Oregon boy found dead in Siletz River following 10-day search

A two-year-old boy has been found dead in the Siletz River in Oregon following an extensive 10-day search.

The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) posted the update on Facebook Tuesday, adding his body was discovered three miles downstream from his family’s property.

Investigators are currently processing the scene, as standard with ongoing investigations.

“Our thoughts are with the family, who are facing an unbearable sorrow,” Sheriff Adam Shanks said via the Facebook post. “We are deeply grateful for the support and dedication shown by the search teams and our communities throughout this difficult time, though we wish it was under different circumstances.”

Terrain makes search more challenging

The sheriff’s office, in coordination with multiple agencies and volunteers, had ramped up its water-based search operations utilizing boats, sonar and remotely-operated underwater drones.

Volunteers and officials alike describe the dense terrain along the river as a significant challenge in the search. Thick blackberry and salmonberry bushes made it difficult to navigate, raising concerns that the child could be hidden from view despite extensive ground searches. Search teams, including divers and boats equipped with sonar, have scanned a 14-mile stretch of the Siletz River.

“Even with specialized equipment and search K9s, it is possible to miss a small child that may be hidden by thick brush or other visual impairments,” LCSO said in a March 5 update.

Additional boats with underwater cameras and remotely operated vehicles have been deployed to explore hard-to-reach areas.

Community joins in search

Community members also joined the effort, using personal watercraft to expand the search to the lower parts of the river. However, officials urged volunteers to follow safety precautions, including wearing life jackets and avoiding active search zones designated for emergency responders.

Authorities asked the public to share official updates from the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office via FlashAlert and Facebook. They also urged anyone with relevant information to call the designated tip line at (541) 265-0669.

No criminal activity confirmed

Although no criminal activity has been confirmed, a vehicle of interest was reportedly seen in the area before the boy’s disappearance. However, Lincoln County Sheriff Curtis Shanks clarified that there is currently no evidence linking the vehicle to the case, which is why an Amber Alert was not issued.

‘Friendly and fearless’

Dane Paulsen was last seen around 4:25 p.m. on March 1 near milepost 21 of Siletz River Highway (Oregon Route 229). He was wearing a gray fuzzy hoodie with ears, black pants and blue-and-white shoes. Described as “friendly and fearless,” he is comfortable around strangers and has a fascination with water and vehicles but cannot swim.

Despite exhaustive efforts, there had been no confirmed sighting of Dane since his disappearance. The FBI has provided assistance through its Victim Services Division, while the Lincoln County Major Crime Team continues to investigate potential leads.

“We express our deepest empathy for Dane’s family,” the sheriff’s office stated. “Our teams are working tirelessly to bring him home.”

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