Former Survivor contestant Jaime Dugan and her 16-year-old son, Harper, have disappeared, according to Harper’s father and Dugan’s ex-husband, Erik Huffman.
Court documents obtained by the Daily Mail on Sunday, October 4, stated that a South Carolina judge found Dugan, 41, in direct contempt for failing to return Harper to his father and failing to show at subsequent hearings.
The judge categorized Harper as “missing and endangered” and called for Dugan’s “immediate arrest.”
In a statement to the Daily Mail via text, Dugan said she is “absolutely not on the run” and claimed, “The FBI has not contacted me whatsoever and Harper has done wellness checks with four officers.”
Erik, 45, however, said he does “fear” for his teenage son’s safety.
“Throughout my separation and divorce, I’ve desired for Harper to have a relationship with his mother,” he told the Daily Mail. “Harper’s safety and well-being is my top priority right now and getting him back safely is extremely important. We have such a good relationship. I had set up a good routine for him at my home, with school and therapists and tutors and church youth groups.”
Erik continued, “He was really coming into his own and had a very stable life with me. I hate that he’s been ripped away.” (Us has reached out to both parties for comment.)
Dugan and Erik met as contestants on Survivor: China, which aired in 2007. They began dating after the show aired and married in 2009. They welcomed Harper the following year.
The pair ultimately split in 2024 as Erik built a career as a physician assistant. Dugan, meanwhile, grew a social media following as an influencer under multiple usernames, including “Charleston Blonde.”
Attorney Jonathan Lewis, who represented Dugan at one point during her divorce hearings, told the Daily Mail, “Ms. Dugan is considered innocent if or until she is proven guilty of a criminal offense, or liable of a civil offense, following proper proceedings in a court of law. I join in praying for Harper’s safe return and that this matter will quickly and decisively resolve itself in the best interests of Harper.”
The case has sparked growing interest in the town of Cayce, South Carolina, and a Facebook page called Hope for Harper has been set up.
According to Michelle Cannon Smith, who is believed to be a family friend, Harper was last seen with his mother in Cayce, South Carolina, on August 30.
“For those in direct contact with Jaime, I have no doubts for her love of Harper,” she wrote via Instagram on October 1. “The longer this goes on, the messier and more complicated it gets, and that’s not in the best interest of Harper.”
Anyone with information is asked to call the FBI at 803-551-4200.
