The body of a missing 2-year-old boy was recovered Tuesday from the Siletz River in Lincoln County.
According to the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, Dane Paulsen had been missing since March 1 and was found at 11:13 a.m. Tuesday in the river, approximately 3 miles downstream from his family’s home.
Police said at the time of Dane’s disappearance, he was playing in the front yard of the family’s residence and out of sight of his parents.
An independent diver, Juan Heredia, with the Angels Recovery Dive Team found Dane’s body with assistance from the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
“Our thoughts are with the family, who are facing an unbearable sorrow,” Sheriff Adam Shanks said in a statement. “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.”
The body of 2-year-old Dane Paulsen, who went missing on March 1, was recovered weeks later from the Siltez River in Lincoln County on March 11, 2025.
Courtesy of Lincoln County Sheriff's Office
Law enforcement and community members from across the region aided in searching for the toddler for more than two weeks. At one point, more than 200 community volunteers joined first responders in searching over 680 acres of forested areas, roads, homes, structures and portions of the Siletz River.
According to the sheriff’s office, specialized equipment and trained personnel, including six K9 units, 22 divers and 88 certified search and rescue members, were also used to search for Dane.
The sheriff’s office is still processing the scene and working in partnership with the Lincoln County Medical Examiner’s Office. No additional details were released.