In a tragic case that has captivated the community of Lincoln County, Oregon, a two-year-old boy named Dne Pollson was found dead in the Clet’s River, approximately three miles from his home. The discovery of his body on March 11, 2025, followed an extensive ten-day search involving local authorities and numerous volunteers, after Dne was reported missing on March 1 while playing in his family’s backyard.
According to the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, Dne was last seen wearing a gray fuzzy hoodie, black pants, and blue and white shoes. Initial searches focused on the surrounding area, including dense woods, neighboring properties, and the riverbank, where responders found critical evidence, including a shoe print believed to belong to Dne. Despite exhaustive efforts, including the use of drones and scent-tracking dogs, it was not until the volunteer diver Juan Heredia, from Angel’s Recovery Dive Team, joined the search that Dne’s body was located in the river.
The medical examiner’s office later confirmed that Dne’s cause of death was drowning, with no additional trauma found on his body. Initially, law enforcement officials stated that there was no evidence to suggest criminal wrongdoing related to Dne’s death. However, as the investigation progressed, the case was referred to the district attorney’s office for further review.
On October 16, 2025, a grand jury indicted Dne’s father, Aaron Pollson, on a charge of child neglect, a class A misdemeanor. The indictment alleges that Pollson unlawfully and with criminal negligence left Dne unattended in a place likely to endanger the child’s health or welfare. The district attorney’s office confirmed that a minimum of five out of seven jurors determined there was sufficient evidence for the charge.
Pollson’s arrest has sparked significant discussion and polarization within the community. Supporters argue that the family has already suffered enough following the loss of their child, while others assert that accountability is necessary in cases of neglect. The legal proceedings have drawn attention to the complexities of child neglect laws, especially in situations involving unintentional harm.
Dne’s mother, Sheet Jackson, expressed her belief that there is more to the story, asserting that her husband had no role in their son’s disappearance. She recounted the moments leading up to Dne’s vanishing, describing her own actions while checking on a family member in a trailer located in their backyard. Jackson’s testimony raises questions about the care arrangements for Dne during that brief period, which investigators are likely to scrutinize as they gather evidence.
Legal experts have noted that cases of child neglect can be particularly challenging to prosecute, especially when the charged individual is a grieving parent. The circumstances surrounding Dne’s death, including the family’s claims of suspicious activity in the neighborhood prior to his disappearance, have further complicated the narrative. Concerns have been raised about the adequacy of the initial investigation, especially regarding reported sightings of individuals acting suspiciously near the family’s home.
As the case unfolds, it is clear that both the community and legal authorities will be closely monitoring the developments. The implications of the charges against Aaron Pollson extend beyond the courtroom, touching on deep emotional scars and societal questions about parental responsibility and the prevention of similar tragedies in the future. Pollson has been released on bail set at $20,000 and is scheduled for arraignment, as the legal process moves forward in a case that continues to resonate deeply with a grieving community.
