Seth Rogers Urges Federal Investigation After Disheartening Discovery About His Son’s Image

The father of missing autistic teenager Sebastian Rogers has expressed his desire for the FBI to take the lead in the investigation after a misleading photo of his son circulated online, raising hopes for his safe return. The image, which seemed to show the 13-year-old in an underpass in North Carolina, was quickly shared by the public, sparking renewed optimism after two months of silence regarding his whereabouts. However, police have since confirmed that the individual in the photo is not Sebastian.

Sebastian Rogers, who disappeared from his mother’s home in Hendersonville, Tennessee, on 25 February, was last seen that night. His mother, Katie Proudfoot, discovered him missing the following morning when she went to wake him for school. Despite extensive searches by law enforcement and volunteers, there has been no sign of Sebastian. The Sumner County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) have worked diligently on the case, but with no confirmed sightings, the mystery remains unresolved.

Seth Rogers, Sebastian’s father, voiced his concerns about the lack of progress, especially after the photo was widely circulated. “I truly hope the FBI would take the lead on this, especially with the possibility of my son being across state lines,” Seth Rogers told NewsNation. The FBI had previously offered assistance, but Seth’s calls for greater involvement from the agency reflect his desperation for answers.

The image, which had given the family and online supporters hope, showed a boy resembling Sebastian with his head down. Despite the initial excitement, the SCSO put the speculation to rest, confirming that the photo did not depict Sebastian after collaborating with North Carolina authorities.

The case has drawn significant attention, with some speculating that Sebastian may have left on his own, as he was found without shoes. However, his mother believes he was taken. While the sheriff’s office has stated that there is no evidence of foul play, they have not ruled anything out, and the investigation remains ongoing.

Frustrated by the lack of updates from law enforcement, Seth Rogers has hired a private investigator to continue searching for his son. On 25 April, TBI updated the public, confirming that there had been no new information since the initial Amber Alert was issued.

Seth Rogers continues to hold out hope that his son will be found, vowing to leave no stone unturned in the search for Sebastian.