Dennis Rogers 54, Last Heard from 3/08/12 in Liberty County, TX(Spec. Needs)

[MuffyBee]

http://www.myfoxhouston.com/dpp/news/local/120310-missing-special-needs-man
Search Effort Underway for Special-Needs Man
KRISTIN KANE, Reporter
March 11, 2012


PLUM GROVE, Texas - The family of a 54-year old special needs man, who has been missing since Thursday, is in need of help to find him.

Officials and residents there say this is the largest search effort in Liberty County they've ever seen.

After talking with police multiple times around 8pm Thursday night, 54-year old Dennis Rogers cell phone went dead.

The Plum Grove man, who suffered a stroke four years ago and now has the mental capacity of a 9-year-old, hasn’t been heard from or seen since.

“We were trying to talk him to a nearest residence or road, using our sirens our lights anything to try and help get him out to a roadway,” said Captain Rex Evans with the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office.

Captain Rex Evans with the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office says Dennis lived alone and was outdoorsy. On Thursday night, he went for a walk and got lost.

“He got off into a heavily wooded area and evidently got distorted or turned around,” said Captain Evans.

Over 100 people scoured a 30,000 acre wooded area on foot, horseback and ATV’s today looking for Dennis.

K9's, air support and the coast guard were also brought out, Texas EquuSearch is on standby.
 ::snipping2::
Officials say while they certainly remain hopeful in their search efforts, they need to be realistic too.

“Without food or water any meds he may have been on, any injuries, all of those factors come in plus cold temps, damp air, all the rain,” said Captain Evans.
 ::snipping2::
54-year old Dennis Rogers is described as a Caucasian man who stands at a height of 5-feet 6-inches tall and weighs between 145 and 155 pounds. He is believed to be wearing a grey t-shirt, jeans, boots and a black baseball hat.

Anyone with information about the search is encouraged to contact the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office by phone at 936-336-4500.

[Sister]

I hope he is found safe!
 

[MuffyBee]

http://www.click2houston.com/news/Anxiety-grows-as-search-continues-for-missing-man/-/1735978/9274810/-/15c5c98z/-/
Anxiety grows as search continues for missing man
Author: Robert Arnold, Investigative Reporter,
March 11, 2012

[MuffyBee]

http://blog.chron.com/newswatch/2012/03/storms-hamper-search-for-missing-liberty-county-man/
Storms hamper search for missing Liberty County man
By Erin Mulvaney
March 11, 2012



Crews continued searching Sunday morning for  a 54-year-old Plum Grove man who has been missing for almost four days, as his family grows more concerned.

The storms that persisted over the weekend made the search more difficult for crews in the hunt for the missing man, Dennis Rogers.  Helicopters, Texas EquuSearch, area volunteer firefighters and K-9 crews are assisting the sheriff’s office in the search, said Capt. Rex Evans with the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office. The crews searching over the weekend reported having a difficult time because of the rain as they trudge through the rising water in the bayous, creeks and reservoirs in the area.

The Liberty County Sheriff’s Office said Rogers  placed a 911 call around 8 p.m. on Thursday for help. The man reportedly told the dispatcher that he had gone for a walk, went too far and got lost.  His cell phone died as the deputies tried to triangulate his position. They tried to return his call but have not heard from him since.
More...

[MuffyBee]

http://www.click2houston.com/news/Search-for-missing-man-suspended/-/1735978/9277096/-/bum093z/-/
Search for missing man suspended
Dennis Rogers, 54, last seen Thursday
Author: Irika Sargent, Anchor/Reporter, isargent@kprc.com
March 11, 2012

 ::snipping2::
Texas Eqqusearch, the U.S. Coast Guard, and dozens of firefighters and citizen volunteers from as far away as Huntsville combed the nearby woods as part of the search.

But officials called off the search at 3 p.m. Sunday, saying the severe weather conditions made it too dangerous to continue.

Over the weekend, heavy rains confounded search efforts through the thousands of acres of wooded terrain. Helicopters scanned the ground from above as searchers were forced to navigate a swampy mix of rainwater and mud. Searchers on horseback even had trouble navigating the deep, cloudy pockets of rain water peppering the area.

