Monday, Feb. 26: The search for Sebastian begins
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The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) issued an Endangered Child Alert at approximately 11:17 a.m. on behalf of the Sumner County Sheriff’s Office. In the alert, investigators wrote that Sebastian was last seen earlier that day near Stafford Court in Hendersonville.
He was described as wearing a black sweatshirt, black sweatpants and glasses. Close to a dozen agencies including the TBI, Tennessee Highway Patrol, Nashville Fire Department, City of Hendersonville’s first responders, Sumner County Sheriff’s Office, and Shackle Island Volunteer Fire all began searching for the teen on Monday, Feb. 26.
Sumner County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) Director Ken Weidner said there were over 200 searchers on the ground that day with multiple K-9 teams, mounted units, helicopter crews and even drones being deployed.
There was a glimpse of hope that day as search dogs tracked a scent, but it turned out to be a false alert. Investigators also drained a pond to the east of Sebastian’s home and found nothing.
As the search stretched into the afternoon, the TBI sent out another tweet at 4:35 p.m. asking residents living in the area around Beech High School and along Long Hollow Pike to check their outbuildings, garages and cars in case Sebastian was using any as hiding places.
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“I can’t recall off the top of my head when the last search like this was,” Chief Deputy Eric Craddock with the Sumner County Sheriff’s Office told News 2. “Obviously, this one is exponentially more important being a child who does have autism.”
The search teams covered a nearly five-mile radius in the Beech and Shackle Island area.
The search for Sebastian continued Tuesday, Feb. 27, with the TBI upgrading the alert level to an AMBER Alert around 3:25 p.m. Officials said the decision to upgrade the alert was “based on additional investigative information developed during the search.”
The urgency of the search was already increasing as colder temperatures were expected to move into the area and authorities were unsure whether or not Sebastian was properly dressed for the weather.
Dozens of agencies continued searching and began employing unique tactics suggested by community members such as playing Sebastian’s favorite song, “Eye of the Tiger.” A potential sighting was reported on Newmans Trail, but officials confirmed it was not Sebastian.
By Feb. 27, searchers had covered over 2,000 miles on foot and went through Sebastian’s home multiple times. In a press conference, authorities continued to urge residents to check their surveillance cameras and report any possible information that could help lead to Sebastian.
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Officials continued looking for the missing teen amid rain and 40-degree temperatures on Wednesday, Feb. 28. Due to growing public interest, the TBI put out a statement explaining why Sebastian’s parents were unable to share more details about the missing teen:
Thursday, Feb. 29: Search for Sebastian hits four days
In a press conference Thursday, Feb. 29, officials said they had received several tips amid calls for people to check their surveillance cameras, but none were confirmed sightings of Sebastian.
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As the search for Sebastian entered its sixth day with officials stating that there still had not been any sightings, the sheriff’s office told News 2 an anonymous group of business owners in the Nashville area had pledged a minimum cash reward of $3,000 for information.
Sunday, March 3: Sebastian’s mother and stepfather speak out
The reward for information was raised to $3,500 on Sunday, March 3. Sebastian’s mother and stepfather also spoke publicly for the first time that day, telling a podcast host more details about his disappearance.
Authorities announced Monday, March 4 they were scaling back the ground search for Sebastian and transitioning to an investigation after a week of intensive efforts and still no signs of the missing teen.
“This does not diminish our commitment to finding Sebastian,” Craddock said during a press conference. “This is simply us transitioning from the ground search to the investigative side.”
During the March 4 press conference, Craddock also said there were “no leads, no details to indicate that Sebastian is not alive.”
Thursday, March 7: Officials search Kentucky landfill
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The search for Sebastian took investigators to Kentucky on Thursday, March 7, where they searched a landfill. According to the sheriff’s office, the landfill in White Plains, Kentucky, was where trash went from Sebastian’s neighborhood in the Beech area.
Officials called the search of the landfill a “precautionary measure to eliminate possible options and questions” and said there was “no specific information” indicating evidence related to the search for Sebastian was there.
The search
concluded that evening, with authorities later stating that it did not provide any additional clues as to what happened to Sebastian.
“While we had hoped for a different outcome, our commitment to finding Sebastian remains unwavering,” said Sumner County Sheriff Sonny Weatherford. “We will continue to explore all available avenues and resources to bring closure to this case and provide answers to Sebastian’s family and loved ones.”
After a full week without any new updates in the case, the TBI released additional information letting the public know more about what was going on in the investigation.
At that stage in the investigation, the agency said there were still few clues indicating what happened to Sebastian or where he may be. Officials also noted that Sebastian’s family was being cooperative and there was still no proof of any criminal element.
