Authorities and 140 volunteers desperately search for Oregon boy, 2, who mysteriously vanished from front yard

Authorities launched a massive search for a “friendly and fearless” 2-year-old Oregon boy after he mysteriously went missing while playing in his front yard Saturday afternoon.

Toddler Dane Paulsen vanished from his home near Highway 229 just north of Siletz around 4:30 p.m., setting off a desperate effort by multiple agencies, including the FBI, and more than 100 volunteers to find the boy, according to the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office.

He was out of sight of his parents while in his front yard when he disappeared, the sheriff’s office said.

“Dane is friendly and fearless, and is comfortable around strangers and water, but cannot swim. Dane is known to love water and vehicles,” the sheriff’s office said.

The agency said at this time, there is no evidence to suggest foul play is involved.

But investigators are tracking down several leads as divers search the Siletz River near his home.

Over the last 24 hours, four boats, divers and drones each have contributed to the effort, as well as six police dogs, 40 investigators and nearly 140 volunteers.

Local resident Randy James and his German Shepherd took part in the search Sunday.

James told Oregonlive.com that while boats were in the river, volunteers were spread 10 to 15 feet apart to comb over creek beds, brush and “anywhere the child could have gone.”

“It’s good to help out. The community all came together to search,” James told the outlet Sunday.“…No one deserves to have a missing family member.”

Authorities said a driver in a vehicle near the child’s home about 30 minutes before the disappearance was initially sought by police, but after the motorist was located, he was “no longer a point of interest” in the case.

As of Sunday evening, 382 acres and 283 miles have been covered, the sheriff’s office reported.

“We thank our community for their compassion and assistance,” the sheriff’s department stated. “Our team and the community are working tirelessly to bring Dane home.”

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