"The weather has hampered our efforts," said Capt. Rex Evans with the Liberty County Sheriff's Office. "It has made it certainly much more dangerous. The terrain out here is certainly rough."
 ::snipping2::
Search dogs caught a scent off Rogers' clothing, provided by family members, and a few tracks led to a deer blind, but unfortunately nothing led to Rogers himself. The last contact with Rogers was when he dialed 911 just before 8 p.m. Thursday.
 ::snipping2::
There has been no word yet on when or if the search will resume.


Praying for a miracle, Dennis Rogers can be found alive and soon.   

[Sister]

http://www.click2houston.com/news/Search-for-missing-man-suspended/-/1735978/9277096/-/bum093z/-/
Search for missing man suspended
Dennis Rogers, 54, last seen Thursday
Author: Irika Sargent, Anchor/Reporter, isargent@kprc.com
March 11, 2012

 ::snipping2::
Texas Eqqusearch, the U.S. Coast Guard, and dozens of firefighters and citizen volunteers from as far away as Huntsville combed the nearby woods as part of the search.

But officials called off the search at 3 p.m. Sunday, saying the severe weather conditions made it too dangerous to continue.

Over the weekend, heavy rains confounded search efforts through the thousands of acres of wooded terrain. Helicopters scanned the ground from above as searchers were forced to navigate a swampy mix of rainwater and mud. Searchers on horseback even had trouble navigating the deep, cloudy pockets of rain water peppering the area.

"The weather has hampered our efforts," said Capt. Rex Evans with the Liberty County Sheriff's Office. "It has made it certainly much more dangerous. The terrain out here is certainly rough."
 ::snipping2::
Search dogs caught a scent off Rogers' clothing, provided by family members, and a few tracks led to a deer blind, but unfortunately nothing led to Rogers himself. The last contact with Rogers was when he dialed 911 just before 8 p.m. Thursday.
 ::snipping2::
There has been no word yet on when or if the search will resume.


Praying for a miracle, Dennis Rogers can be found alive and soon.   

Yes, Muffy, praying for a miracle.

[MuffyBee]

http://blog.chron.com/newswatch/2012/03/ground-search-called-off-for-missing-liberty-county-man/
Ground search called off for missing Liberty County man
March 12, 2012

Authorities called off the search for a 54-year-old Plum Grove man who has been missing since last week, a Liberty County Sheriff official said today.
 ::snipping2::
Liberty County Sheriff officials called off the search over the weekend due to severe weather, but authorities said they won’t restart searching for the 54-year-old until they get a new lead in the case.

“For now, the ground search has been called off unless somebody sees something or (until) we get some new information that warrants us going back out,” said Liberty County Sheriff Capt. Rex Evans.

Officials could conduct a flyover today over the Tarkington, Cleveland and Plum Grove areas if the weather improves, Evans said.
 ::snipping2::
The severe weekend storms in the Houston area complicated the search effort as all terrain vehicles and horses got stuck in the high water and muddy areas.

[Sister]

http://blog.chron.com/newswatch/2012/03/ground-search-called-off-for-missing-liberty-county-man/
Ground search called off for missing Liberty County man
March 12, 2012

Authorities called off the search for a 54-year-old Plum Grove man who has been missing since last week, a Liberty County Sheriff official said today.
 ::snipping2::
Liberty County Sheriff officials called off the search over the weekend due to severe weather, but authorities said they won’t restart searching for the 54-year-old until they get a new lead in the case.

“For now, the ground search has been called off unless somebody sees something or (until) we get some new information that warrants us going back out,” said Liberty County Sheriff Capt. Rex Evans.

Officials could conduct a flyover today over the Tarkington, Cleveland and Plum Grove areas if the weather improves, Evans said.
 ::snipping2::
The severe weekend storms in the Houston area complicated the search effort as all terrain vehicles and horses got stuck in the high water and muddy areas.

That's sad that the search has been called off.  That must be so hurtful to the family.

