Sad, 3-year-old boy found dead after wandering away from home, officials say

For Immediate Release

Tragedy in The Dalles: 3-Year-Old Boy Found Deceased in Columbia River After Wandering from Hotel

THE DALLES, Oregon – A family vacation ended in heartbreak this past weekend after a 3-year-old boy, who had wandered away from a local hotel, was found deceased in the Columbia River, officials have confirmed.

The devastating incident began to unfold on the morning of Saturday, June 7, 2025, when emergency services in The Dalles received a report of a missing child. The boy, nearly four years old, had been staying with his family, who were visiting from Washington, at the Columbia River Hotel and Conference Center.

According to a statement from The Dalles Police Department, the child managed to leave his family’s room and get outside the hotel. A frantic search was immediately launched by the family and local authorities.

Tragically, the search concluded when the boy was discovered in the Columbia River near the Oregon shoreline. He was quickly transported to Adventist Health Columbia Gorge Hospital. Despite exhaustive life-saving efforts, the child could not be revived.

The Dalles Police expressed their “profound sorrow to the family and all of those impacted by this tragedy.” The Columbia Gorge Major Crimes Team is now leading an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death, with the Wasco County District Attorney’s Office also being consulted.

In a statement released to the media, the grieving family described their son as “quick, strong, fearless and happy.” They have requested privacy as they navigate this unimaginable loss.

Authorities have not released further details at this time, pending the ongoing investigation. This tragic event has cast a somber shadow over the local community and serves as a heartbreaking reminder of the speed at which a child can wander into danger.