The search for a missing 2-year-old out of Siletz has come to an end

By on Wednesday, March 12th, 2025 in Eastern/Southeast Oregon News More Top Stories

LINCOLN COUNTY (Released from Lincoln County Sheriffโ€™s Office)-It is with heavy hearts that we announce the discovery of Dane Paulsen, who had been missing since March 1, 2025 around 4:25pm. After an extensive search and investigation by local authorities, along with the help of community volunteers, Dane was found today at approximately 11:13am in the Siletz River approximately 3 miles downstream from the familyโ€™s property. Sadly, he was found deceased.

Juan Heredia, with Angels Recovery Dive Team offered his dive services to Daneโ€™s family. After connecting with the Lincoln County Sheriffโ€™s Office, Jaun was escorted onto the river by a local river guide and began searching areas of the Siletz River downstream from where Sheriffโ€™s Office drivers had thoroughly combed.

Sheriffโ€™s Office investigators are currently processing the scene. The Lincoln County Sheriffโ€™s Office is working in partnership with the Lincoln County Medical Examiners Office. As is standard with ongoing investigations, additional details are not available at this time.

The Lincoln County Sheriffโ€™s Office expresses its deepest sympathies to Daneโ€™s family and loved ones. The impact of this loss is felt by the entire community, and we join those grieving this unimaginable tragedy.

โ€œOur thoughts are with the family, who are facing an unbearable sorrow,โ€ said Sheriff Adam Shanks. โ€œWe 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.โ€

We understand that this news is incredibly painful, especially for Daneโ€™s family and those who knew him. Daneโ€™s family has been notified. Out of respect for the familyโ€™s privacy during this profoundly difficult time, we ask the public and media to respect their need for space and time to grieve.