[cw618]

Filed Tue, Mar 13, 2012 by Scott Engle
SEARCH
  ::snipping2::
At 8:00 a.m. volunteers were organized at the Plum Grove city hall and under the direction of Liberty County Sheriff’s Office Captain Rex and Texas Equusearch. Teams were dispatched to areas southeast of Plum Grove to start the search. Mostly four-wheelers and horses are involved at this time. There will be no foot search until conditions improve. Most roads are either in water or covered completely. Walkers are unable to see bottom as there are many dropoffs and ruts.
 Several other leads have been followed up on. Early today a report came in that Mr. Rogers was seen on FM 2100. Harris County Sheriff’s Department was dispatched but was unable to find anything. Another report came from a small store near US 59 and the County Line which at this time has not been totally disqualified
more @ link

SEARCH UPDATE:
 ::snipping2::
ON-SCENE UPDATE FROM LCSO: The search for Dennis Rogers has been temporarily suspended, due to a possible criminal investigation based on a credible tip, according to the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office.
 
This investigation DOES NOT INVOLVE Dennis Rogers’ family.
 
No further information is available at this time.
 
We will update as soon as more details are released
http://montgomerycountypolicereporter.com/?p=41669

[MuffyBee]

Thank you for bringing news in regard to the search for Mr. Rogers, CW.  I thought at first I was reading good news with the possible sightings, but after reading to the end of your post, I'm really afraid for him.   

[cw618]

LCSO: Search suspended for missing Plum Grove man; case now a 'criminal matter'
Updated today at 6:07 PM
vid at link
 ::snipping2::

LIBERTY COUNTY, Texas – The search was suspended Tuesday for a missing Liberty County man, and deputies are now calling the case a "criminal matter."
 ::snipping2::
Despite rainy weather, volunteers have spent the past few days searching thousands of acres of sparsely populated forests and farmland near Plum Grove, looking for Rogers.
 
But on Tuesday, the search was abruptly called off around 2 p.m.
 
Deputies rounded up the 60 or so volunteers and told them to go home.
 
Deputies said they got a credible tip that prompted them to launch a criminal investigation into Rogers’ disappearance.
 
"At this point, we are just following up on information that an alleged crime has occurred. We have not been able to substantiate at this point – our detectives are just getting into the information we’ve been provided," Capt. Rex Evans said.
 
Deputies did not give any other details about the tip.
http://www.khou.com/home/LCSO-Search-suspended-for-missing-Plum-Grove-man-case-now-a-criminal-matter-142524305.html

[MuffyBee]

http://www.myfoxhouston.com/dpp/news/local/120313-criminal-investigation-into-mans-disappearance
Criminal Investigation into Man's Disappearance
March 13, 2012

HOUSTON - There are new developments in the search for a missing man.

The Liberty County Sheriff’s Office has called off the search for Dennis Rogers and is now conducting a criminal investigation into his disappearance.

The twist came after a citizen told deputies about a conversation overheard regarding the case.
 ::snipping2::

[cw618]

dennis lives about 15mi west of a friend of mine,it doesnt sound good at all
its starting to sound like he got lost,and someone,has took advantage of him

[MuffyBee]

dennis lives about 15mi west of a friend of mine,it doesnt sound good at all
its starting to sound like he got lost,and someone,has took advantage of him

Yes, sadly it looks that way. 

[MuffyBee]

http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/cleveland/news/missing-man-search-turns-into-criminal-investigation/article_7865ed7a-bd17-5cbf-a6b8-af95e36a790f.html
Missing man search turns into criminal investigation
Family member denies claims that Rogers was mentally-challenged
March 13, 2012

 ::snipping2::
“In the middle of our search today for Dennis Rogers, we received a phone call at the sheriff’s office from a person who wanted to talk to us about Rogers’ disappearance,” said Evans. “This individual talked to deputies this afternoon and claims that some type of criminal activity took place that resulted in Rogers’ disappearance.”

Rogers called 911 by cell phone Thursday night and reached dispatchers at the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office. He told them that he had become lost in the woods near his home.

Whatever happened to Rogers after that phone call is still a mystery, but the sheriff’s office is now looking into the possibility that Rogers may have come into contact with people with nefarious intentions.

“With this new bit of information, we are suspending the search and rescue operation. The deputies who were working on the recovery are now on the criminal investigation,” said Evans. “Detectives are trying to locate and interview several persons of interest.”

