Search efforts continue for Sebastian Rogers nearly a month after he was reported missing.
Rogers, 15, has been missing since Feb. 26. An Amber Alert was issued for the missing autistic teen, who was last seen in the area of Beech and Shackle Island, near Long Hollow Pike.
On March 23, the United Cajun Navy (UCN), a volunteer disaster response organization, deployed a search team to Sumner County to assist in finding Rogers. The team is equipped with K-9s, according to the organization’s Facebook post.
The UCN previously aided in search efforts for Riley Strain, whose body was found Friday morning in the Cumberland River after a two-week search.
The organization held a press conference on Saturday, where they announced their intention to join the search after Rogers’ father, Seth, requested their assistance. Due to the ongoing nature of the situation, the organization refrained from providing extensive details but confirmed they deployed assets on the ground.
The UCN stated that they are not currently seeking volunteers. However, Erin Corter, a mother of an autistic son, emphasized the importance of more people joining the search for Rogers.
When Corter first heard of the story, she said it hit close to home.
“It speaks to my heart because I’m living that same reality with a son that’s autistic,” Corter said.
Living in Hendersonville, Corter said she hears people talk about Rogers but says more people need to take action. On Saturday, she and a small group of people walked in grid patterns searching for any traces of Rogers.
“I can’t sleep,” she said. “I cannot focus. I’m having dreams about Sebastian.”
Corter said she’s inviting anyone to join them on their search for Rogers. On Sunday morning, Corter and her community-organized search group will meet at the Rudder in Hendersonville at 8 a.m.
Hundreds have joined in the search for Rogers since his disappearance. There have been little to no updates throughout the search process.
