AMBER ALERT TN - Autistic teen Sebastian Wayne Drake Rogers, 15, missing in Hendersonville - Feb 27, 2024

[BenjaminJAndersonAlly]

My son is 10 now. He hasn't eloped since his toddler years (he was obsessed with getting up and trying to leave the house in the middle of the night when he was 3-4).

We still have chimes and cameras everywhere. We even have alarms on windows. Even if he doesn't elope in the traditional sense, he still goes outside in our yard without telling anyone. He has no sense of danger. We had to get him out of the road multiple times in a single hour over the weekend. He is also very, very drawn to water. He thinks he is a really strong swimmer when in reality he is just starting to learn. We have an above ground pool with a gated deck and locks. The locks do not deter him.

We also keep a 165-lb guard dog that will NOT stop alerting if that kid goes out the door without him....and I STILL worry all. the. time.

I actually air-tagged the inside of his sweatpants when I first saw Sebastian's case. He hates having the air tag, but no one can see it and it gives me a little bit of comfort that it is hidden on his person each day.

Long-winded, but I think you can see my point. I have a relatively low-risk ASD1 child (which I believe is Sebastian's diagnosis as well) and there is no amount of preparation that makes me feel at ease or safe about him. I will never stop thinking of ways to ensure no harm comes to him.

This is expertly drafted & so deeply resonates with me.

Thank you for taking the time to so thoughtfully put this together & express it so eloquently.

You have made many/multiple excellent points and have shared your own observations & experiences in a manner that may likely help others who do not encounter folks on the spectrum daily better understand the continuous and never ending challenges we face in ensuring/maintaining our special needs children’s health & safety.

 

[CamilleBSP]

I talk a lot about my son but am on the spectrum myself (as is my father). I run our water bill up even now at 41 because I sit in a small bathroom and run the shower while just hanging out in there on the floor on my tablet. I try to stop but I can never go more than a few days without doing it. The sound of the water calms me and blocks out other noises that would normally overstimulate me to the point of a breakdown. Interestingly enough, this is an activity I ONLY seek out in the middle of the night (2-3 A.M. is the time I most often find myself in there).

I wonder if it has anything to do with that. The comfort of the sound/blocking out other things that overstimulate them (especially if they are drawn to natural bodies of water that may burble etc)

There's videos on YouTube that can offer that same noise blocking property, be it by simulating the sound of rain or just straight up noise.

As an autistic person, I don't find in me this fascination with water. Maybe it's because once a boy kicked me into the pool when I didn't know how to swim and I almost drowned? I went unconscious and everything.

I fear that Sebastian's case is hardly linked to water. (Just by intuition, I guess?)

Edited because writing is not my forte today.

 

[hatt3nca]

Does anyone know when the Proudfoot's gave SR's snake away and to whom? Maybe if it was recent, SR is looking for it. Also, why didn't they just give it to his father, Seth? Pets are very special to children and the bond is great. I find that unforgivable really. MOO.

It has felt like to me that some things were done not because SR's autism wasn't understood but because it WAS. SR did not have friends. He did not have playdates. The bond would have been all the more special with Brownie (that's the snake's name). I wonder if CP confuses compliance out of fear with 'respect'

 

[Chimera]

If this is not allowed, I apologize, and please delete! Does anyone else (besides me) think this could possibly be a hoax that the mother orchestrated?

Can't rule it out ... however -- wouldn't the mother face severe charges if that was the case ?
As in, jail time.
I don't think that's what happened, but I almost wish it was b/c then this boy would be alive.

If this is what occurred, his bio dad would press charges and can't blame him !

I wonder if LE was able to check that rv before they took off?

Good point, and good sleuthing, @aliciaJ87 .
Hmmm....
Omo.

 

[hatt3nca]

There's videos on YouTube that can offer that same noise blocking property, be it by simulating the sound of rain or just straight up noise.

As an autistic person, I don't find in me this fascination with water. Maybe it's because once a boy kicked me into the pool when I didn't know how to swim and I almost drowned? I went unconscious and everything.

I fear that's Sebastian's case is hardly linked to water. (Just by intuition, I guess?)

That is terrible! I am so sorry that happened to you. I do sleep with rain sounds playing; it helps! I also never use sound on my tablet.

I also fear that Sebastian's case does not have a link to water.

 

[TenaciousTBacon]

It has felt like to me that some things were done not because SR's autism wasn't understood but because it WAS. SR did not have friends. He did not have playdates. The bond would have been all the more special with Brownie (that's the snake's name). I wonder if CP confuses compliance out of fear with 'respect'

Imo, people who demand compliance don't care what reason or motivation is involved. Just comply.

 

[Chimera]

I'm somewhat fixated on what is missing :
A 15 year old teen boy named Sebastian and the clothing he was wearing.
A flashlight.

And also fixated on what is not missing :
His shoes.

This seems important.
Sounds like he left in a panic -- if he walked out the door.
He grabbed a flashlight.
Or not.... but one is missing from their house and there needs to be an explanation for its' absence.
If there was not a scent to the construction site, then he left via their house in a car and since afaik he didn't drive -- someone took him.
And no I'm not implying he was kidnapped.
LE have never said that Sebastian was abducted, either.
Omo.

 

[CamilleBSP]

Imo, people who demand compliance don't care what reason or motivation is involved. Just comply.

Honestly, I can't even fathom such evil, such vile treatment of a disabled child. It breaks my heart in a million pieces to hear what the step-dad deems as acceptable disciplining of his step-child. And to think Sebastian was going to go live with his dad, which he seemed to love so much...