Evans said that Rogers was known for carrying cash.
Family member denies claims that Rogers was mentally-challenged

While it has been widely reported that Rogers was mentally challenged, his ex-wife wants to set the record straight.

She claims that Rogers was fully capable of carrying on conversations and simply suffered from short-term memory loss after being injured in an accident.

[cw618]

wow, short term memory loss,thats why i couldnt, get any more info, from my friend
he has STML too,his is from Parkinson's disease

[MuffyBee]

wow, short term memory loss,thats why i couldnt, get any more info, from my friend
he has STML too,his is from Parkinson's disease

  Maybe in the future as we learn more about the brain there can be treatment for STML.   

[cw618]

Posted on March 14, 2012 at 11:22 AM
 video
 ::snipping2::
LIBERTY COUNTY, Texas – Liberty County homicide detectives have identified several "persons of interest" in the mysterious disappearance of Dennis Rogers.
 
Rogers has been missing since Thursday, March 8.
 
The search for the Plum Grove man was suspended Tuesday and deputies began calling the case a "criminal matter."
 
Evans said someone came forward Tuesday with information they’d learned from a Facebook chat session. The chat involved a conversation overheard in a Montgomery County bar implicating several people who allegedly found Rogers alive and may have harmed him, according to Capt. Rex Evans with the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office.
 
Detectives questioned two people late Tuesday and into the night, Evans said. Others will be brought in for questioning Wednesday.
 
Evans said they’ve also subpoenaed Rogers’ cell phone records.
http://www.khou.com/home/LCSO-Persons-of-interest-questioned-in-disappearance-of-Plum-Grove-man-142640856.html

[MuffyBee]

http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/lake_houston/news/hopes-fading-as-days-pass-without-sign-of-missing-plum/article_dfea1454-fee1-5895-9aac-f9ff5a2661ff.html
Hopes fading as days pass without sign of missing Plum Grove man
March 15, 2012

 ::snipping2::
“The water has receded but some creeks are still overflowing and moving at a fast rate of speed,” said Evans. “The water is still impeding our search.”
 ::snipping2::
Following Tuesday’s efforts that had around 60 people working together in a coordinated, mapped-out search, the hunt for Rogers was called off while law enforcement investigated a tip that led them to believe that Rogers may have come into contact with people with nefarious intentions. Evans will not give details on the criminal investigation, but said it is ongoing.

When asked if he still suspects that foul play is involved in Rogers’ disappearance, Evans replied, “That would divulge a part of our investigation that we are not ready to divulge. I do feel confident we will find him. It will just take some time.”

Previously it had been reported that the search area covered around five square miles. Evans said on Thursday that the search area is closer to 42 square miles. The terrain in that area includes residential properties, farms and ranches. One area is a remote bayou fed by several creeks and ditches.

With Rogers missing for a week now, the search is nearing a point where it will turn from a rescue operation to a recovery operation. Cold temperatures, coupled with rain, are just part of the equation. Evans said searchers looking for Rogers have encountered deadly snakes and other dangers, including quicksand.
 ::snipping2::



The search will begin again on Saturday, March 17, and will be restricted to law enforcement, firefighters and Texas EquuSearch volunteers, but with every day that passes, so fades the hope that Rogers will be rescued.

“It would be very difficult for a person to survive this,” said Evans.

[MuffyBee]

http://www.khou.com/news/Search-resumed-then-called-off-for-missing-Liberty-County-man-142870235.html
Search resumed, then called off for missing Liberty County man
March 15, 2012

 ::snipping2::
Detectives on four wheelers were out searching a huge 42-square-mile area Thursday near a community called Tarkington Prairie.  That’s just outside Cleveland.

They resumed the search after information surfaced about a conversation in which Rogers disappearance was discussed. The conversation took place at the No Tab Bar near New Caney. What was said at the bar ended up being discussed in a Facebook chat room.

Detectives would only say several people alluded to finding Rogers and then doing something with him. Bobbie Marlow, the bar owner, said the conversation was upsetting.

“I just heard from customers talking next day about what were they saying.  Nothing specific,” he said. “That there were fellas in the bar talking about the fella.”