Diver finds body of missing toddler in freezing river

In the northwestern United States, a missing two-year-old child was found by a volunteer diver after a large-scale search, but was unfortunately confirmed dead. This incident is deeply regrettable and highlights the vulnerability of young children.

The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office stated that Dane Paulsen was found in the Siletz River in Oregon on Tuesday (Wednesday AEST) by a volunteer diver, ten days after he disappeared from his family's yard. The discovery location was nearly 5 kilometers downstream from the Paulsen family's property, which is located north of Siletz, Oregon. Siletz is situated on the Oregon coast, approximately 200 kilometers south of Portland, making the search area challenging due to its remote location.

Lincoln County Sheriff Adam Shanks said, "We extend our condolences to the family who are enduring unbearable grief. We sincerely thank the search teams and the community for the support and dedication they have shown during this difficult time, although we wished it were under different circumstances." The sheriff's statement underscores the community's collective sorrow and the dedication of those involved in the search effort.

Following Dane's disappearance earlier this month, hundreds of volunteers and emergency personnel from multiple state and federal law enforcement agencies gathered together, using specialized equipment, dogs, drones, and boats to search for the boy. Juan Heredia, founder of the non-profit organization "Adventures With Purpose" and a search and rescue diving instructor, said he found Dane after diving for two hours in the icy river, demonstrating the extreme conditions faced by the search teams.

When asked why he felt compelled to help the Paulsen family, Heredia said, "A lot of people put a lot of trust in me. I wanted to help this family get closure." According to local media reports, Heredia stated that he found Dane near a tree at the bottom of the river, an area that had previously been searched by law enforcement. After finding Dane, Heredia spoke with Dane's mother. "She came up to me and said 'thank you,' and then we cried together," Heredia said. "(That was) a horrible moment, beyond words," illustrating the profound emotional impact of the discovery on everyone involved.