(NewsNation) — Seth Rogers, the biological father of missing 15-year-old Sebastian Rogers, told NewsNation exclusively that he is “pretty sure” a newly revealed photograph portrays his autistic teenage son.
The Tennessee teen was reported missing Feb. 26, from the Sumner County home of his mom Katie Proudfoot and stepdad Chris Proudfoot.
So far, there has not been evidence of foul play connected to Rogers’ disappearance, though authorities are not ruling anything out at this point.
Where is Sebastian Rogers?
Authorities are now questioning whether Sebastian is located in North Carolina, after a photo resembling the teen started circulating on social media. NewsNation has not authenticated the photo.
“My private investigator has spoken to the person who took the video (and photo),” Seth said during an appearance Monday on “Elizabeth Vargas Reports.” Seth said he has no idea who Sebastian could be staying with in North Carolina, which is about a six-hour drive from his home in Tennessee.
Seth previously told NewsNation that the teen’s shoes were still at the front door. His Nintendo Switch was where the teen left it and his phone was still in the kitchen.
Seth said he’s hopeful the FBI will get involved in his son’s case.
“I would surely hope that the FBI would take the lead. Because I believe that is my son, and he is across state lines. I would really truly appreciate it if the FBI did take the lead,” Seth said.
Who is searching for Sebastian Rogers?
Authorities have scoured miles of land while searching for the missing teen in the days and weeks after he went missing. However, repeated search efforts have not turned up any new leads.
Sebastian’s grandparents have traveled from Texas on two occasions to help look for their grandchild. Sebastian’s grandmother, Robin Rogers, broke out in tears at a prayer vigil, recalling the teen.
“He loved to talk about plants with me,” she said. “He loved to talk about animals with me. He loved to go fishing.”
The search for Sebastian took investigators to a landfill in Southern Kentucky, where the trash in Sebastian’s Hendersonville neighborhood reportedly goes after being picked up. Nothing was found during that search.
Volunteers with the United Cajun Navy, who helped search for University of Missouri student Riley Strain, have redirected some of their crews to help find Sebastian.
“Sebastian’s father reached out to us and asked for help, and so we’re going to try to help up there as much as we can,” said David Flagg, incident commander with the search organization.
United Cajun Navy volunteers couldn’t elaborate on exactly where they were sending search crews. However, members told NewsNation affiliate WKRN that they had drones and K-9s assisting.
Sumner County Sheriff Sonny Weatherford told WKRN he briefly met with private investigators, who reportedly want to re-search some of the areas around Sebastian’s home.
EquuSearch Midwest had also offered assistance on the ground and via drone searches.
Some strangers have become allies to Sebastian’s family. Karen Strahm and her son, Jaden Semich, took a special interest in the case from the beginning and decided to assist in the search.
“By the fourth day, I really started to get involved. I went out searching on the fourth and fifth day, and ever since then, I’ve just been pretty vigilant with helping however I can,” Semich said. “I have children of my own, and it’s hard to not see their faces when you look at his, and I think it’s hard for every mom and dad here.”
NewsNation’s Tom Palmer contributed to this report.