Six Months Since Disappearance, Authorities Ramp Up Efforts to Find Sebastian Rogers
Six months have passed since Sebastian Rogers, a 15-year-old autistic teenager, vanished from his Tennessee home. In a renewed effort to locate him, the FBI has announced a $50,000 reward for any information that could lead to his whereabouts.
Timeline of disappearance
Sebastian Rogers was last seen on the night of February 26. His mother, Katie Proudfoot, reported seeing her son around 10 p.m. at their home in Hendersonville. However, when she went to wake him the next morning, he was gone.
State and local authorities launched an extensive search operation immediately after his disappearance. The efforts included the use of helicopters, drones, search-and-rescue dogs, and ground teams. An Amber Alert was also issued. Despite these exhaustive measures, no trace of Sebastian was found, leading law enforcement to scale back their search efforts by March.
FBI’s involvement and public appeal
The FBI’s Memphis field office has now stepped in, offering a $50,000 reward for information that could lead to Sebastian’s location and return, or to the arrest and conviction of anyone responsible for his disappearance.
Family’s plea and public reaction
Eight days after Sebastian went missing, his mother and stepfather, Chris Proudfoot, spoke to the media for the first time. They received criticism for not speaking out sooner, to which they responded, “We shouldn’t be judged because no one knows what we’re going through.”
Sebastian’s biological father, Seth Rogers, has hired a private investigator to continue the search. He expressed concerns about the suspicious circumstances surrounding his son’s disappearance, noting that Sebastian’s phone, Nintendo Switch, and shoes were left behind. Despite these concerns, police have stated that there is no evidence of criminal activity.
Sebastian Rogers was last seen wearing a black sweatshirt, black sweatpants, and black, square-framed glasses.
How to help
Anyone with information regarding Sebastian Rogers’ whereabouts is urged to contact the Sumner County Sheriff’s Office at 615-451-3838, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation at 1-800-TBI-FIND orTipsToTBI@tbi.tn.gov, or their local FBI office. Tips can also be submitted online at tips.fbi.gov or at the nearest American embassy or consulate.
The search for Sebastian Rogers continues as his family and authorities hold out hope for his safe return.