Father Aaron Paulsen was allegedly ‘binge watching’ TV show while toddler vanished and drowned in river

The tragic case of a toddler who vanished from his rural home and drowned in a nearby river in Siletz, Oregon, has shocked the community. Aaron Paulsen, the father of 2-year-old Dane, is facing child neglect charges in connection with his son’s death. According to court documents obtained by KATU, Paulsen was allegedly “binge-watching” a TV show when Dane walked out of the back sliding glass door of their riverside property.

Dane’s mother, Cha Met Jackson, had entrusted Paulsen with watching their son while she was away. She later heard Dane knocking on the door of the trailer but did not immediately respond, thinking he was outside. It was revealed that Dane was left unattended for about 15 minutes before his parents realized he was missing.

Law enforcement discovered a toddler footprint at the edge of the river near the couple’s home along with a toy Dane had been playing with before he disappeared. The parents were aware that Dane loved the water and was not fearful of it, but did not know how to swim. After an exhaustive 11-day search, Dane’s body was found in the Siletz River by a diver.

Neighbors had previously reported instances of the children playing outside unsupervised, raising concerns about neglect. One neighbor even called the police before the family moved to Siletz, stating that their daughter was often left playing outside unattended for extended periods.

In a disturbing incident, a teenager found Dane standing alone on a highway wearing only a diaper and a blue sweater. The teenager brought the child back to his home, highlighting the lack of supervision.

Paulsen was indicted by a grand jury in October 2025 and pleaded not guilty to the child neglect charges. The state of Oregon plans to call 20 witnesses to testify at his trial, indicating the seriousness of the case.

The tragic loss of young Dane serves as a reminder of the importance of child supervision and safety. The community mourns the loss of a precious life and hopes that justice will be served in this heartbreaking case.