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

[oceanverde]

Expected but awful nonetheless

 

[LauraAnne]

A volunteer diver has found the body of the 2-year-old Siletz boy who went missing while playing in his front yard 10 days ago, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office said Tuesday.

California scuba diver Juan Heredia joined the search this week. Heredia has been credited in the past with helping find the bodies of people who went missing, including last year.

Heredia found the boy’s body around 11:13 a.m., about 3 miles downstream of the boy’s home, the sheriff’s office said.

Body of missing 2-year-old Oregon boy found, officials say

Dane Paulsen went missing from his family's yard on Saturday, March 1. A diver found his body in the Siletz River on Tuesday.

www.oregonlive.com

So sad, but thank God for Mr. Heredia, who apparently has a knack for locating remains. Kind of like Tim Miller. God bless them and their gift of bringing whatever relief can be offered to grieving families.

 

[LovesPeace2]

Rest in paradise little one

 

[JudiK]

There are black bears in that part of Oregon, but they are generally non agressive and this early in the early would not likely have cubs that would make them more protective. Coyotes can be a risk to a toddler, but there's adequate small game around there for them to eat with no snow cover so it's unlikely. I believe LE stated in a link prior to this post that wild animals had been ruled out.

Thank you!

 

[LovesMomo]

I am so sad right now =( The heat these parents have been taking, the guilt they must feel, the "if onlys". I'm just glad there's not one more night they have to lie awake and think "Where is he?" on repeat. Just the beginning of a long road to healing, and "kind of good enough". I am so, so sorry for them, and I know they only wanted good things for their little boy, and they did their best. Poor little Dane, I hope it was quick and not scary.

 

[LovesMomo]

So sad, but thank God for Mr. Heredia, who apparently has a knack for locating remains. Kind of like Tim Miller. God bless them and their gift of bringing whatever relief can be offered to grieving families.

Imagine the mettle of such a man! I can't imagine finding a tiny boy's body in a dark, lonely riverbed. I wish him a good sleep and a good life, knowing he helped these parents the most anyone ever could.

 

[swanniee11]

Very sad outcome. My Prayers for Little Dane and his family.

 

[ChatteringBirds]

Sincere condolences to his family.
I hope they receive nothing but support and care. Such an accident could happen in any family.

 

[arielilane]

Rest easy, sweet baby

 

[tlcya]

heartbroken for Dane's loved ones.

interview with diver who found his body. Missing 2-year-old Dane Paulsen found dead in Oregon

 

[Chimera]

Not unexpected but I am thankful that his loved ones know now.
It can happen to anyone.

Rest in gentle peace, little Dane !
My utmost condolences to his family.

 

[Chimera]

heartbroken for Dane's loved ones.

interview with diver who found his body. Missing 2-year-old Dane Paulsen found dead in Oregon

Thoughts for the diver who found Dane.
Thankful for his efforts but what an emotional toll.

 

[airportwoman]

On another note, I just checked a local Facebook page, and someone posted this story, which said he was from here, and missing from here.

I live in the Midwest, and let them know that story, as it appeared, was fraudulent.

 

[TMich6811]

Wrong post

 

[Jo in Calif]

Media Briefing Scheduled To Provide Updates On Search For Dane Paulsen​

Sheriff Shanks and the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office will be providing an in-person update for media partners. The Sheriff’s Office will share a brief overview of the investigation and search efforts, share the latest information, and any anticipated next steps.



To ensure a smooth and productive process, we kindly ask media partners to submit their questions in advance. By receiving your inquiries ahead of time, we can address as many topics as possible, minimize redundant questions, and ensure a thorough and informative session. These questions can be emailed to [email protected].


Updates will be shared after the media briefing for those that are unable to attend in person.


When: Thursday, March 13, 2025 at 12:30pm.


