February 22, 2024 (Thursday)

• Sebastian spoke to his dad, Seth Rogers

February 24, 2024 (Saturday)

• Sebastian and his mom, Katie Proudfoot, went to dinner at Costco on Saturday

February 25, 2024 (Sunday)

• Sebastian and his mom, Katie Proudfoot, went to BJ’s Wholesale Club.
• Sebastian and his mom, Katie Proudfoot, went to Strike and Spare
• 6:30 PM: Sebastian and his mom, Katie Proudfoot had dinner.
• 8:00 PM: Upon returning home, Sebastian took out the trash to the curb.
• 9:00 PM: Sebastian went to bed.
• 10:00 PM: Katie was on the phone with her husband, Christopher Proudfoot (Sebastian’s stepdad).
  

February 26, 2024 (Monday)

• 12:00 AM: Christopher Proudfoot told Katie to go to bed after she fell asleep on the sofa.
• 6:00 AM: Katie called Christopher to tell him that Sebastian was missing and reported him missing to the police. She also began driving around the neighborhood searching for him.
• 6:03 AM: Katie informed Christopher on the phone: “I said I can’t find him, he said what do you mean you can’t find him? I said he’s not in the house.” Christopher then contacted the police.
• 6:40 AM: Christopher called and sent messages to Seth Rogers (Sebastian’s father).
• 7:00 AM: Seth had just gotten off work.
• 7:20 AM: Seth noticed a missed text and call from Christopher at 6:40 AM. He called Christopher and was informed that Sebastian was missing.
• 8:00 AM: Seth arrived at the house and stayed there the entire day. Later, he fell asleep in his car.
• 11:17 AM: The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) issued an Endangered Child Alert on behalf of the Sumner County Sheriff’s Office.
• 1:00 PM: Christopher Proudfoot arrived to the house (according to Seth interview)
• 4:35 PM: TBI issued another alert asking residents near Beech High School and along Long Hollow Pike to check outbuildings, garages, and cars in case Sebastian was hiding.
• Neighbors reported seeing someone resembling Sebastian near Newman’s Trail around 4:45 AM. Police confirmed it was not him.

Investigation Timeline: Sebastian Wayne Drake Rogers

Monday, February 26, 2024

• 9:49 AM: Sumner County Sheriff’s Office issued Endangered Child Alert Link
  
• 11:17 AM: The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) issued an Endangered Child Alert on behalf of the Sumner County Sheriff’s Office.
• 12:14 PM: Sumner County Sheriff’s Office Post: If you have any information regarding the whereabouts of Sebastian, you are encouraged to contact Detective Carter at (615) 442-1865 or via email at [email protected]. Link
  
• 4:35 PM: TBI issued another alert, urging residents near Beech High School and along Long Hollow Pike to check their outbuildings, garages, and cars in case Sebastian was hiding.
• 8:49 PM: Sumner County Sheriff’s Office Post: “Thank you for reaching out and offering your assistance in the search for Sebastian. We currently have personnel from several local and state agencies involved in the search efforts. If you wish to contribute, we kindly ask you to carefully check your property, including crawl spaces, sheds, small areas, and any other locations where a child who enjoys hiding might be. Your concern and vigilance are greatly appreciated.” Link
  

Tuesday, February 27, 2024

• 12:30 PM: TBI: We have some additional contact methods for providing information regarding the search for Sebastian. For immediate assistance, please contact the Sumner County Emergency Communications Center at (615) 451-3838. You cal also contact Detective Carter at (615) 442-1865 or email at [email protected].
• 2:31 PM: Chief Deputy Eric Craddock and EMA Director Ken Weidner released an update on the search for Sebastian. Link
• 3:28 PM: An AMBER Alert was issued Based upon additional investigative information developed during the search for Sebastian, an AMBER Alert is now being issued. Weather concern: Colder temperatures added urgency to the search.
  
• Searchers reported covering over 2,000 miles on foot and thoroughly searching Sebastian’s home multiple times.

Wednesday, February 28, 2024

• Sumner County Sheriff Office: No evidence to suspect foul play took place yet and the family has been cooperating
  
• TBI released a statement explaining why Sebastian’s parents were unable to share more details about his disappearance.

Thursday, February 29, 2024

• Investigators drained a pond east of Sebastian’s home but found no evidence.
• Officials stated they had received several tips and asked the public to check surveillance cameras. However, none of the tips were confirmed sightings of Sebastian.

Friday, March 1, 2024

• Dive team assisting in search for missing Sumner County teen Sebastian Rogers: Franklin police sent its dive team over to Sumner County to help search for the missing teen. The request for aid came from the Sumner County Sheriff’s Office.
  

Saturday, March 2, 2024

• An anonymous group of Nashville-area business owners offered a reward of $3,000 for information leading to Sebastian’s whereabouts, which was later increased to $3,500

Monday, March 4, 2024

• The search effort was scaled back as initial leads had been exhausted.
• Investigators expanded their efforts, crossing state lines to search a Kentucky landfill.

Thursday, March 7, 2024

• Authorities conducted a search at the Hopkins County Regional Landfill in White Plains, Kentucky.
• The search was described as a “precautionary measure to eliminate possible options and questions.”
• Local news footage showed a white tarp covering part of the landfill while officers sifted through the trash.
• Officials noted that Sebastian’s family had been cooperative throughout the investigation.

Friday, March 8, 2024

• No evidence related to missing teen found at Kentucky landfill: The search for evidence related to the disappearance of Sebastian at the Kentucky landfill yielded “negative results,” according to the Sumner County Sheriff’s Office. While the search for Rogers continues, the search at the Hopkins County, Kentucky, landfill is over after “exhaustive efforts” to find any evidence that would help find the missing 15-year-old with autism.
  

Friday, March 15, 2024

• TBI released statement n order to preserve the integrity of the investigation, we cannot discuss many of the specifics surrounding the case. But we know how many people care about Sebastian and what has been done, and is still being done, to bring him home. Also, we want to caution the public about putting too much stock into information being presented in various media forms that is inaccurate or incomplete, and could be damaging to the investigation. Link

Thursday, March 21, 2024

• Acting on a tip, Seth organized a search in Natchez Trace State Park, approximately 100 miles from Sumner County. Despite thorough efforts, the search did not yield new information.
  

Friday, March 22, 2024: TBI Released statement:

• Much of the work being done to track down information about where Sebastian may have gone is not something you will necessarily see in the public. But we want you to know that every day, work is being done to find Sebastian.
• Special Agents and Intelligence Analysts continue to go over and review information that has been collected since the search for Sebastian began. They also continue to follow up on tips and leads as they come in. To date, more than 240 tips have been provided through the [email protected] email and the 1-800-TBI-FIND tip line. Link

Saturday, March 23, 2024

• The United Cajun Navy, a volunteer search and rescue organization, joined the search efforts for Sebastian
  

Friday, March 29, 2024

• The United Cajun Navy withdrew from the search, citing threats made to volunteers as the reason for suspending operations.
  

Tuesday, April 2, 2024: Eric Craddock Presser:

• Investigation on going with local and federal resources.

Encouraging community to stay vigilant no matter how small you may think it is. Understand anxiety and concern caused in community. We are doing everything we can despite the passive of time.

• TBI speaking – he has not been forgotten. No one has given up looking for him. Talks about vast land search, air search, ponds. Even though this search isn’t viable the search is not done. Good ole fashion police work.
• Working with other jurisdictions on complex cases trying to get advice.
• and secret service have been helpful with reviewing.

Parent have been cooperative, they’ve done pretty much everything we have asked.

• Right now they don’t have leads to lead to criminal investigation. Cautioning social media on what they share. They want people to use caution so that it doesn’t damage investigation. This is taking away time from agencies. 314 tips through tip line.

There’s no evidence of foul play but they aren’t ruling it out. Nothings been found to lead us to Sebastian.

• Have you ruled out mom and stepdad and verified their alibi?-

“They have been nothing but cooperative.”

• Eric Craddock says he’s received no police reports regarding threats to the UCN.

“The Cajun navy is independent. They have not contacted us. We are grateful they printed flyers.”

• Eric Craddock keeps reiterating there’s no evidence of foul play.
  

Wednesday, April 3, 2024

• TBI special agents are joining investigators with the Sumner County Sheriff’s Office and law enforcement agencies from surrounding counties to conduct another thorough search in the Long Hollow Pike area in reference to the disappearance of Sebastian Rogers. Additionally…..

We have been made aware that an altered version of the official TBI Amber Alert poster has been made and is being circulated throughout social media, indicating that this new poster has been verified.

Please be aware that a lot of false information is being posted through multiple social media channels; the poster our agency has developed and is using Here

Wednesday, April 17, 2024

• Sebastian’s biological father, Seth Rogers, hired private investigators to assist in the search for his son.

Thursday, April 25, 2024

• TBI special agents continue to review the information gathered since the investigation began, follow up on all leads or tips that come in, and work with counterparts from other law enforcement agencies to review strategies and consider options.
• The AMBER Alert for Sebastian Rogers remains active.

We continue to encourage anyone with information to call 1-800-TBI-FIND, or send an email to [email protected].

Tuesday, May 7, 2024

• Authorities confirmed that a teenager photographed in North Carolina was not Sebastian, despite earlier speculation.

Tuesday, May 21, 2024

• Seth Rogers called for the FBI to take over the investigation, expressing concerns about the case becoming a cold case.

Monday, August 26, 2024

• FBI Memphis Field Office, Nashville Resident Agency announced the offer of a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to the location and return of Sebastian, or to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for his disappearance.

December 2024 Update

• In December 2024, Sumner County Sheriff Eric Craddock emphasized that the case is not considered cold. He stated,

“It’s not a cold case. It is an active and ongoing investigation.”

• Sheriff Craddock highlighted that investigators meet weekly to review progress and that certain information is withheld to protect the integrity of the investigation. He also addressed the challenges posed by misinformation on social media, urging the community to rely on verified facts.

Anyone with information concerning the whereabouts of Sebastian Wayne Drake Rogers is encourage to contact the Sumner County Sheriff’s Office at 615-451-3838, or the TBI at 1-800-TBI-FIND or [email protected]. Or contact your local FBI office, the nearest American Embassy or Consulate, or submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov. Link

Tuesday, February 25, 2025

Updated 2/25/2025 – February 26th marks one year since then-15-year-old Sebastian Rogers was reported missing from his Sumner County home.

• That morning, the Sumner County Sheriff’s Office issued a missing persons report to begin efforts to locate Sebastian. 
• A TBI Endangered Child Alert was pushed out, and was then elevated to a statewide AMBER Alert. TBI special agents from multiple units assisted in the search, along with multiple local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, including the FBI and Secret Service. The efforts included multiple large-scale searches on the ground, in water, and from the air, during daytime and evening hours. Residents in the area also conducted searches on their own properties, in the hopes of finding Sebastian.
• The TBI continues to assist the Sumner County Sheriff’s Office in this investigation.
• While to date there have been no confirmed sightings of Sebastian, efforts to locate him have not ceased.
• As part of that continued investigation, officials developed information that while Sebastian was reported missing on February 26, 2024, the last time he was confirmed to have been seen was February 25, 2024. The AMBER Alert poster and FBI reward poster have been updated to reflect that information and are posted below.

“I understand that people want answers, and I share the community’s concern for Sebastian,” says Craddock. “However, I urge everyone to rely on verified information from law enforcement and not online speculation.”

• The AMBER Alert remains active for Sebastian Rogers.
• Law enforcement officers continue to consider and investigate any and all options to determine what may have happened to Sebastian and where he may be. Because each tip called or sent in is reviewed, officers are urging people to only provide credible information, as misinformation and false narratives being pursued through some social media channels divert valuable resources and can jeopardize the investigation.

We encourage anyone with credible information to provide that through the TBI tip line at 1-800-TBI-FIND. If your tip includes a sighting of someone who may resemble Sebastian, please send any photos to [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>. The Sheriff urges any photographic information be sent immediately, as time may be of the essence in relevant sightings.

“Our investigators are committed to finding the truth, and we need the public’s help in sharing only credible information.”  Link

FBI Released an update

Two rumors in the search for Sebastian have been disproven.

The flashlight theory –  Source

A house down the street from Sebastian’s had security video footage from the night of his disappearance the camera, angled in a direction that happened to be facing Sebastian’s backyard, captured two small moving lights. 

• At first glance, the lights appeared to be right in Sebastian’s yard, suggesting someone was lurking with two flashlights in hand a potential suspect given Sebastian’s disappearance that same night.
• However, when law enforcement further investigated the video, they disproved this theory.
• The dark sky and camera angle combined had distorted the security footage. When they examined the video in relation to the topography of the area, they found that the lights were actually coming from a pair of truck headlights flickering through the trees from a street atop a hill about 300 yards. Law enforcement further investigated to confirm that the flashlights were actually headlights. They also created an overlay of the security footage in daylight with a topographic map—in the daylight, it would have been clear that the lights were coming from the hill.  

The person in the green hoodie theory –  Source

• A video surfaced of Sebastian and Katie in the parking lot of the local restaurant they visited the night Sebastian disappeared. In the video, a person in a green hoodie briefly interacts with Katie. Suspicions arose that, in this short interaction, the person in the green hoodie was planning something with Katie related to Sebastian’s disappearance.
• Law enforcement spoke with the employees at the restaurant, who confirmed this person in the green hoodie was a frequent customer and helped identify them.
• Law enforcement went to meet this person, who happened to be wearing the same green hoodie in the video, and confirmed they were not a suspect.

On February 26, 2024, 15-year-old Sebastian Rogers disappeared from his Sumner County home, leading to a large-scale ground search that resulted in first responders covering about 2000 total miles in the effort to find him.

• Several agencies including TBI, Tennessee Highway Patrol, Nashville Fire Department, City of Hendersonville first responders, Sumner County Sheriff’s Office, and Shackle Island Volunteer Fire are all assisted in the search for Sebastian Rogers.
• Helicopters, boats, drones, K-9s and horses were all utilized in the search efforts.

“We know that Sebastian likes to fish, so really there is no option that is off the table,” Craddock said. “Sebastian likes to hide. He likes to get into small spaces and hide under his bed. So we are checking everything from drainage culvers to backseats of cars.” Link

Areas have been searched for Sebastian Rogers:

Ground Search:

• First responders covered approximately 2,000 miles on foot within the first several days.
• Areas searched included:
• Sebastian’s neighborhood and surrounding neighborhoods.
• Local schools and various locations across Sumner County.
• Pools, bodies of water, and caves (due to Sebastian’s known attraction to water).

Specialized Resources:

• Bloodhounds and handlers were deployed to revisit and thoroughly examine key areas.
• Dive teams searched water bodies around and beyond the immediate vicinity.

Aerial Searches:

• Helicopters, drones, and fixed-wing aircraft were used for thermal imaging during day and night operations.

Residential and Property Searches:

• Sebastian’s home, yard, vehicles, and neighbors’ properties were searched multiple times.
• The neighborhood was canvassed extensively, with law enforcement seeking assistance from residents.

Technology and Investigative Tools

Video Surveillance:

• Numerous neighbors and businesses provided surveillance footage.
• Video evidence was analyzed and enhanced by TBI, FBI, and Secret Service experts.
• To date, no significant information has been identified from the videos.
• Authorities warn that some publicly shared footage may be misinterpreted or incomplete.

Digital Evidence and Data Analysis:

• Search warrants were executed to collect evidence.
• Cell phone data, gaming system activity, and other digital evidence were analyzed.
• The FBI helped identify and account for vehicles present near the area around the time of Sebastian’s disappearance.

Re-Examination of Evidence:

• Collected electronic and physical evidence continues to undergo periodic re-investigation to ensure no detail is overlooked.

Additional Notes on Search Challenges

• Sebastian’s autism presents unique challenges, as he may be drawn to specific sensory elements, such as water.
• Despite exhaustive efforts, no significant leads have yet been identified. Authorities remain dedicated to finding Sebastian and encourage continued cooperation from the public.

