New developments have been made in the search for a missing 15-year-old autistic boy in Tennessee, with a prominent bounty hunter joining the effort.
Sebastian Rogers, who has “high-functioning autism” according to his mother, was last seen at his Hendersonville home on the night of February 25th.
When Sebastian was first reported missing, an extensive search operation was carried out, but police curtailed the search after an extensive search of the area failed to show him. Local news outlets said he was not seen on surveillance cameras in the area.
Celebrity bail agent Duane Chapman, now better known as “Dog the Bounty Hunter,” comes forward to assist the Rogers family in locating the missing teenager.
Chapman said he has already found some promising leads.
“Dog Country!!!” We are getting new leads from Oregon and New York and are responding quickly. We are increasing the reward to $175,000 ($175,000) because we believe our confidential informant has provided us with valuable new information about these states!!!! !,” Chapman said in a post to Details. Last week, X gained over 600,000 followers.
Sebastian was reported missing around 6 a.m. on February 26 after his mother went into his room to wake him up for school. Rogers was living with his mother and stepfather at the time, and in a March interview, Rogers said he was cooperating with authorities. WSMV4.
Chapman announced in September that he would join Sebastian's biological father, Seth Rogers, in the search.
“This is one of the most tragic missing child cases we have ever worked on,” Chapman told a local news network. WKRN.
“The bottom line is, if you hurt a child like this, you have a problem. That's the main motivation for me to continue to look for the person who did this,” he said.
Chapman is working with the private investigation firm At-Night Intelligence, which says that although no sightings of Sebastian have been reported, they have found reliable leads linking him to Oregon and New York.
“Our investigation has uncovered reliable information suggesting significant connections in Oregon's neighboring states. We are actively pursuing these leads across multiple states and regions of interest. ” the intelligence group said in a post to X.
The group also claimed it was investigating potential access points near the Canadian border and had urgently notified the appropriate authorities.
At-Night Intelligence told the Post in a statement that it is looking to 2025 and has notified President-elect Donald Trump's team about the matter.
“We can confirm that important discussions regarding the disappearance of 15-year-old Sebastian Wayne Drake Rogers have occurred with members of former President Donald J. Trump's team. The incoming administration is committed to committing federal resources to this case. “The increased support is expected to begin in February,” an At-Night Intelligence spokesperson told the Post.
“We continue to appreciate the public's patience and support as we continue to work with local residents in Oregon and New York,” the spokesperson added.
“We will not stop until we have exhausted every resource and every lead to bring Sebastian safely home to his family,” they said.
Chapman's team did not respond to requests for comment.
Chapman and At Night Intelligence ask anyone with information about Sebastian's whereabouts to call the Chapman tip line at 833-835-5364 or the Sumner County Sheriff's Office at 615-451-3838. or call the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation at 1-800-TBI FIND. Or email TipsToTBI@tbi.tn.gov.
Tips can also be submitted through your local FBI office or your nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Or submit a tip online tips.fbi.gov.
