Timeline: Search for missing Tennessee teen Sebastian Rogers

SUMNER COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) — It’s now been a little over two weeks since 15-year-old Sebastian Wayne Drake Rogers disappeared from his home in Hendersonville, with still no signs of the missing teen.

The case sparked a massive search in Sumner County that stretched thousands of miles and lasted more than a week before officials said they were scaling back the ground search to focus more on the investigative side.

It has also garnered national attention, with many local community members continuing to push to keep Sebastian’s face and name in the spotlight as the days he’s been missing continue to compile.

Below is a full timeline of everything that has happened in the case to date.

Monday, Feb. 26: The search begins

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation issued an Endangered Child Alert around 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 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.

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.

“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.

Tuesday, Feb. 27: AMBER Alert issued

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 Tuesday, Feb. 27, searchers had covered over 2,000 miles on foot and went through Sebastain’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.

Wednesday, Feb. 28: TBI puts out statement

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.

“Understandably, there is interest in hearing from friends and family to help provide more of a personal context about Sebastian. However, we have been requested by the family to let local media know that they are not in a position to speak to or be available to the media at this time. We have told them that while we would relay their message, it would be the decision of the individual media outlets and reporters to proceed as they see fit.”

TBI Spokesperson

Thursday, Feb. 29: Search 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.

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.

Saturday, March 2: Reward offered for information

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.

The award was raised to $3,500 the following day. Sebastian’s parents also spoke publicly for the first time on Sunday, March 3, telling a podcast host more details about his disappearance.

Monday, March 4: Search is scaled back

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,” Deputy Chief Eric Craddock with the Sumner County Sheriff’s Office said during a press conference. “This is simply us transitioning from the ground search to the investigative side.”

During the Monday, 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 landfill

The search for Sebastian took investigators to Kentucky on Thursday, March 7, where investigators searched a landfill. According to the sheriff’s office, the landfill in White Plains 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,” Sumner County Sheriff Sonny Weatherford said. “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.”

Few new updates have been provided since. 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 Sumner County Sheriff’s Office in local businesses and on social media outlets.

Multiple 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, 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.