CAVE JUNCTION, Ore. (Oct. 15, 2026) — A 2-year-old boy died Wednesday after being found unconscious in the Illinois River behind his family’s property near Cave Junction, according to the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies were dispatched at approximately 10:48 a.m. Oct. 14 to a report of a missing child in the 100 block of Burch Drive, just outside Cave Junction.
Before deputies arrived, family members located the boy unconscious in the Illinois River, which runs behind the family’s property.
Deputies and family members immediately performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in an effort to revive the child until an ambulance from American Medical Response arrived at the scene.
The boy was transported to a local hospital, where he later died.
Detectives with the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office responded to the property and conducted an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the child’s death.
A medicolegal death investigator from the Josephine County District Attorney’s Office also responded to the scene.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, investigators found no evidence of foul play as of the time of the agency’s announcement. The incident was reported as an accidental drowning.
Authorities confirmed that the child’s next of kin have been notified. The Sheriff’s Office said the boy’s name and the names of family members will not be released out of respect for the family’s privacy.
“Our deepest condolences go out to the family and friends during this difficult time,” the Sheriff’s Office said.
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