Glasses found during search for missing teen Sebastian Rogers, police unsure of connection

The search for a missing Nashville-area teenager with autism who disappeared more than a month ago gained momentum this week after Tennessee officials announced a pair of glasses were found in connection to the 39-day-old case.

Sebastian Wayne Drake Rogers, was last seen Feb. 26 near a neighborhood cul-de-sac in Hendersonville, a city about 10 miles northeast of Nashville, according to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, the agency that issued an endangered child alert on behalf of the Sumner County Sheriff’s Office.

The boy, 15, was discovered missing at his family's home when his mother went to wake him for school, officials reported.

On Wednesday, law enforcement and first responders from various Middle Tennessee agencies re-gathered to walk in teams near the area where he disappeared in hopes of solving the missing-person case, the Tennessean, part of the USA TODAY Network reported.

"Despite exhaustive efforts, there are no new leads or evidence to indicate the search will be immediately fruitful," the Sumner County Sheriff's Office posted on Facebook. "However, we are committed to leaving no stone unturned in our mission to locate Sebastian and bring him home safely."

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Officials cannot say whether glasses belong to Sebastian Rogers

Sebastian’s family has declined to speak publicly about the disappearance, issuing a statement Wednesday through TBI. 

“Understandably, there is interest in hearing from friends and family to help provide more of a personal context about Sebastian," according to the statement obtained by The Tennessean.  "However, we have been requested by the family to let local media know that they are not in a position to speak to or be available to the media at this time."

Just one day earlier, during a Tuesday news conference, Sumner County sheriff's office Chief Deputy Eric Craddock said a pair of glasses were found recently in the search for the teen. But he could not definitively say if the pair belonged to Sebastian.

"We are exploring every lead that comes in and every tip that comes in," Craddock said. “We’re all extremely concerned for Sebastian’s welfare."

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Was Sebastian Rogers found?

Rogers has not yet been found.

Investigators searched a Kentucky landfill, where trash from the neighborhood was taken in hopes of finding clues. Police have said very little publicly about the case, including what, if any, evidence has been found. Authorities, though, have scaled back from an active search to an investigation.

The teen was last seen wearing a black sweatshirt, black sweatpants & glasses, the TBI reported, and is 5’5”, 120 pounds with dirty blond hair.

Craddock said this week there is no evidence to support foul play on the part of Sebastian's parents.

Anyone with information about the teen is asked to contact the TBI or Sumner County Sheriff's Office.

Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund.