A devastating incident in Lincoln County, Oregon has led to criminal charges after the drowning death of a 2‑year‑old boy. According to court filings and media reports, the boy—identified as Dane Paulsen—disappeared from his parents’ home near the Siletz River in early March 2025. A massive search ended when the boy’s body was recovered by divers roughly three miles downstream from the family’s property.
His father, Aaron Paulsen, has since been indicted on a charge of second‑degree child neglect—for allegedly leaving the child unattended “in or at a place … for such period of time as was likely to endanger the health or welfare” of the child.
Court documents indicate that Dane was last seen playing in the front yard of the family home off Highway 229, adjacent to the Siletz River. Investigators allege that the child gained unsupervised access to the riverbank and drowned after slipping or entering the water. The father faces allegations of failing to maintain supervision at a location with obvious water hazard.
A grand jury returned an indictment on October 16, 2025, and a warrant was issued for Aaron Paulsen’s arrest on October 20. He was released on his own recognizance with a bail set at $20,000.
Cases like this highlight the sobering fact that drownings often occur in familiar home settings—especially when children access nearby bodies of water unsupervised. The risk is heightened where a property borders a river or other natural water hazard.
Key takeaways around pool or river hazard prevention include:
Secure supervision—children under 5 should never be alone near water, even for minutes.
Barriers and exclusion zones—homes adjacent to rivers or ponds should include physical barriers and visual supervision systems.
Understanding legal duty—the presence of a water hazard places a heightened duty of care on parents or guardians.
When a child drowns due to unsupervised access to water, legal recourse may include claims of negligence or wrongful death, depending on jurisdiction and circumstances. Though this specific case led to criminal neglect charges, families may also consider civil action to examine whether negligence occurred in supervision or property hazard control.
In the context of aquatic incidents, attorneys evaluate factors such as:
Was the adult or caregiver actively supervising?
Was the child left unattended near a recognized hazard?
Was there a delay in noticing the child was missing?
Did the environment include a water hazard without appropriate mitigation?
At Aquatic Attorneys, led by nationally recognized lawyer Michael Haggard, Esq. of The Haggard Law Firm, we understand the profound heartbreak families endure after a child’s drowning. Our team investigates every angle—supervision failures, hazard control, property safeguards—to uncover whether steps could have been taken to prevent tragedy.
If your family has suffered the loss of a child in a drowning or near‑drowning incident, let us help you navigate the legal path toward answers, accountability, and healing. Contact us today for a free, confidential consultation.
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