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3-3-25 UPDATE:
The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office and partnering agencies continued active search operations in the area and followed up on informational tips for Dane Paulsen throughout the evening of March 2nd and into the morning of March 3rd. These efforts are continuing today 3/3/25 with officials completing additional ground, water, and air searches. The investigation team continues to follow up on tips from community members. Information related to Dane’s disappearance can be reported to the tip line: 541-265-0669. Community members interested in helping with search efforts can continue to report to the staging area during daylight hours. Community staging area: Elks Toketee Illahee campground, 20590 Siletz Hwy, Siletz, Oregon 97380.
On Saturday March 1, 2025, at about 4:25pm, the Sheriff's Office responded to a report of 2-year-old Dane Paulsen who sent missing 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 Dane's disappearance. Through a community tip, this vehicle and operator were located and are no longer a point of interest. The Sheriff's Office thanked the community for sharing information and tips related to this segment of the 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 reported to be 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. 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
The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office thanked the community for their compassion and assistance. The Sheriff's Office teams, additional law enforcement and the community are working tirelessly to bring Dane home.