Where: Siletz Valley Grange Hall, 224 N Gaither St, Siletz, OR 97380


RSVP:To help with planning, members of the media are asked to RSVP and submit questions by emailing [email protected]. Media partners interested in attending will need to sign in at the location.



Additional updates will be shared via FlashAlert and social media as they become available.

Lincoln Co. Sheriff's Office News via Flashalert.net

 

[Gemmie]

A different picture of Dane that I hadn't seen before. RIP, Dane. You were, and still are loved.

https://www.cnn.com/2025/03/12/us/dane-paulsen-update-oregon-siletz-river/index.html

 

[Trinitee]

Sending my deepest condolences to Dane’s family and friends.

 

[Jo in Calif]

The Lincoln County Medical Examiner’s Office was notified and responded to the scene, they transported Dane to the State Medical Examiner’s Office where an autopsy was completed on March 12th. Results from this autopsy confirmed Dane’s cause of death was drowning. There was no evidence that indicated additional trauma to his body.

• 
  How long was Dane left alone prior to his disappearance? Who was home and what were they doing? How did he get into the river?
  
  
  • 
    Before his disappearance, Dane was reported to be playing out of site in his yard. Evidence suggests he wandered down to the river. We are not able to share additional details at this time.
    
    
  Lincoln Co. Sheriff's Office News via Flashalert.net

 

[Linear13]

Children are drawn to the water. I don’t know if this is some residual ‘instinct’ in humans, curiosity, or the fact of being told ‘don’t go there’ and doing just that (every child and teenager does this). I was and still am drawn to water and cannot swim enough to stay alive although I learned to float on my back but in fast waters that would not help. My family used to picnic at roadside tables on various rivers (remember when people used to drive places for entertainment). The first thing I wanted to do was go to the water. The more my mother said ‘stay away’ the more I slipped closer when she wasn’t looking. Luckily I never fell in. I was always after the pretty rocks (still am) and would reach in to get one. All it takes is reaching too far or stumbling and you’re gone. Unlike movies and TV people who drown don’t yell and scream they are too busy trying to breathe and stay alive.

It only takes a moment for a toddler to cover amazing distances. I am not going to lay any type of blame on parents that I know are already blaming themselves. It only takes a minute or two for a toddler to literally disappear. Even the best mothers and fathers turn their backs for a minute, go to the bathroom, help with other children and notice suddenly they don’t hear or see one of their children. Just about every parent has had the you-know-what scared out of them when their children are small. I Hope for peace for the parents.

 

[Gemmie]

About the diver's story:

Last weekend, he was on vacation in Mexico with his wife when someone — a stranger — sent him a message via Facebook about the search underway in Siletz.

By Monday, Heredia was in his truck headed to Oregon.

Before entering the Siletz River this week, he spoke with Dane’s mother, Chamet Jackson, who provided a description of her son.

Heredia thought of those details as he began his solo effort.

“I like to feel connected to the person when I’m diving because in the end, I’m not searching for a body,” he said. “I’m searching for a son or daughter.”

The river was clear, the current brisk, the water a chilly 46 degrees, he said.

After about two hours in the water, he said he spotted Dane’s body. The boy was about 3 miles south of where he had likely entered the water. Heredia found the boy’s body against a submerged tree about 6 feet deep and about 8 feet from shore.

He notified Dane’s mother, then Lincoln County authorities.

Heredia said his wife had warned him about the trauma he would likely experience if his search proved successful.

“I’m going to have a baby in my arms if I find him,” he said to himself before the search began.

The experience of recovering a child so young deeply affected him, he said Wednesday while driving home.

“I don’t know,” he said. “It’s going to be very hard for me to manage the emotion of the situation.”

Diver who recovered body of 2-year-old Oregon boy drove 12 hours to help: ‘That pain - I feel it’

“I like to feel connected to the person when I'm diving because in the end, I'm not searching for a body,” diver Juan Heredia said. “I'm searching for a son or daughter.”

www.oregonlive.com