Thursday marks 7 months since Sebastian Rogers' disappearance

SUMNER COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) — It's now been seven months since 15-year-old Sebastian Rogers disappeared from his Hendersonville home, leaving family, friends and community members with more questions than answers.

Seven months into their investigation, Sumner County law enforcement officials have not reported any new information.

“From day one when this happened, I visited the command center when they had that set up," Don Schmit, the Sumner County commissioner for District 18, said. "Law enforcement, all our emergency personnel are investing in this, invested in trying to find him. These men and women, they really put their heart and soul into it. They did everything they could and I am sure they are still doing everything they can."

However, the teen remains at the center of an AMBER Alert, with the FBI offering a $50,000 reward for information, and Duane Chapman, also known as "Dog the Bounty Hunter," matching that reward to raise it to $100,000.

The celebrity bounty hunter's joining in on the search efforts earlier in September has been one of the most recent developments. In an interview with News 2, Chapman called it "one of the most horrendous cases of missing children" he's ever worked on, adding that he believes increasing the reward money will help them find the answers they've been looking for.

“I’m just hoping for a positive outcome from this,” Seth Rogers, Sebastian's biological father, told News 2. “That he is alive, that he is healthy so I can bring him home.”

Early on in their investigation, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) warned against spreading misinformation online. However, as the months have dragged on, the case has been at the center of many social media controversies and rumors, with Seth stating that they've experienced online harassment and have only seen threats increase.

“They have kind of taken over the airwaves and created a defamation campaign against my clients,” said attorney Joseph Lesniak, who is representing Seth, Chapman and others. “Instead of keeping their eye on the real important thing here, which is finding this young man.”

Seth has continued actively searching for his son since he went missing on Feb. 26, and still said he has not given up hope, despite the situation being "one long nightmare." His searches have stretched as far as West Tennessee.

Many community members have also continued to aid in the search by putting up flyers and holding vigils, as well as other gatherings. In August, a group of people with "Sebastian's Army" gathered outside the Sumner County Sheriff's Office for answers or updates in the investigation. However, little new information has been provided.

"We would like to see a PIO and just to see some updates,” a participant with “Sebastian’s Army” told News 2.

"We got tips and stuff coming in and we didn't know if law enforcement was following up on them," Seth said. "But now we've got Dog's team. He has a whole team of attorneys, lawyers, private investigators."

"At this point, my clients are focusing on getting leads, keeping this public and helping law enforcement in any way they can," Lesniak said.

"This is one of the most horrendous cases that we have ever ever worked on," Chapman added.

In the initial days after Sebastian's disappearance, law enforcement carried out several massive search efforts near his home off Stafford Court and at a landfill in Kentucky where trash went from his neighborhood.

"Month one, it was intense for the first half of it," Seth explained. "It seemed like there were a lot of people on board trying to find Sebastian. And then it became a circus."

Neighbors were also asked to check their yards for any signs of the teen, and numerous search warrants were issued, with cellphone data analyzed and other digital evidence searched and documented.

Still, those efforts yielded few clues as to Sebastian's whereabouts. In March, authorities announced they were scaling back the ground searches to focus more on the "investigative side" of the case. By April, hundreds of tips had poured into the TBI.

One possible sighting was reported a few months later miles away in North Carolina but was later dispelled by law enforcement. Other possible clues like a pair of glasses and a pair of sweatpants found during search efforts have also turned out to be busts.

After announcing the new reward for information in August, the FBI said agents are continuing to provide assistance to the Sumner County Sheriff's Office in the search for Sebastian. Another prayer vigil is expected to be held within the next month, and anyone who has any information that could prove helpful in finding Sebastian is urged to contact authorities.

Tipsters are asked to contact the sheriff’s office at 615-451-3838 or the TBI at 1-800-TBI-FIND or TipsToTBI@tbi.tn.gov. You can also contact your local FBI office, the nearest American Embassy or Consulate, or submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov.