“Survivor” Alum Reportedly Wanted by FBI for Allegedly Disappearing with Son, 16

Jaime Dugan has denied that she was contacted by the FBI regarding her son’s whereabouts

NEED TO KNOW

• Survivor: China alum Jaime Dugan reportedly failed to return her 16-year-old son, Harper, to his father, Erik Huffman, after a weekend visit in August
• The FBI reportedly has opened an investigation into Dugan and her son has been declared a missing person
• Dugan’s ex-husband Erik has primary custody of Harper

An investigation is ongoing into Survivor: China alum Jaime Dugan.

Dugan, 41, reportedly failed to return her 16-year-old son, Harper, to his father, Erik Huffman, after a weekend visit in August, and the FBI has opened an investigation, per the Daily Mail. Erik — who Dugan met on Survivor: China in 2007, married in 2009 and split from in 2024 — has primary custody of Harper, the outlet reported.

An Instagram account has been created to raise awareness about the case. According to the first post, shared on Sept. 30, