Father Of Drowned Toddler Faces Child Neglect Charges

On October 16, 2025, a Lincoln County Grand Jury returned a Secret Indictment charging 40-year-old Aaron Paulsen with one count of Child Neglect in the Second Degree. The indictment results from an extensive investigation by Lincoln County’s Major Crime Team, led by the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, into the disappearance of Paulsen’s 2-year-old son, Dane, in March 2025.  

The Lincoln County Grand Jury consists of 7 residents picked randomly through the Lincoln County Circuit Court process of jury service. The Grand Jury is responsible for listening to and evaluating testimony to determine whether the evidence is such that it would warrant a conviction by a trial jury. The Grand Jury also has the authority to request additional evidence or direct further investigation. After deliberating and voting privately, a Grand Jury returns a true bill charging an individual with a crime only if at least five out of seven jurors determine there is sufficient evidence to warrant a conviction.

In Paulsen’s case, testimony and evidence regarding the death of Dane Paulsen was presented to the Grand Jury on October 16, 2025. After listening to the evidence, the Grand Jury deliberated and chose to indict Paulsen with one count of Child Neglect in the Second Degree. The District Attorney’s Office then prepared the indictment for signature. Based on the Grand Jury Indictment, the Lincoln County Circuit Court issued an arrest warrant for Paulsen. Paulsen was subsequently cited and released by Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office. Paulsen is scheduled to be arraigned on the indictment on Monday, November 3, 2025.

In March 2025, the disappearance and later recovery of Dane Paulsen in the Siletz River shook the local communities, first responders, and searchers. In collaboration with other local responders, community members, and agencies throughout Oregon and beyond, worked tirelessly to search the local area. In partnership with other law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, conducted a criminal investigation congruent to the search efforts.

Before his disappearance, Dane was reported to be playing out of sight in his yard. Evidence suggests he wandered down to the river. While evidence consistently pointed to the Siletz River, 40 investigators continued to pursue leads by interviewing, investigating, and following up on community tips. Countless tips lead to investigative interviews, review of surveillance footage, and further investigations on possible leads.

At the conclusion of this multi-agency investigation, evidence pointed to Dane being at the river’s edge before falling in. An autopsy confirmed his cause of death was drowning with no additional trauma to his body. Following the completion of the investigation, the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office submitted the investigation and all evidence to the District Attorney (DA) to review this case in its entirety. It is standard for the Lincoln County DA’s Office to review all death investigations.