HENDERSONVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Investigators with the Sumner County Sheriff’s Office are searching a landfill in Kentucky where trash from missing 15-year-old Sebastian Rogers' neighborhood went.
Officials stated that there is "no specific information that indicates evidence related to the search for Sebastian may be there"
They said the search is a precautionary measure to eliminate possible options and questions.
It's been 11 days now since the 15-year-old disappeared from his Hendersonville home.
The search for Sebastian Rogers continues in the neighborhood where he disappeared and part of that now includes tracking down and tracking garbage.
His mother reported him missing around 8 a.m. Since then, there's been a massive search effort from the air and on the ground. It's safe to say crews have searched just about everyone for the teen with autism within a five-mile radius of the home and have found nothing.
But one aspect they did not search is the garbage.
That is why Sumner County deputies and Kentucky State Police are searching a landfill in White Plains, Kentucky.
Why there?
Well, NewsChannel 5 has learned that trash in the Stafford Court neighborhood is picked up every Monday between 5 and 6 a.m. and it was sent to that landfill.
So, all the trash from the neighborhood dumpsters — including the trash bin at Sebastian's home — was picked up and gone before the teen was even reported missing.
Officers are digging through trash at the landfill looking for any clues.
They don't know what they'll find, but say the search is part of leaving no stone unturned. There's the possibility some evidence was disposed of in the trash.
In the meantime, authorities were back at the family house on Thursday in the backyard appearing to take photos.
No one is giving up on the ongoing search for Sebastian.
But at the same time, authorities appear to be moving forward with a possible criminal investigation.
They've named no suspects and detectives say the Sebastian's family has been cooperative.
As this investigation continues to evolve, authorities are still going through security camera video from homes in the area, and they do continue to depend on tips from the public.
If you have information on the case, call 1-800-TBI-FIND.
There are still so many families in East Tennessee hurting following the floods from Hurricane Helene in September. That made this year's running of the Santa Train extra special for many families in the northeast part of the state. This special Santa Express has been making an annual run in part of Appalachia for over 80 years.
-Lelan Statom
