A non-profit organisation helping in the search for Sebastian Rogers in Tennessee called off its search on Friday over safety concerns.
Members of the United Cajun Navy reportedly received death threats online and in person, with the group announcing it was regrouping.
Meanwhile, the 15-year-old’s parents met with law enforcement on Thursday, as the search for him nears five weeks.
The 15-year-old’s father said he could not discuss with reporters what the meeting was about, but insisted that he still has hope that his son is out there somewhere.
“I don’t know if he’s been abducted or if he’s just over at a friend’s house, but I’ll know when I find him exactly what has happened to him,” Seth Rogers told Fox 17.
Authorities revealed on Tuesday that at least 10,000 miles had been logged by those searching for the autistic teenager, with an Amber Alert still in effect.
He vanished overnight on 25 February, with his mother Katie Proudfoot finding his bed empty the next morning.
So far there has been no sign of him.
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United Cajun Navy ends search for Sebastian Rogers after death threats
A group organising searches for missing teenager Sebastian Rogers in Tennessee say they’ve called off an event planned for today, over security concerns.
The United Cajun Navy announced last weekend that it was getting involved in the search for the 15-year-old boy, who was reported missing on 26 February.
However, the group has come under criticism from some on social media for its delayed start to searches after asking for donations of equipment and other supplies.
Rachel Sharp1 April 2024 10:21
If Sebastian has not been found, someone has him
That’s the belief of his mother, Katie Proudfoot, who spoke with Crime Stories with Nancy Grace last week:
Dan Gooding1 April 2024 08:30
Unclear what investigators told parents
As the search rumbles on, Sebastian’s father Seth Rogers, mother Katie Proudfoot and stepfather Chris Proudfoot all met with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation on Thursday.
Mr Rogers told a local reporter that he could not share what was discussed but that he came away from the meeting feeling positive.
Fox 17 reporter Kaitlin Miller had asked him if the meeting had given him hope.
“Oh I always have hope. Can’t take that away from me,” Mr Rogers said.
Dan Gooding1 April 2024 05:17
Investigators promise to keep going
In a peek behind-the-scenes in Sumner County earlier in the week, investigators said they would keep going.
“We’re not stopping, we’re working on leads and information from TBI and the sheriff’s office and we’ve got teams on standby ready to go right now,” Ken Weidner, the director of Sumner County’s Emergency Operations Centre, said.
Dan Gooding1 April 2024 02:04
Have you seen Sebastian?
This Amber Alert poster has been shared far and wide as the search rumbles on for Sebastian Rogers.
(Tennessee Bureau of Investigation)
Dan Gooding31 March 2024 23:12
Andrea Cavallier, Dan Gooding31 March 2024 20:00
Seth Rogers is hoping for a miracle today
Dan Gooding31 March 2024 17:07
Stepfather asked about belt incident
During their interview with Crime Stories with Nancy Grace on Monday, Sebastian’s mother and stepfather were asked about an incident involving Chris Proudfoot hitting the missing boy with a belt.
Dan Gooding31 March 2024 13:33
Search called off over security concerns
However, the group has come under criticism from some on social media for its delayed start to searches after asking for donations of equipment and other supplies.
On Friday, the UCN said on Facebook that it was pulling back and regrouping “due to increasing security concerns”.
“This decision was not taken lightly [and] is made with the safety of all volunteers in mind. We want to thank all the volunteers that planned to be out searching today,” the group’s Facebook post said.
WSMV 4 reported that the group had received “death threats” online and in person.
Dan Gooding31 March 2024 10:22
Dad went weeks without speaking to Sebastian’s mother
Dan Gooding31 March 2024 07:14
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