PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Nearly seven months after the tragic drowning of 2-year-old Dane Paulsen, the boy’s father, Aaron Paulsen, is now facing criminal charges. On Monday, he pleaded not guilty to second-degree child neglect in a Lincoln County courtroom following a grand jury indictment last week.
Father Accused of Leaving Son Unattended
According to court documents, prosecutors allege that Aaron Paulsen left his young son unattended for a period of time likely to endanger his safety. Lincoln County District Attorney Jenna Wallace outlined the state’s case, saying the evidence will show that Paulsen saw his son leave the house but did not follow him.
“What the state anticipates the evidence will show is that his father watched him walk out the door, knowing there was no other adult outside to supervise,” Wallace said. “He did not follow after him, and Dane was left unattended for about 15 minutes before his parents realized he was missing.”
Also Read
Disappearance and Search Efforts
The case dates back to March 1, 2025, when Dane disappeared from the family’s home in Siletz, Oregon. His disappearance triggered a massive search operation that stretched across several days and involved hundreds of volunteers, search dogs, and rescue divers.
Photos from that period show teams scanning the Siletz River, combing nearby woods, and deploying boats and drones to find any trace of the missing boy. The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office coordinated the multi-agency search, which drew support from local fire departments and community members.
After 10 days of searching, diver Juan Heredia located Dane’s body approximately three miles downstream from the family’s home on March 11. The Lincoln County Medical Examiner later confirmed the cause of death as accidental drowning.
At the time, officials said there was no evidence of foul play and emphasized that the incident appeared to be a tragic accident.
From Investigation to Indictment
Following standard procedure, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office submitted its full investigative report to the District Attorney’s Office for review. Over the months that followed, prosecutors analyzed the evidence and ultimately presented the case to a grand jury on October 16.
The grand jury later returned a “true bill” indictment—meaning at least five of the seven jurors agreed there was sufficient evidence to move forward with charges. As a result, Aaron Paulsen was charged with one count of second-degree child neglect, a misdemeanor offense under Oregon law.
Court Appearance and Legal Context
During his court appearance on November 2, Paulsen entered a not guilty plea. He did not speak at length, and the judge set further proceedings to determine the next steps in the case.
Under Oregon law, second-degree child neglect applies when a parent “knowingly leaves a child unattended in a situation likely to endanger their health or welfare.” Convictions can result in up to one year in jail and fines, though sentencing outcomes often depend on the case details and prior record.
Community Response and Continuing Grief
The case has stirred deep emotions in the Siletz community, which rallied for weeks earlier this year in hopes of finding the missing boy. Neighbors, friends, and volunteers from nearby towns had joined the extensive search, some saying they were devastated when the boy’s body was found.
Many community members expressed surprise at the criminal charge, viewing the drowning as a heartbreaking accident. Others said they trust the legal process to determine whether negligence played a role.
Ongoing Developments
As of now, no trial date has been set. The Lincoln County District Attorney’s Office has not commented further beyond confirming that the investigation remains active and that the charge reflects their findings from months of review.
Aaron Paulsen remains out of custody while awaiting future court appearances.
Authorities urge the public to allow the judicial process to unfold, noting that the case continues to evolve as new evidence and testimonies are considered.
Stay with KOIN 6 News for updates as this case develops in the coming weeks.
