The disappearance of 15-year-old Sebastian Rogers from Hendersonville, Tennessee, on February 26, 2024, has sparked a complex and troubling saga. While authorities continue their investigation, a self-proclaimed investigative journalist operating on YouTube has been ordered to cease all reporting on the missing teen’s family, following accusations of stalking and harassment. This new update details the court’s decision and the escalating tensions surrounding the case.
The Disappearance and the “Investigative Journalist”
Sebastian Rogers vanished without a trace, leaving behind a distraught family and a community searching for answers. Police investigations, while ongoing, have not uncovered evidence of foul play. Rogers’ parents are divorced, and he resided with his mother, Katie Proudfoot, his stepfather, Chris Proudfoot, and Chris’ stepchildren at the time of his disappearance. Both biological parents, Katie and Chris Proudfoot, and Sebastian’s father, Seth Rogers, have cooperated with authorities. However, the investigation has been complicated by the actions of Andra Griffin, a YouTube content creator who refers to herself as “Bullhorn Betty” and an “investigative reporter.”
Griffin’s involvement began with online reports about the case, but her actions quickly escalated. She traveled from her home in Florida to Tennessee, allegedly confronting the Proudfoot family and their extended relatives, including Chris Proudfoot’s parents. Griffin also reportedly encouraged her online followers to harass the family.
Court Orders Protection for the Proudfoot Family
On October 10, 2024, Sumner County General Sessions Judge Ron Blanton issued orders of protection for Katie and Chris Proudfoot, Chris’s parents, and Chris’s minor children. These orders prohibit Griffin from contacting the family and require her to complete a firearms declaration. The judge explicitly forbade Griffin from discussing the family on social media.
Missing teen, Sebastian Rogers. (Tennessee Bureau of Investigation)
The court hearing featured testimony from both Griffin and Chris Proudfoot. Griffin presented a self-made “media ID,” asserting her status as an investigative reporter. However, evidence presented by Chris Proudfoot’s attorney painted a different picture. Video clips from Griffin’s YouTube channel showed her soliciting information about the Proudfoots from her followers and making veiled threats against the family. In one clip, Griffin stated, “I’ve been very calm, very courteous… But if you want to push me? Honey, I’ll come out with a whole pile of ruckus you guys won’t even know what to do with and your law enforcement will not be able to stop.” Griffin later claimed this statement only referred to her practice of holding protests on public property.
Judge Blanton rejected Griffin’s defense, concluding that her actions constituted harassment and were not genuinely aimed at finding Sebastian Rogers. He characterized her pursuit as a “personal vendetta.” While Griffin claimed to be assisting in the search, the judge noted a lack of evidence supporting this claim.
Free Speech vs. Harassment: Conflicting Perspectives
Griffin’s attorney, Terry Frizzell, argued that her statements, while offensive, were protected under free speech. However, Judge Blanton disagreed, prioritizing the protection of the Proudfoot family. The ruling highlights the tension between First Amendment rights and the need to prevent harassment, particularly in sensitive cases involving missing persons.
The court’s decision sparked outrage from Sebastian’s father, Seth Rogers, a supporter of Griffin. He left the courtroom angrily, condemning the ruling as an infringement on free speech and expressing ongoing suspicion towards his ex-wife and her family. He accused them of hindering the search for his son and showing a lack of emotion regarding his disappearance.
The Case Continues
The legal battle continues, with Griffin scheduled for another court appearance on November 20, 2024, to address allegations of six violations of the restraining order. The case raises crucial questions about the role of citizen journalism, the boundaries of online behavior, and the impact of social media on sensitive investigations. As the search for Sebastian Rogers continues, the court’s intervention aims to protect the grieving family from further harassment while the investigation unfolds.
