Media Release March 2, 2025, 6:00pm Search for Dane Paulsen - Update On Saturday March 1, 2025, at about 4:25pm, the Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a missing 2-year-old male (Dane Paulsen) from his residence near Milepost 21 on HWY 229, north of Siletz, Oregon. A vehicle and an adult male, both of which were not known to the family, were noted near a bridge close to the residence approximately 30 minutes prior to the juvenile’s disappearance. Through a community tip, this vehicle and operator have since been located. Following further investigation, this subject and the vehicle are no longer a point of interest. We thank our community for sharing information and tips related to this investigation. At the time of Dane’s disappearance, he was playing in the front yard of their residence and out of sight of his parents. Dane is friendly and fearless, and is comfortable around strangers and water, but cannot swim. Dane is known to love water and vehicles. At this time, Dane is still missing. Investigators are following up on numerous leads, including investigating various leads provided by our community. We have multiple Search and Rescue Teams and Sheriff’s Posse, along with community volunteers, searching the area. Marine Teams and divers are searching the river. The Lincoln County Major Crime Team and the FBI are also assisting with investigative leads. At this time, Dane’s disappearance does not meet the criteria to use the Amber Alert system. Our team will continue to share updates and information via FlashAlert and social media. There is no evidence at this time to suggest criminal actions are involved in this incident. The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, including the enforcement division, Search and Rescue (SAR), and Mounted Posse, is being assisted by Oregon State Police, Lincoln City Police Department (PD), Newport PD, FBI, Siletz Valley Fire, Lane Co SO, Clackamas Co SO, Polk Co SO, Corvallis Mountain Rescue Unit, Mary’s Peak SAR, and Region 3 K9. So far, 382 acres have been searched and 283 miles have been covered. The following resources have been deployed in the initial 24 hours of Dane’s disappearance: - 88 Certified Searcher and Rescue Members - 4 Watercraft - 4 Divers - 4 Drones - 6 Human Trailing K9s - 40 Investigators - 138 Community Volunteers Family resources are being provided by the FBI’s Victim Services Division. How Can the Community Help: Although our teams will continue to work through the evening, community members are not encouraged to continue their search until daylight tomorrow. - Those that are interested in joining search efforts can go to the staging area and check in with the camp host at Elks Toketee Illahee campground at 20590 Siletz Hwy, Siletz, Oregon 97380. - Continue to report information that is relevant to Dane’s disappearance or may bring him home to the tip line: 541-265-0669 Once again, we thank our community for their compassion and assistance. Our team and the community are working tirelessly to bring Dane home.Photos from Lincoln County Sheriff's Office - Oregon's post