The father of a toddler who went missing and was later found dead in the Siletz River back in March has now been charged in connection with his child’s death.
In March, a diver discovered 2-year-old Dane Paulsen after an 11-day search, according to KATU News.
Court documents filed by the Lincoln County District Attorney’s Office show that Aaron Paulsen has been charged with second-degree child neglect.
Court records allege that Paulsen “had custody or control of Dane Paulsen, did unlawfully and with criminal negligence leave Dane Paulsen, a child under the age of ten years, unattended in or at a place, for such period of time as was likely to endanger the health or welfare of said child.”
Under Oregon law, second-degree child neglect is a Class A misdemeanor. KATU News reports that their team has reached out to the Lincoln County District Attorney’s Office multiple times for clarification since a grand jury was held on October 16.
Dane was first reported missing on March 1, after being last seen playing in the front yard of his family’s home.
“So far, the evidence available indicates Dane was at the river’s edge before his disappearance,” Sgt. Jason Spano with the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office said during a press conference at the time. “Because of this, we will be focusing the majority of our ongoing resources on searching the Siletz River.”
Search crews covered hundreds of miles on land and 14 miles of the Siletz River during the 11-day effort. An autopsy later confirmed that Dane’s cause of death was drowning.
KATU News reached out to Aaron Paulsen, who declined to comment on the charge. He is scheduled to appear in court on Monday, November 3.
Originally reported by KATU News.
