HENDERSONVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — A year after a teen diagnosed with autism vanished from his Hendersonville home, a crowd gathered to light hope in the hearts of each other.
Brad Meshell, who has a son with autism, has helped the dad of Sebastian Rogers over the year since his disappearance.
"He wasn't that kid, he loved being at home, he loved his family," said Meshell. "The what, if, why, who, when, I think those are the stabbing wounds that continue to stab you every single day."
Meshell runs a nonprofit called Jacob's Audible, which helps families with children diagnosed with autism find resources in Nashville.
He believes someone who knows what happened to the then 15-year-old. "In this day and age, walking through a neighborhood disappearing without a trace, no cameras, nobody, and then having a three to four day, five to ten-mile search."
"There comes a spot where it's like if you know something, enough is enough. Let's bring him home," said Meshell. "We need to act like this happened yesterday, that's the kind of energy and power we need to put towards this case."
The Sumner County Sheriff's office continues to investigate Sebastian's disappearance but nothing leads them to a criminal investigation.
More information about the missing teen who would now be sixteen can be found here.
Do you have more information about this story? You can email me at (Kim.Rafferty@newschannel5.com).
Here’s a beautiful story of how one mother turned her grief journey into a gathering of gratitude… and organ donation awareness.
Robb Coles highlights a special event organized by Cari Hollis – whose 26-year old son Austin died two years ago. Austin agreed to be an organ donor – and that single gesture saved multiple lives.
Cari reached out to as many recipients she could find – several of whom traveled to Nashville for an emotional celebration in Austin’s honor. One woman – whose life was saved by receiving Austin’s lungs – put it simply: “He’s my angel”.
- Rhori Johnston
