Found Deceased Siletz, OR - 2yo Dane Paulsen, missing from yard of residence, 01 MAR 2025

"Playing in the front yard, out of sight of his parents.". I wonder what the timeline is, who was home, when the last time he was seen by anyone.

Interesting, that the police did not do an Amber Alert.


I hope he is found soon.
 
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I asked chat GTP about where he might be if he did fall into the river:

The Siletz River flows westward through Lincoln County, Oregon, and empties into Siletz Bay on the Pacific Ocean, near the town of Lincoln City.

Because the last 22.5 miles of the river are tidally influenced, the movement of water in this stretch can be affected by ocean tides, potentially pushing objects back upriver or dispersing them into the bay and out to sea.

If the child entered the river near Siletz, OR (around milepost 21 on Siletz Highway), he could have been carried downstream toward Siletz Bay within 24 hours, depending on river flow speed and obstacles. Search efforts should focus on:


1. Downstream from the entry point -Checking bends, log jams, and areas where debris collects.

2. Siletz Bay-Especially near marshy areas and sandbars.


3. The Pacific Ocean-If the current carried him beyond the bay, ocean drift models may help predict possible locations.

Tide Information for Siletz Bay:

On March 2, 2025, the tides at Taft, Siletz Bay were as follows:

High Tide:


2:01 AM at 7.04 ft


2:00 PM at 6.34 ft

Low Tide:

8:20 AM at 0.28 ft

8:24 PM at 0.53 ft

River Flow Information:

The Siletz River near Siletz, OR, had a mean flow of approximately 2,370 cubic feet per second (cfs) on March 3, 2025.

Search Considerations:

Given the river’s flow rate and tidal conditions, search efforts should focus on:

1. Downstream Areas: The river’s current could have carried the child downstream toward Siletz Bay.

2. Tidal Influences: The tidal fluctuations may affect the river’s flow near the bay, potentially altering search areas.

3. Obstructions and Eddies: Areas where debris accumulates, such as bends or obstructions, should be thoroughly examined.
 
At this time, Dane’s disappearance does not meet the criteria to use the Amber Alert system. Our team will continue to share updates and information via FlashAlert and social media. There is no evidence at this time to suggest criminal actions are involved in this incident.

The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, including the enforcement division, Search and Rescue (SAR), and Mounted Posse, is being assisted by Oregon State Police, Lincoln City Police Department (PD), Newport PD, FBI, Siletz Valley Fire, Lane Co SO, Clackamas Co SO, Polk Co SO, Corvallis Mountain Rescue Unit, Mary’s Peak SAR, and Region 3 K9.

So far, 382 acres have been searched and 283 miles have been covered. The following resources have been deployed in the initial 24 hours of Dane’s disappearance:
- 88 Certified Searcher and Rescue Members
- 4 Watercraft
- 4 Divers
- 4 Drones
- 6 Human Trailing K9s
Snipped for focus.
Red bolding mine.

Wonder if the K9's picked up anything at all ?
If he walked away, there should have been a scent trail.
Depending if he was wearing a diaper or pull-ups, that might have made even more scent to follow.
Imo.
 
I don't understand why there wouldn't be an Amber Alert at that age, especially with cold temperatures and terrain, with those stipulations listed to warrant such an Amber Alert? Unless there's information not yet released from the investigation, yeah, I agree, not feeling great about this one. 💔
 
I don't understand why there wouldn't be an Amber Alert at that age, especially with cold temperatures and terrain, with those stipulations listed to warrant such an Amber Alert? Unless there's information not yet released from the investigation, yeah, I agree, not feeling great about this one. 💔
Because there's no evidence of an abduction, which is a requirement for an Amber Alert in Oregon. They are treating this as if he wandered off, which is why there are extensive searches taking place in the immediate area.
 
