United Cajun Navy will soon seek volunteers to find Sebastian Rogers one month after his disappearance
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – On Monday morning, the United Cajun Navy (UCN) made an update to its search efforts for 15-year-old Sebastian Rogers, who was last seen at his home in Hendersonville one month ago.
UCN, a volunteer disaster response nonprofit, said it will soon need help from the community, but after seeing several people searching and live-streaming their efforts throughout Sumner County without any set plan, UCN is asking everyone to hold off for one day.
“We are asking these groups to stand down 24 hours to allow us to get an organized grid plan of action and proper permissions to search including coordinating with the Federal government to search Federal properties,” the UCN said in a statement on social media. “These areas need to be thoroughly combed in an organized manner, with proper permissions, leaving no stone unturned.”
As of Monday, UCN is working independently of the Sumner County Sheriff's Office. Sumner County Sheriff Sonny Weatherford told News 2 that no one from UCN has contacted his department yet.
UCN officials said Sebastian's father, Seth Rogers, asked for their help following their assistance with then-missing University of Missouri student Riley Strain.
“On Saturday they [UCN] were involved in a foot search at Rockland recreation area,” said Chloe, a local private investigator aiding the Rogers in Sebastian's case. “Last night, a message from Seth went out to those close to Sebastian’s case informing us that the UCN would now be leading the search.”
On Saturday, UCN deployed drones and canines in the area. On Monday, the nonprofit shared that it will have a small group of search dogs out to narrow down a space in question from Saturday.
This search will not be easy, but it will be successful in the end,” the UCN said in a statement on social media. “Trust the process.”
In the meantime, Chloe said Seth is asking for volunteers to continue canvassing all areas with flyers.
“Seth has been searching every single day for his son,” Chloe said. “He has never stopped. I’m hopeful this support to Seth will bring us closer to finding Sebastian, and take weight off of Seth who is now also injured.”
UCN asked anyone who has been or wants to be involved in the search for Sebastian to message them directly. To sign up to volunteer, visit their website.
Sumner County Commissioner Don Schmit is asking everyone to be respectful of what local law enforcement is saying.
“My concern was for safety,” Schmit said. “They are going on areas they may not be permitted to like private property. This is something our chief deputy of the sheriff's department said even when the search was starting, to please leave the search efforts to the professionals, because none of these people are vetted or anything like that, and they're just going out searching.”
Schmit said it’s important not to forget about the search for Sebastian and asked everyone to stay vigilant.
“Don't let Sebastian take a back seat, keep him front and center, because this is a kid,” Shmit said. “We have to keep this effort going and we cannot let this go cold."
If you have seen Sebastian or have info about his whereabouts, call the Sumner County Sheriff’s Office at 615-451-3838 or TBI at 1-800-TBI-FIND.
Sebastian Wayne Drake Rogers, 15, was reported missing on Monday, Feb. 26 from the Beech area in Hendersonville.
Sebastian Rogers: Description
Sebastian is 5 feet, 5 inches tall, 120 pounds with dirty blond hair. He was last seen on Monday, Feb. 26 near Stafford Court wearing a black sweatshirt and black sweatpants, said the TBI.
AMBER Alert Issued
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) originally issued an Endangered Child Alert for Sebastian on the morning of Feb. 26 as multiple agencies took to the area to look for him.
Based on additional investigative information developed during the search, the TBI issued an AMBER Alert for Sebastian on the afternoon of Feb. 27. An AMBER Alert is issued when there is reasonable belief by law enforcement that an abduction has occurred and the child is in imminent danger of serious bodily injury or death, per the DOJ.
Multiple agencies including the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Tennessee Highway Patrol, Nashville Fire Department, City of Hendersonville’s first responders, Sumner County Sheriff’s Office and Shackle Island Volunteer Fire have assisted in the search for Sebastian.
Who to Contact
If you have seen Sebastian or have info about his whereabouts, call the Sumner County Sheriff's Office at (615) 451-3838 or TBI at 1-800-TBI-FIND.
from WKRN News 2 https://ift.tt/GLIJ5rS
No comments: