After an extensive search, missing 2-year-old Dane Paulsen was found deceased by a volunteer diver in the Siletz River in Oregon on Tuesday, 10 days after he vanished from his family’s yard.
Dane was located nearly three miles downstream from the Paulsen family’s property, north of Siletz, Oregon, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office reported Tuesday. Siletz is situated along the Oregon coast, approximately 130 miles south of Portland.
Related article: Massive search underway for 2-year-old Oregon boy last seen playing in yard.
“Our thoughts are with the family, who are experiencing an unbearable sorrow,” Lincoln County Sheriff Adam Shanks stated. “We are deeply grateful for the support and dedication shown by the search teams and our communities throughout this difficult time, although we wish it were under different circumstances.”
Hundreds of volunteers and emergency responders from multiple state and federal law enforcement agencies participated in the search using specialized equipment, dogs, drones, and watercraft following his disappearance in early March.
Search and recovery diving instructor Juan Heredia, founder of the non-profit Angels Recovery Dive Team, discovered the boy after a two-hour dive in the frigid river.
This photo, posted by the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office on March 5, depicts the search for Dane Paulsen in the Siletz River. Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office.
Heredia stated he returned from his vacation after being alerted to the case on social media. He then drove 12 hours from his home base in Stockton, California, to Siletz to assist the Paulsen family in their search for Dane.
“A lot of people put a lot of faith in me,” Heredia said, when asked about his motivation to help the Paulsen family. “I want to help the family have closure.”
According to KATU, Heredia located Dane at the river bottom near a tree, in an area previously searched by law enforcement. Heredia spoke with Dane’s mother after finding him.
“She came to me and said ‘thank you,’ and we started crying together,” Heredia recounted. “(It was) a terrible moment with no words.”
A GoFundMe campaign created by Dane’s relatives has raised nearly $20,000 for the Paulsen family.
“The Paulsen family is going to need help to get through this difficult time. Please, anything will help,” the post stated.