Sebastian’s father, Seth Rogers, began searching Natchez Trace State Park for his son on Thursday, March 21 after saying “somebody told” Sebastian’s mother to search the area, which is more than 100 miles from Sumner County.
“I’ve been all around Nashville. I’ve been passing out flyers, it’s time to start branching out farther. I just want to find my son,” Seth Rogers told News 2. “I’m not going to give up hope.”
While nothing was found at the park on Thursday, March 21, Sebastian’s father organized multiple other search parties in the days following.
Friday, March 22: Sebastian’s mother releases statement amid calls for more resources
As the search for missing Missouri student Riley Strain came to an end on Friday, March 22, several online content creators who had been aiding in the search started calling for efforts to turn to finding Sebastian.
A mom and TikToker with 92,000 followers took to social media to
call for the help of the United Cajun Navy, a nonprofit organization that had been involved in the search for Strain.
Sumner County residents call on extra resources for missing teen after search for Riley Strain ends
With Sebastian missing for almost four weeks by Friday, March 22, his mother, Katie Proudfoot, also provided a statement to News 2.
Monday, March 25: United Cajun Navy joins search
The United Cajun Navy began setting up headquarters at
90 Volunteer Drive in Hendersonvilleon Monday, March 25 after answering calls to join in the search for Sebastian. The nonprofit organization said it is working independently from the sheriff’s office.
The United Cajun Navy was supposed to hold a safety briefing on Tuesday, March 26 for those wanting to volunteer, but it was
postponed due to “unsafe weather conditions.”
The first organized volunteer search for Sebastian launched Wednesday, March 27. The turnout was enough for an all-day search, with efforts coming to an end around 3 p.m. Volunteer search crews planned to head out again on Thursday, March 28.
UNSOLVED TENNESSEE: Find more of the state’s cold cases, missing persons, and other mysteries →
“We normally do not deploy twice in the same area, but the outpouring was so strong for us to stay and look for Sebastian (that) we said, ‘You know what? Since we are here, let’s do it,’” Kevin LaFond, Press and Communications Officer with the UCN, said.
Friday, March 29: United Cajun Navy calls off search
The United Cajun Navy called off its search for Sebastian on Friday, March 29. In a
statement on social media, the organization said the decision to “pull back and regroup” was made due to “increasing safety concerns” and the “upcoming Easter holiday.”
The safety concerns were reportedly related to alleged death threats.
United Cajun Navy calls off search for Sebastian Rogers due to ‘safety concerns’
“This decision was not taken lightly [and] is made with the safety of all volunteers in mind,” the United Cajun Navy wrote. “We want to thank all the volunteers that planned to be out searching today.”
Tuesday, April 2: Officials provide update in investigation
Officials with the Sumner County Sheriff’s Office held a press conference on Tuesday, April 2 to answer questions about the ongoing search for Sebastian.
As of April 2, Chief Deputy Eric Craddock said there still was no evidence pointing to foul play in Sebastian’s disappearance, but authorities were “not ruling anything out.” Investigators were continuing to follow multiple leads on Tuesday, with the TBI having received 314 tips.
TBI spokesperson Susan Niland said some of those tips were related to misinformation and rumors being spread on social media. She asked that the community continue to share information, but about things like conversations people may have had with the missing teen, where he liked to go and “any people he may have mentioned that are in his life.”
Officials also confirmed that a pair of glasses had been found during Tuesday’s press conference. However, Craddock said authorities were still working to determine if they were connected to Sebastian.
Sebastian Rogers: Officials ‘not ruling anything out’ in search for missing teen
“My hope and prayer is that Sebastian is still alive. We’re going to continue to work on this investigation and follow every lead that comes in,” Craddock said. “Some of this may revert back to us going over some things that we’ve already done for the sixth, seventh, eighth time. A fresh set of eyes never hurt anything.”
As far as the United Cajun Navy, Craddock said the sheriff’s office had not been made aware of any threats made against the organization.
Few other updates have been provided in the search for Sebastian. However, the public has continued to push to keep the case in the spotlight by putting up signs in their yards and
posting fliers from the sheriff’s office in local businesses and on social media outlets.
Numerous vigils have also been held in the weeks since Sebastian went missing, with community members
wearing green on Friday, March 1 to support Sebastian and his family.
Sebastian is 5 feet, 5 inches tall and 120 pounds with dirty blond hair. If you have seen Sebastian or have info about his whereabouts, call the Sumner County Sheriff’s Office at
(615) 451-3838 or TBI at
1-800-TBI-FIND.
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