A 2-year-old Oregon boy seemingly disappeared while playing in his front yard, leaving authorities desperate to find him. The Lincoln County sheriff’s office responded to a call about 4:25 p.m. March 1, 2025, to a home near Milepost 21 on HWY 229 outside Siletz. Dane Paulsen was reportedly playing outside his parents’ sight and vanished.
According to a media release from the sheriff’s office, “Dane is friendly and fearless and is comfortable around strangers and water, but cannot swim. Dane is known to love water and vehicles.”
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Early on in the investigation, the sheriff’s office followed up on a tip about an unknown vehicle near the family’s home. According to the release, however, investigators found the vehicle and driver but do not consider that person a suspect. Police added they do not have evidence to support “criminal actions” at this time.
Lincoln County Sheriff Adam Shanks told KATU that Dane’s case “didn’t meet the criteria” for an Amber Alert. “Based on the information available at this time, the only information our investigators have is a vehicle of interest (no license plate or further information) seen in the area prior to the child’s disappearance, however, there is no link showing this vehicle is directly involved in the disappearance of Dane Paulsen,” Shanks explained.
The sheriff’s office reported searching 382 acres and 283 miles for Dane thus far. In the first 24 hours, the department deployed 88 certified search and rescue members, watercraft, divers, drones, human-tailing K-9s, investigators, and 138 volunteers, per the media release.
“Search and Rescue teams continue to conduct methodical searches of this area. Several resources, including aerial drones, tracking canines, watercraft, and human behavior tracking resources are currently deployed,” the sheriff’s office noted in an update, per KATU. “Those wishing to assist can stage at the Elks Campground. The park host will be the point of contact to direct volunteer search parties.”
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Many shared kind words and prayers on the sheriff’s office’s Facebook page.
“Praying that sweet baby is found soon,” one person wrote. “God bless everyone who is involved in the search operations for this boy.”
Another shared, “Amazing to see the response from so many people to try and find this sweet baby. Praying for his family, for Dane and for all the searchers. Praying he’s found soon.”
Dane had on a gray fuzzy hoodie with ears, blue and white shoes, and black pants when he disappeared, per KATU. He has brown hair and green eyes. Anyone with information should call 541-265-0669.
