A former reality television contestant could face arrest after vanishing with her 16-year-old son, Our News Outlet can report.
A judge has issued an arrest order for Jaime Dugan, 41, who appeared on Survivor: China, after she allegedly failed to return Harper to his father following a scheduled weekend visit on August 30.
Harper’s father, former Survivor castmate Erik Huffman, 45, was awarded custody after the couple’s contentious divorce earlier this year.
Our News Outlet has confirmed that the FBI is investigating the whereabouts of Dugan and her son.
Huffman told Our News Outlet that finding Harper and ensuring his safe return was his immediate concern. “Harper’s safety and wellbeing is my top priority right now, and getting him back safely is extremely important,” he said.
“We have such a good relationship. I had established a strong routine for him at home, along with school, therapists, tutors and church youth groups.”
“He was really coming into his own and had a very stable life with me. I hate that he’s been ripped away.”
The disappearance has raised alarm in Cayce, South Carolina, as well as online, where supporters have created a Facebook page titled Hope for Harper.
In an order issued September 21 and obtained by Our News Outlet, Spartanburg County Family Court Judge M. Todd Thigpen found Dugan in direct contempt of court. The ruling cited her alleged failure to return Harper to his father and her absence from later hearings.
The judge classified Harper as “missing and endangered.”
Harper Huffman is approximately 6 feet tall and weighs about 120 pounds. He has green eyes and brown hair.
Erik Huffman says he has spent weeks searching for his son.
Huffman and Harper’s mother, Jaime Dugan, met while filming Survivor and married two years after the series aired.
The court ordered Dugan’s “immediate arrest” and authorized law enforcement agencies throughout South Carolina to detain her.
Huffman said he was deeply concerned about Harper’s safety. “Throughout my separation and divorce, I’ve wanted Harper to maintain a relationship with his mother,” he said.
“I truly am concerned about her mental stability and his safety. I feel like I’ve been working night and day on this. I’ve conducted my own investigation to try to find answers, driving across South Carolina and speaking with different law enforcement agencies.”
“It’s been a logistical nightmare. It’s been stressful and tough. I’m very worried about my son.”
Dugan and Huffman first met as contestants on Survivor: China, which aired in 2007. They began a relationship after filming, married in 2009 and welcomed Harper the following year.
Huffman later worked as a doctor’s assistant, while Dugan built an online following of more than 70,000 people on Instagram.
Their split in 2024 developed into a bitter public dispute involving allegations of physical and sexual abuse. Those claims were never proven.
Under the custody arrangements set out in their eight-day divorce trial, Huffman was given custody of Harper and Dugan had him every other weekend.
She was due to return him to his father on August 30. The judge found she ‘failed and/or refused’ to do so.
Dugan joined an emergency hearing about the matter on September 15 remotely, although the judge said she had not been given permission to appear virtually.
While a South Carolina Department of Social Services caseworker was giving evidence, the judge ordered Dugan to reveal where she and Harper were.
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She refused, according to the order.
The judge adjourned the hearing until September 18 and ordered her to appear in person with Harper.
Neither turned up. The court found her absence was willful.
The order also sets out the historic allegations which were at the heart of the couple’s original custody fight.
The FBI has an open investigation into the whereabouts of Dugan and her son
Huffman is now a doctor’s assistant, while Dugan made her living as a social media influencer
Dugan had reported allegations of physical abuse by Huffman and sexual abuse by Harper’s paternal grandmother, to several law enforcement agencies and to the Department of Social Services.
Authorities asked to interview Harper about the allegations but say Dugan refused to cooperate or make him available, according to the order.
The judge found the allegations to be unfounded, saying the court did not share her concerns, and ruled that her allegations did not permit her to disregard its custody orders.
Even if Dugan believed Harper was at risk, the judge said, she had legal avenues to raise her concerns rather than hiding where he was.
Huffman denied all the allegations, describing them tonight as ‘egregious and hurtful’.
After failing to show on September 18, the judge found Dugan in contempt. Her visitation was suspended, Huffman was given sole custody and Dugan was ordered to surrender Harper’s passport.
The court directed that she be held at the Spartanburg County Detention Center once arrested.
Our News Outlet has confirmed that the FBI has an active investigation into the pair’s whereabouts.
Dugan did not return a request for comment.
Attorney Jonathan Lewis, who represented Dugan during her divorce hearings, said: ‘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,’ says
‘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.’
Dugan appeared at an emergency hearing last month but refused to reveal where Harper was
Dugan’s troubles go beyond the custody fight.
In 2025 she was charged with cyberstalking in Moore County, North Carolina, over a series of unwanted messages to a friend of Huffman’s. The case was later dropped.
On July 30, weeks after the divorce ruling, she filed for Chapter 13 bankruptcy in federal court in South Carolina, listing more than $509,000 in debts.
Most of her assets were a $408,000 share in the South Carolina home she jointly owns with Huffman. The filing said it would be sold after a final divorce order, but the sale is now in limbo.
The family court has held back some financial issues while the bankruptcy case goes ahead.
