An Oregon father faces a misdemeanor charge of neglect following the tragic discovery of his toddler’s body in the Siletz River after an extensive 11-day search earlier this year.
Aaron Paulsen is accused of leaving his son, Dane Paulsen, unattended, which allegedly endangered the child’s health and safety, according to court documents. The child was under ten years old, raising concerns about his supervision, KATU has reported.
Two-year-old Dane was first reported missing on March 1, as covered by CrimeOnline. He had last been seen playing in the front yard of his home. Despite an immediate and comprehensive search effort, authorities did not find him until March 11, when his body was discovered approximately three miles downstream.
An autopsy later confirmed that the cause of death was drowning, according to KATU.
When approached for comment, Aaron Paulsen declined to speak with reporters. Meanwhile, Dane’s mother, Chamet Jackson, expressed lingering concerns about the investigation. She mentioned that Paulsen had just returned home when Dane vanished.
In a conversation with KPTV, Jackson shared her doubts about the official findings and suggested there might be more to the incident. She recounted that on the day Dane disappeared, she was checking on her father in a nearby trailer when she heard Dane calling for her. Tragically, by the time she returned outside, her son was missing.
“I’ve asked so many times throughout this entire time and they’ve all pretty much been like, I’m reaching or I’m crazy, or you’re some hysterical mother who lives on Siletz reservation. Some native kid. He doesn’t matter to them,” Jackson said.
“I just want justice for my son and answers for Dane,” she said. “He deserves that.”
Aaron Paulsen is set to be arraigned on the misdemeanor charge on Monday.