I don't understand why there wouldn't be an Amber Alert at that age, especially with cold temperatures and terrain, with those stipulations listed to warrant such an Amber Alert? Unless there's information not yet released from the investigation, yeah, I agree, not feeling great about this one. 💔

AAs have specific requirements and are not appropriate for all missing children. In most states, there must be an abduction and, frequently, a vehicle.
 
Because there's no evidence of an abduction, which is a requirement for an Amber Alert in Oregon. They are treating this as if he wandered off, which is why there are extensive searches taking place in the immediate area.
But, it's determined locally first correct? And, there was a car reported and later changed but still even the mention of a strange/unknown car is enough to issue the Amber Alert immediately? Wasn't that information retracted later?
 
Because there's no evidence of an abduction, which is a requirement for an Amber Alert in Oregon. They are treating this as if he wandered off, which is why there are extensive searches taking place in the immediate area.
If he was 'unsupervised', how can they know I wonder?
 
But, it's determined locally first correct? And, there was a car reported and later changed but still even the mention of a strange/unknown car is enough to issue the Amber Alert immediately? Wasn't that information retracted later?
These are the requirements:

In Oregon, an AMBER Alert is issued when all of the following criteria are met:

1. The child must be under 18 years old.

2. Law enforcement must confirm that the child has been abducted (not a runaway or lost child).

3. The child must be in imminent danger of serious bodily harm or death.

4. There must be sufficient descriptive information available about the child, the suspect, and/or the vehicle involved (such as license plate number, make, model, color).

5. The alert must be issued within 4 hours of the abduction. Exceptions may apply if circumstances warrant.

If these criteria are not met, law enforcement may use other types of alerts, such as a Missing Endangered Person Alert (MEPA) or a local missing person notification.
 
These are the requirements:

In Oregon, an AMBER Alert is issued when all of the following criteria are met:

1. The child must be under 18 years old.

2. Law enforcement must confirm that the child has been abducted (not a runaway or lost child).

3. The child must be in imminent danger of serious bodily harm or death.

4. There must be sufficient descriptive information available about the child, the suspect, and/or the vehicle involved (such as license plate number, make, model, color).

5. The alert must be issued within 4 hours of the abduction. Exceptions may apply if circumstances warrant.

If these criteria are not met, law enforcement may use other types of alerts, such as a Missing Endangered Person Alert (MEPA) or a local missing person notification.
So, a car of interest was described earlier in the investigation and under the examples of the Oregon Amber Alert & Plan on page 17, it says this case (example) would qualify for an Amber Alert. For them to even speak of a car of interest even later changed, would be enough to issue the alert. I know it's fine hairs we are pulling at but using it helps open the investigation further. Not trying to be difficult either, I'm just confused on why it wasn't. I hope I formatted this correctly, apologies if not. Amber Alert Plan & Manual
 
So, a car of interest was described earlier in the investigation and under the examples of the Oregon Amber Alert & Plan on page 17, it says this case (example) would qualify for an Amber Alert. For them to even speak of a car of interest even later changed, would be enough to issue the alert. I know it's fine hairs we are pulling at but using it helps open the investigation further. Not trying to be difficult either, I'm just confused on why it wasn't. I hope I formatted this correctly, apologies if not. Amber Alert Plan & Manual
They have to confirm the child was abducted in the first place though. Just seeing a car that happens to drive through the area around the general time of disappearance, wouldn’t be enough.

Putting that out and focusing their efforts on something criminal, would be disastrous if they were wrong.

The vast majority of resources and being utilized for a search and rescue, as opposed to some criminal act that there’s no evidence of.
 
This is the update for Monday.

The search continued on Monday, and authorities are investigating tips from the community.

"Once again, we thank our community for their compassion and assistance," the sheriff's office stated in an update. "Our team and the community are working to bring Dane home."

 
Sadly, I dont think there’s any hope of a happy ending here.

He’s such a cute boy with such a cheeky face - just so sad.

Also well done to the owner of that vehicle for coming forward quickly. Allowing the police to quickly eliminate that possible theory.
Same. I’m of the opinion he fell in the river, and my hope right now is they are able to find his body.
 

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