SILETZ, Ore. — The father of a Lincoln County toddler whose disappearance launched a major search effort earlier this year has been charged with child neglect in connection with the child's drowning.

Dane Paulsen, 2 years old, was reported missing at the beginning of March. He was last seen playing in the front yard of his family's home along Highway 229 in the town of Siletz, law enforcement said at the time.

Dane's disappearance quickly resulted in search efforts from multiple law enforcement agencies — eventually including the FBI — members of the Lincoln County community, and volunteers from well outside the area.

Though the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office initially put out a description of a vehicle of interest in Dane's disappearance, investigators were able to find the vehicle

See Full Page