Dane Paulsen 2 year old boy in Lincoln County, Siletz, Oregon ‘suddenly’ goes missing while playing in front yard sparking mass search as toddler remains un-accounted.
A sprawling search is underway for a missing two-year-old Oregon boy who seemingly disappeared in broad daylight while playing in his family’s front yard, Saturday afternoon.
Dane Paulsen was last seen playing in the yard near milepost 21 on Siletz River Highway, aka Route 229, in Siletz, OR, around 4:25 p.m. on Saturday, according to the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office.
At the time of the toddler’s disappearance, the 2 year old was out of sight of his parents while in his front yard when he disappeared, the sheriff’s office said.
Investigators rule out 2 year old Siletz, Oregon boy being abducted by driver of interest
In what could now be a case of an abduction, authorities identified a late ’90s gold-colored station wagon’ as a vehicle of interest. The vehicle was seen in the area some 30 minutes before the boy went missing.
The motorist was located, he was ‘no longer a point of interest’ in the case, Oregonlive.com reported.
At the time of his disappearance, Dane was wearing a gray fuzzy hoodie with ears, black pants, and blue-and-white shoes. He has brown hair and green eyes.
‘Dane is friendly and fearless, and is comfortable around strangers and water, but cannot swim. Dane is known to love water and vehicles,’ the sheriff’s office said.
The agency to date has said no evidence existed to suggest foul play was involved.
Lincoln County Sheriff Adam Shanks told KATU that investigators were tracking down several leads as divers search the Siletz River near the family home.
Over the last 24 hours, four boats, divers and drones each have contributed to the effort, as well as six police dogs, 40 investigators and nearly 140 volunteers.
Approximately 100 to 150 community volunteers had taking to searching a large area surrounding the property, with authorities continuing to follow up on tips related to the vehicle of interest.
Where is missing 2 year old Oregon boy?
Responding to why an Amber Alert had yet to be issues, Shanks said: ‘Based on the information available at this time, the only information our investigators have is a vehicle of interest (no license plate or further details) seen in the area prior to the child’s disappearance.
Adding: ‘However, there is no confirmed link between this vehicle and Dane Paulsen’s disappearance.’
Authorities reiterated late Sunday that the wanted driver was no longer a person of interest.
The search continued on Sunday with about 100 volunteers from Lincoln, Benton, and Lane counties, plus a canine specialist from Polk County.
Come Sunday, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office issued urged community volunteers to avoid the primary search area, which stretches from the Steel Bridge to Huhtala Road.
Officials have confirmed they were conducting methodical searches of the primary area, utilizing drones, tracking dogs, watercraft, and human behavior tracking resources.
Multiple agencies – including the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, Siletz Valley Fire, Oregon State Police, Newport Police Department, Lincoln City Police Department, and Lincoln County SAR – are actively involved in the search.
The FBI is also assisting in the investigation.
The search effort includes both ground personnel and aerial drones equipped with cameras and thermal imaging technology.
Additionally, marine deputies from Lincoln and Clackamas County Sheriff’s Offices are assisting along the Siletz River.
Authorities urge anyone with information about Dane’s disappearance or the vehicle of interest to contact the Tip Line at 541-265-0669 or the non-emergency dispatch at 541-265-0777.
