Lincoln County, OR – An Oregon father has been indicted on child neglect charges months after his 2-year-old son was found drowned in a river two miles from their home. Prosecutors say Aaron Scott Paulsen, 39, failed to properly supervise his son, Dane Paulsen, before the toddler disappeared in early March.
The Incident: Toddler Disappears and Is Later Found Dead
According to the Lincoln County District Attorney’s Office, the tragedy began on March 1, 2024, when 2-year-old Dane Paulsen was last seen playing in the backyard of his family’s home. A massive community-wide search was launched involving volunteers, law enforcement, and divers.
Ten days later, on March 11, the search ended in heartbreak. A volunteer diver discovered Dane’s body in a river about two miles from the family home. An autopsy later confirmed the cause of death as drowning.
Authorities say the toddler had been missing for several days before his body was recovered, prompting questions about how the child was able to wander off unnoticed.
Investigation and Charges Filed
Following months of investigation, a Lincoln County grand jury indicted Aaron Scott Paulsen on October 16 for second-degree child neglect. Prosecutors allege that Paulsen failed to supervise his son, leaving the 2-year-old unattended in circumstances that endangered his safety.
The indictment states Paulsen, who was “in custody or control of Dane Paulsen,” “did unlawfully and with criminal negligence leave him unattended in or at a place for such period of time as was likely to endanger the health or welfare of said child.”
Authorities issued a warrant for Paulsen’s arrest on October 23, with bail set at $20,000. He is scheduled to be arraigned on November 3, 2024 in Lincoln County Circuit Court.
The charge of second-degree child neglect is a Class A misdemeanor in Oregon, punishable by up to one year in jail and fines up to $6,250.
Family’s Reaction and Conflicting Accounts
Dane’s mother, Cha Met Jackson, has publicly voiced her disagreement with the prosecutor’s decision, saying she does not believe the case was handled appropriately. Jackson insists that Dane’s death may not have been accidental, and she has urged authorities to investigate other possible suspects.
“Dane goes out the back door and comes straight to the trailer, I hear him go ‘[baby jibberish],’ and I was like, ‘Oh, bubby, I’m coming,’” Jackson told reporters. “Then he laughs so oddly, like somebody’s tickling him. And then it’s silence. And I was like, ‘Dane? Dane?’”
Jackson told investigators that she noticed an unidentified man watching her and Dane from a distance before the child’s disappearance. She also claimed that another man was seen taking pictures of nearby trail cameras about two weeks earlier.
Despite these claims, police have not confirmed any additional suspects or evidence supporting foul play.
Background: A Community Search and Lingering Questions
The case gained attention across Oregon earlier this year as hundreds of community members joined the search for the missing boy. Law enforcement agencies, including the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, coordinated with volunteer divers and drone teams to search nearby rivers and wooded areas.
Investigators said there was no immediate sign of abduction, and the focus remained on how Dane wandered away. However, the boy’s mother continues to push for a deeper investigation, suggesting that “something more” may have happened.
As of now, Paulsen remains the only person charged in connection with the child’s death.
Ongoing Legal Proceedings
Prosecutors have not indicated whether additional charges could follow, but the case remains open pending further evidence. The arraignment on November 3 will determine whether Paulsen enters a plea or requests a jury trial.
Legal experts say child neglect cases involving accidental deaths are complex, as prosecutors must prove that the parent acted with criminal negligence rather than mere carelessness.
Paulsen has not commented publicly, and it is unclear whether he has obtained legal representation.
Conclusion
The drowning death of 2-year-old Dane Paulsen has left his Oregon community devastated and divided over accountability. As Aaron Paulsen faces legal consequences for alleged neglect, Dane’s mother continues to seek answers, insisting that her son’s death may involve more than what authorities have concluded.
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