FBI Seeks Arrest of 'Survivor' Alum Jaime Dugan After Teen Son Vanishes

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Source: The Daily Beast
FBI Seeks Arrest of 'Survivor' Alum Jaime Dugan After Teen Son Vanishes
Photo: The Daily Beast
TL;DR

Former 'Survivor' contestant Jaime Dugan is wanted by the FBI after failing to return her 16-year-old son, Harper, to his father following a weekend visit in South Carolina. A judge has issued an arrest warrant, classifying the teen as missing and endangered.

Key points

  • Jaime Dugan, 41, and her son Harper, 16, vanished after she did not return him to his father, Erik Huffman, on August 30 in Cayce, South Carolina.
  • Spartanburg County Family Court Judge M. Todd Thigpen ordered Dugan's immediate arrest after she missed court dates and refused to disclose their location.
  • The FBI has opened an investigation into the pair's whereabouts, with police authorized to take Dugan into custody statewide.
  • Erik Huffman, 45, holds sole custody and has expressed fear for his son's safety, stating he has been actively searching for answers.
  • The dispute stems from a 2024 divorce where Dugan made unsubstantiated abuse allegations against Huffman, which the court deemed unfounded.

Background

Dugan and Huffman met on the 2007 season of 'Survivor: China' and married in 2009. They divorced in 2024 after a contentious trial. Huffman was awarded custody of Harper, while Dugan was granted every-other-weekend visits. Dugan, an online influencer, previously faced a dropped cyberstalking charge and filed for bankruptcy in 2025.

How outlets are covering it

The Daily Beast and New York Post report that Dugan is wanted by the FBI and that a judge has ordered her arrest. The New York Post highlights that Dugan missed a September 18 court appearance and refused to reveal her location, leading to a contempt finding. FITSNews confirms federal involvement but provides limited detail. All sources agree that Huffman is seeking his son's safe return, while Dugan's attorney has not publicly contested the court's findings but emphasized her innocence until proven otherwise.

Why it matters

The case highlights the intersection of celebrity custody disputes and federal law enforcement, raising concerns about child safety and the enforcement of court-ordered custody arrangements.

What to watch

Law enforcement is actively searching for Dugan and Harper. Huffman continues to coordinate with authorities to locate his son. The outcome of the FBI investigation and Dugan's arrest will determine the next legal steps in the custody case.

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