 

[Limecat]

Quick question I can’t recall seeing the answer to, though I haven’t watched every second of CP and KP’s interviews. Have CP and/or KP ever confirmed Sebastian was going to his father’s full time this summer? TIA

 

[GRT]

Seth sounds grief-stricken and looks exhausted.
And now they're both (CP and KP) refusing to communicate with him ?
So sorry, Seth !
Omo.

RSBM, BBM

What the heck? Why wouldn't they want to communicate with Sebastian's real father? Even if they had issues in the past, come on! Can't they hold it together long enough to put their heads together and get along for the child's sake?

 

[abyquinn]

If this is not allowed, I apologize, and please delete! Does anyone else (besides me) think this could possibly be a hoax that the mother orchestrated?

Wow! That’s not something I would’ve thought of, but very interesting! I can even see some reasons for someone doing this. I’m not accusing KP here, just thinking outside the box bc I’m baffled over this happening and the timing, considering the planned changes coming soon.

- It got her husband home for the first time in weeks
- for Seth to rethink taking on Sebastian full time (see keeping him is hard work!)
- attention
- to prevent change of custody for CP’s 7 yo daughter

Something that stuck with me from earlier interviews when C & KP discussed Sebastian they said things that made him sound difficult at times, maybe most of the time, but KP kept saying they had a really good weekend. Sebastian was happy and cooperative.

It came out at one point this would normally have been Seth’s weekend. I know Seth worked Sunday overnight, I don’t know if that was why they changed weekends nor how far in advance the change was planned.

 

[GRT]

How I wish LE could get a transcript or even a recording of that call.
My .02 is that it's important.
Omo.

I don't know if they can do that -- but I think some providers might have the ability to tell whether a call was "active," such as people conversing, or it was "off the hook," meaning the people left their phones connected but weren't really talking to one another.

What I'd like to know is whether there were any Alexa devices in the home. And, if so, would the P's give permission for home recordings to be made available to LE?

 

[abyquinn]

Quick question I can’t recall seeing the answer to, though I haven’t watched every second of CP and KP’s interviews. Have CP and/or KP ever confirmed Sebastian was going to his father’s full time this summer? TIA

Yes, I believe it was KP in response to the question. It was a mutual decision made by Seth, KP & Sebastian.

 

[imstilla.grandma]

“We’ve had close to 1,500 searchers,” Mr Weidner told reporter Nick Beres. “We’ve got 1,350 documented and then we have additional people, I’m sure we have got more on the public safety side.

“The first two days, we logged 2,000 search miles and we haven’t had enough time to extrapolate all of this,” he said, referring to the data on a huge screen.

“It’s probably going to be 10-12,000 miles searched.”

Hunt for missing Sebastian Rogers has covered over 10,000 miles, say investigators

So far, there has been no sign of the 15-year-old who vanished on 26 February

www.independent.co.uk

“We haven’t had issues with him running or taking off in the past,” Ms Proudfoot said, whilst also explaining that he had not really socialised with school friends.

Sebastian Rogers’ dad reveals contact breakdown with missing teen’s mom, stepfather

The 15-year-old disappeared from his Sumner County home on 26 February

www.independent.co.uk

 

[MassGuy]

If this is not allowed, I apologize, and please delete! Does anyone else (besides me) think this could possibly be a hoax that the mother orchestrated?

I'm not a fan of that theory for a few different reasons:

1. I think that law enforcement would have been able to figure that out on their own (communication records).
2. Anyone party to something like that would have come forward to stave off a kidnapping charge, which would mean potentially decades in prison.
3. Mom would have fessed up to prevent a possible murder investigation.

 

[imstilla.grandma]

Does anyone know when the Proudfoot's gave SR's snake away and to whom? Maybe if it was recent, SR is looking for it. Also, why didn't they just give it to his father, Seth? Pets are very special to children and the bond is great. I find that unforgivable really. MOO.

The snake discussion is around 39:40.

 

[Mimimom]

Just finished the Nancy Grace interview. I forget who linked it here but thank you.
I know there are many following this thread with autistic children, some even from Tennessee.
I'm interested to know are any of you surprised that the Proudfoot's have no door chime on any of their doors. I don't know how long they have been living at their current residence. If they have only been there a year or two and SR has never given them a reason to believe he would leave on his own then I can give them a break on this but if they have lived there since SR was little I would think a door chime would have been wise to have.

I have a 15 year old ASD child. When he was younger I had high locks on everything so he couldn't get out. During the past few years as I painted / did home improvement I've removed them . I think Sebastian family has lived there for about 2 years, they probably felt they didn't need them.

maybe they hit him with a belt to teach him not to leave ??

 

[CamilleBSP]

I don't know if they can do that -- but I think some providers might have the ability to tell whether a call was "active," such as people conversing, or it was "off the hook," meaning the people left their phones connected but weren't really talking to one another.

What I'd like to know is whether there were any Alexa devices in the home. And, if so, would the P's give permission for home recordings to be made available to LE?

They don't need to give permission. LE just needs a court order to get the data.

 

[Mimimom]

RSBM, BBM

What the heck? Why wouldn't they want to communicate with Sebastian's real father? Even if they had issues in the past, come on! Can't they hold it together long enough to put their heads together and get along for the child's sake?

I have a feeling Sebastian's Dad wants to ask KP and CP too many questions . IMO he's out of patience and wants to know where his son is because the story doesn't make sense to him.

 

[Mimimom]

Does anyone know when the Proudfoot's gave SR's snake away and to whom? Maybe if it was recent, SR is looking for it. Also, why didn't they just give it to his father, Seth? Pets are very special to children and the bond is great. I find that unforgivable really. MOO.

He said he gave it to a friend, if my kid wasn't taking care of their pet I would help them, we would do it together. Pets are or should be part of the family, you don't just give them away.