A sprawling search is underway for a missing two-year-old boy who disappeared while playing in his yard in broad daylight.
Dane Paulsen was last seen playing in the yard near milepost 21 on Siletz River Highway, aka Route 229, in Siletz, Oregon, around 4:25 p.m. on Saturday, according to the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office.
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.
Authorities identified a late ’90s gold-colored station wagon as a vehicle of interest, as a car matching that description was seen in the area before the boy went missing.
Lincoln County Sheriff Adam Shanks told KATU that investigators are currently working in operational periods, with further updates expected late Sunday afternoon.
Approximately 100 to 150 community volunteers have searched a large area surrounding the property, and authorities continue to follow up on tips related to the vehicle of interest.
In response to inquiries about why an Amber Alert has not been issued, Shanks stated: ‘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.
He continued: ‘However, there is no confirmed link between this vehicle and Dane Paulsen’s disappearance.’
Dane Paulsen was last seen playing in the yard in Siletz, Oregon, around 4:25 p.m. on Saturday
The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office reports Dane was last seen playing near milepost 21 on Siletz River Highway, also known as Oregon Route 229
Pictured: A view of Siletz, Oregon where Dane was last seen
The search continued on Sunday with about 100 volunteers from Lincoln, Benton, and Lane counties, plus a canine specialist from Polk County.
At 10am Sunday, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office issued an update urging 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.
Community volunteers were asked to gather at the Elks Campground, where they will receive direction from the park host.
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.