From Sumner County:

• Within the first several days of the search, more than 2000 miles were searched on foot.
• Many of these areas were initially searched, and searched again.
• Law enforcement officers have searched the neighborhood, surrounding neighborhoods, schools, and many other areas of the county by foot.
• Bloodhounds and handlers have searched the same areas.
• There have been aerial searches with helicopter, drones, and a fixed wing plane.
• These aerial searches have been conducted on multiple days, and multiple nights, using thermal imaging technology.
• Sebastian’s residence, the yard, the house, the vehicles, have all been searched multiple times.
• The neighborhood where Sebastian lives has been canvassed. Neighbors’ houses have been searched.
• Sebastian is autistic, and his family says he is drawn to water.
• Pools in the neighborhood were searched. Dive teams were brought in, and bodies of water around the neighborhood and beyond that area were searched, including caves.

Technology used in search for Sebastian

Many neighbors and businesses have provided video from home and business surveillance systems. We are grateful for that cooperation.

• The video has been collected, and from the beginning of the investigation, has been analyzed, and enhanced where possible, by tech experts with the TBI, FBI, and Secret Service. To date, nothing gathered from these video systems has been determined to be significant.
• Rumors: We do caution that some surveillance video being shared in the public may have been misinterpreted or misidentified, or not shown in its entirety. It has been determined that it does not hold any evidentiary significance to the investigation.
• Search Warrants: Numerous search warrants have been executed.
• Digital Evidence: Cell phone data has been analyzed, and any other available digital evidence has been collected, searched, and documented.
• Gaming System Information: Information was collected from Sebastian’s gaming system and has been analyzed.
• Vehicle Identification and Analysis: With help from the FBI, vehicles that were placed in the area at or around the time of Sebastian’s disappearance have been accounted for.
• Surveillance Footage Review: These videos and all the electronic evidence that has already been reviewed, is often also being re-investigated.
  

FBI Assistance – Source

During day two of the search, the Sumner County Sheriff’s Department reached out to the FBI for assistance and specific resources that could potentially help find Sebastian, who has high-functioning autism. 

• “I contacted our FBI Child Abduction Rapid Deployment team for initial consults, and then they brought in the FBI Behavioral Analysis Unit to assist,” said Barrett.
• “The BAU shared a statistic that about 50% of autistic children are prone to wander. They are also naturally drawn to bodies of water, and 71% of fatal outcomes involving missing autistic children were a result of drowning. “That information helped us focus search efforts in and around bodies of water.
• The search team drained ponds and searched waterways and lakes looking for Sebastian.” In addition, law enforcement searched almost every home in the neighborhood.
• Video recordings from nearby homes and a dashboard camera in Katie’s car showed that Katie and Sebastian didn’t leave the house after their return home from dinner and that no other cars were seen coming or going from Katie’s home during the evening and early morning hours of the night or day Sebastian disappeared. “We have followed through on every tip that has come in,” said Josh Savley, special agent in charge for the Criminal Investigation Division at the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. “Some of those tips, we continue to examine at a deeper level, but the vast majority we have cleared as either being irrelevant or ended with no results.” The lack of answers in the search for Sebastian has pushed the community to widely share the story on online platforms—but law enforcement reminds the public to be wary of misinformation from unverified sources.

February 26, 2024

• TBI Issues Endangered Child Alert
• Coverage of Initial Search Efforts

February 27, 2024

• 8:22 PM: Search Updates and Expanded Coverage
• Reason Behind the Amber Alert Issuance

February 28, 2024 (Wednesday)

• TBI Statement Regarding Parents’ Limited Information Sharing

February 29, 2024

• Official Search Update from Authorities
• 1:05 PM: Further Details on Search Efforts
• 5:59 PM: Community and Law Enforcement Collaboration
• 11:14 PM: Day’s End Summary of the Search

March 1, 2024 (Friday)

• Ongoing Search Operations
• Details of Surveillance and Tips
• Community Response and Updates

March 4, 2024

• Search Efforts Scaled Back
• Official Statement on Scaled-Back Search Operations

March 11, 2024

• Follow-Up on Investigation and Leads

March 14, 2024

• NewsChannel 5 released home security video from the night Sebastian disappeared.
  

April 2, 2024

• Sebastian Rogers Press Conference

This timeline compiles significant video reports and updates on the search for Sebastian Rogers. Each link corresponds to relevant footage covering the progress and developments of the investigation.