Sebastian Rogers: United Cajun Navy search called off after parents meet investigators
The 15-year-old disappeared from his Sumner County, Tennessee, home on 26 February
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.After members received death threats, a non-profit organisation helping in the search for Sebastian Rogers in Tennessee said on Monday that it was now working privately with his family.
In an interview with The Independent, United Cajun Navy spokesperson Kevin LaFond also addressed rumours that the group was a “scam”.
“The word hurtful comes up. The other is uninformed,” Mr LaFond said of those accusations. “Folks that know the United Cajun Navy know that there’s proof in our words everywhere and it’s not hard to find it.”
The group was called in by the 15-year-old’s father and other members of the community, after the search for him stretched over a month.
Sebastian disappeared overnight on 25 February, with his mother Katie Proudfoot finding his bed empty the following morning.
Sebastian’s parents met with law enforcement on Thursday, as the search for him neared five weeks.
His dad said he could not discuss what the meeting was about, but insisted that he still has hope that his son is out there somewhere.
“I don’t know if he’s been abducted or if he’s just over at a friend’s house, but I’ll know when I find him exactly what has happened to him,” Seth Rogers told Fox 17.
After over a week without any law enforcement update, Sumner County Sheriff’s Office is expected to hold a media briefing on Tuesday morning.
United Cajun Navy ends search for Sebastian Rogers after death threats- Sebastian Rogers: Timeline of disappearance of 15-year-old in Tennessee
Sebastian Rogers’ parents meet with investigators as questions mount five weeks into search for missing teen
Hunt for missing autistic teenager Sebastian Rogers has covered at least 10,000 miles, investigators reveal
Sebastian’s mother defends leaving area after son’s disappearance
Katie Proudfoot, mother of missing teenager Sebastian Rogers has defended her decision to leave the area where her son was last seen, shortly after his disappearance.
Ms Proudfoot drove three hours away from her home to meet up with her husband and Sebastian’s stepfather, Chris Proudfoot, but said it was due to having received “threatening and hateful” messages from strangers.
“We are posting fliers every direction we can,” she told Fox and Friends on Thursday morning.
“But at the same time, there were quite a bit of people that were sending some very threatening and hateful messages to us. They’re following us. They’re driving past our house at all hours of the day or night, disturbing the neighborhood, and the neighborhood is very upset and concerned. They’re worried about their safety at this point.”
Ms Proudfoot added that she felt that leaving the neighborhood would help calm things down.
Sebastian’s dad says he is hoping for ‘Easter miracle'
In a new interview on Thursday, Seth Rogers said he was hoping for an Easter miracle, as the search for his son reaches five weeks long.
Wearing a t-shirt with Sebastian’s face on, Mr Rogers described himself as a “walking handout” for a missing persons poster.
He was asked by Fox 17 reporter Kaitlin Miller what kept him out searching each day.
“Being a dad,” He said. “Having perseverance, wanting him to come home, wanting to watch him finish growing up.”
WATCH: Sebastian’s mother said she has been crying for a month
Sebastian’s parents have met with law enforcement
As the search rumbles on, Sebastian’s father Seth Rogers, mother Katie Proudfoot and stepfather Chris Proudfoot all met with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation on Thursday.
Mr Rogers told a local reporter that he could not share what was discussed but that he came away from the meeting feeling positive.
“Oh I always have hope. Can’t take that away from me,” Mr Rogers said, adding that he believes his son is playing video games somewhere and has no idea about the ongoing search for him.
Read more here.
Searches called off due to ‘security concerns'
A group organising searches for Sebastian says it has called off an event today.
The United Cajun Navy cited “increasing security concerns” as the reason for suspending its activities on Friday.
“This decision was not taken lightly is made with the safety of all volunteers in mind,” the group said in a Facebook post. “We want to thank all the volunteers that planned to be out searching today.”
Search called off due to ‘death threats’: Report
United Cajun Navy ends search for Sebastian Rogers after death threats
The organisation said the safety of its volunteers was its priority
Seth Rogers is hoping for an Easter miracle
Sebastian’s mom has her theory
Katie Proudfoot told Crime Stories with Nancy Grace on Monday that she feels someone has her son and that she couldn’t understand how the 15-year-old could not have been found yet otherwise.
“I feel like if he had been close to the house, or had walked off, that we would have found him by now with as many people as have been searching,” Ms Proudfoot told the podcast on Monday.
Sebastian’s mom and stepfather Chris Proudfoot were grilled by Nancy Grace, who asked them to clarify their whereabouts the night Sebastian disappeared in Hendersonville, while also calling on experts to give their views on the case.
You can read more here.
Lights seen in driveway were from 'trash collectors’
One of the big talking points around the night of Sebastian’s disappearance has been the appearance of lights on a doorbell camera close to the house, with theories that this was the boy or his abductors leaving.
Mr Rogers said that this is nonsense and the lights were in fact trash collectors.
He also said that there are no signs that the 15-year-old had been speaking to anyone suspicious on his cellphone and no indication that he was planning to run away.
Read more from Mr Rogers’ latest interview here.
Law enforcement staying quiet
Despite meeting with Sebastian’s parents on Thursday, law enforcement have not given an update to the public in a week.
On 22 March, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said it had not forgotten Sebastian and that agents continued to go over any and all information regarding the case.
“Any information you may have about Sebastian…what he likes to do, where he likes to go, people he may know…if it can help us find Sebastian, please let us know,” the update said.
The Bureau also said that much of the work being done was happening behind the scenes and was not necessarily visible to the public.
Information should be submitted via email at TipsToTBI@tbi.tn.gov email or by phone using the 1-800-TBI-FIND tip line.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments