AMBER Alert: Law enforcement scaling back search for Sebastian Rogers
SUMNER COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) — Authorities announced Monday they are scaling back the search for 15-year-old Sebastian Rogers and transitioning to an investigation after a week of intensive efforts.
Hundreds of crews have searched thousands of miles around the Beech area in Hendersonville where Sebastian was reported missing on Monday, Feb. 26, but more than a week later, officials said there still have been no sightings of the teen.
AMBER Alert: Search for Sebastian Rogers enters 2nd week
According to Deputy Chief Eric Craddock with the Sumner County Sheriff’s Office, the decision to scale back efforts does not “come lightly.”
“This does not diminish our commitment to finding Sebastian,” Craddock said. “This is simply us transitioning from the ground search to the investigative side.”
Despite no sightings of the teen, Craddock said officials have “no leads, no details to indicate that Sebastian is not alive.” Sumner County EMA Director Ken Weidner said officials will continue to man a command post in the area, with teams ready to go if they get any leads.
The search has included drones, helicopters, horses, search dogs and dive teams, with searchers coming from as far as Knox County. Mountainous experts have also been searching in caves and members of the TN National Guard have been walking from door to door.
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“If there was a resource we thought we could utilize to help locate Sebastian, we’ve used it and we will continue to do so based on the leads that come in,” Craddock said. “The sheriff’s office continues to urge families to check your properties… no detail is too small.”
An anonymous group of Nashville business owners have pledged a minimum $3,500 reward for information leading to Sebastian’s whereabouts.
No further information has been released.
Sebastian Wayne Drake Rogers, 15, was reported missing on Monday, Feb. 26 from the Beech area in Hendersonville.
Sebastian Rogers: Description
Sebastian is 5 feet, 5 inches tall, 120 pounds with dirty blond hair. He was last seen on Monday, Feb. 26 near Stafford Court wearing a black sweatshirt and black sweatpants, said the TBI.
AMBER Alert Issued
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) originally issued an Endangered Child Alert for Sebastian on the morning of Feb. 26 as multiple agencies took to the area to look for him.
Based on additional investigative information developed during the search, the TBI issued an AMBER Alert for Sebastian on the afternoon of Feb. 27. An AMBER Alert is issued when there is reasonable belief by law enforcement that an abduction has occurred and the child is in imminent danger of serious bodily injury or death, per the DOJ.
Multiple agencies including the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Tennessee Highway Patrol, Nashville Fire Department, City of Hendersonville’s first responders, Sumner County Sheriff’s Office and Shackle Island Volunteer Fire have assisted in the search for Sebastian.
Who to Contact
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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