NewsNation

Sebastian Rogers: No evidence of foul play in teen’s disappearance

(NewsNation) — The search for a 15-year-old missing autistic teen from Tennessee is ongoing officials with the Sumner County Sheriff’s Office said at a press conference Tuesday, where they stressed that Sebastian Rogers has not been forgotten.

So far, there has not been evidence of foul play connected to Rogers’ disappearance, Sumner County Sheriff’s Deputy Eric Craddock said, though he added that authorities are not ruling anything out at this point.


Rogers’ parents have been cooperative as the investigation continues, Craddock said.

“We understand the anxiety and concern this case has caused in the community,” Craddock said Tuesday. “…We are doing everything we can to find Sebastian and bring him home.”

Rogers was reported missing by his mom Feb. 26 and an AMBER ALERT was issued for him the next day.

Since then, NewsNation local affiliate WKRN writes, authorities have covered “miles on the ground” searching; issued numerous search warrants and analyzed available cellphone and digital evidence.

Eventually, the ground search was scaled back into an investigation, WKRN said. Investigators on March 7 searched a landfill in White Plains, Kentucky, where trash from Rogers’ neighborhood goes. WKRN says officials called that a “precautionary measure to eliminate possible options and questions,” though nothing came from it.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has received 314 tips about Rogers.

While the nonprofit organization United Cajun Navy was also looking for Rogers, they called off a recent search because of what they said were “safety concerns.” Volunteers with the United Cajun Navy, which had been working independently from the Sumner County Sheriff’s Office, reportedly received death threats, WKRN wrote.

Rogers is described as being  5 feet, 5 inches tall and 120 pounds with dirty blond hair. He was last seen wearing a black sweatshirt and black sweatpants.

Those who have seen Rogers, or who have information about his whereabouts, can call the Sumner County Sheriff’s Office at (615) 451-3838 or TBI at 1-800-TBI-FIND. Susan Niland, public information officer for the TBI, warned people to watch out for misinformation on social media as the case continues.