfriend Joshua Denton, 40, were taken into custody on August 5 over the abuse of Rowland’s daughter, London Kerr.
The child, last seen in 2022, was reportedly handed to a man identified only as “Carlos,” who allegedly told Rowland he planned to take her to Mexico, according to The Oklahoman.
Police say Rowland admitted to the exchange, telling investigators she gave London away without any identifying paperwork. The shocking revelation came during a renewed investigation into the girl’s disappearance.
Witness statements from teenage children living in the home detailed years of physical punishment.
According to a criminal affidavit, the couple allegedly shot London with a BB gun, beat her with a wooden paddle inscribed with the words “The Last Resort,” and confined her in a closet.
The search of their residence uncovered the paddle described by witnesses. Investigators also heard disturbing allegations from Denton’s two teenage daughters, who said their father force-fed London a hot pepper and poured hot sauce in her eyes multiple times.
One of Denton’s daughters further accused him of previous sexual abuse, according to court documents.
Authorities are continuing their search for London, who would turn six next month. Oklahoma City police Sgt.
Dillon Quirk told KOCO-TV that investigators are racing against time. “We are still hoping for a positive outcome in this case, but we have very little to go on right now, which makes it extremely difficult,” he said.
The Department of Human Services first flagged London as missing during a failed pickup order in April 2023. That discovery triggered the deeper investigation that ultimately led to the couple’s arrest.
Denton now faces nine felony counts, including six counts of child abuse, one count of forcible sodomy, and one count of lewd or indecent acts with a child.
Rowland has been charged with one count of enabling child abuse and is also facing an earlier charge of child abandonment filed in Oklahoma County District Court last year.
The search for London remains active, with authorities urging anyone with information to come forward immediately.
Editing by M10News Crime Desk | Contact: crime@m10news.com
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