2-Year-Old Dies After Accidental Drowning Near Cave Junction
Deputies and family members performed CPR after the child was found unconscious in the Illinois River behind the family’s property.
AT A GLANCE
Incident: Accidental drowning
Victim: 2-year-old boy
Location: Illinois River near Burch Drive outside Cave Junction
Date: Oct. 14, 2026
Investigation: No evidence of foul play reported
Agency: Josephine County Sheriff’s Office
CAVE JUNCTION, Ore. — A 2-year-old boy died Wednesday after being found unconscious in the Illinois River near his family’s home outside Cave Junction, according to the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies were dispatched to a missing child report in the 100 block of Burch Drive at approximately 10:48 a.m. Oct. 14.
Before deputies arrived, family members located the child unconscious in the Illinois River, which runs behind the property.
Deputies and family members performed CPR until an American Medical Response ambulance arrived.
The child was transported to a local hospital, where he later died.
Detectives with the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene and investigated the circumstances surrounding the child’s death. A medicolegal death investigator from the Josephine County District Attorney’s Office also responded.
The sheriff’s office said there was no evidence of foul play as of Thursday’s release and described the incident as an accidental drowning.
The child’s name is not being released out of respect for the family. Next of kin have been notified.
“Our deepest condolences go out to the family and friends during this difficult time,” the sheriff’s office said.
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