La Grande infant still missing, police say

Published 1:00 pm Wednesday, August 10, 2022

LA GRANDE — The whereabouts of a 3-month-old boy from La Grande still are unknown after he was reported missing last week by the Oregon Department of Human Services.

Officials believe that the infant, Oakley Miller, went missing with his mother, McKinzie Simonis, on Aug. 3.

“Oakley, as of this morning, is still missing and we are still looking for him,” said Jake Sunderland, press secretary of the Oregon Department of Human Services.

According to Union County Sheriff Cody Bowen, Oakley was supposed to be turned over to Child Protective Services and law enforcement believe Simonis took off with the infant.

Bowen said that anytime CPS looks to take custody of a child they are doing so for the safety of that child.

“Now they don’t know where the child is at, don’t know where the mother is at, that just intensifies it,” the sheriff said.

Due to federal child privacy laws, the Oregon Department of Human Services was unable to disclose any additional information outside of what was shared in the initial press release.

The sheriff’s office is actively investigating and searching for Oakley. Officers are checking known locations, speaking with family members and following all leads.

Oakley has blonde hair and blue eyes. Anyone who has knowledge of Oakley’s whereabouts or believes they have seen him are encouraged to contact the sheriff’s office.