The remains of a two-year-old boy who went missing earlier this month have been recovered from the Siletz River, authorities confirmed on Tuesday. The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office announced that the body of Dane Paulsen was discovered three miles downstream from his family’s home after an extensive search.
A volunteer diver, Juan Heredia, spotted the child’s remains in the water, bringing a heartbreaking conclusion to the days-long effort to locate him. Dane was last seen playing in the yard outside his home on March 1 at around 4:25 p.m. His disappearance triggered a widespread search operation in Siletz, a coastal town approximately 130 miles south of Portland.
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“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.”
Authorities are now working with the county medical examiner as the investigation continues. While officials have not released further details, there is currently no evidence suggesting foul play. A county crime team and the FBI are assisting with investigative leads, including a vehicle of interest. However, it remains unclear if the vehicle is connected to Dane’s disappearance, told The Independent.
The FBI is also providing support to the family through its Victim Services Division. Investigators focused their search on the river after evidence suggested Dane had been at the water’s edge before vanishing. At the time, water temperatures were between 44 and 46 degrees.
Heredia, a member of the Angels Recovery Dive Team, offered his services to Dane’s family after learning about the case. He traveled from Stockton, California, and worked with local authorities to access the river. “A lot of people put a lot of faith in me,” Heredia told CNN, explaining his motivation for helping. “I want to help the family have closure.”
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After recovering Dane’s body, Heredia described a poignant moment with the child’s mother. “She came up to me and thanked me,” he recalled. “[It was] a terrible moment with no words.”
Hundreds of volunteers joined law enforcement in the search effort, using drones, K-9 units, watercraft, and specialized equipment to locate the child. A GoFundMe page launched to support Dane’s family has raised over $21,000 in donations as the community mourns the tragic loss.
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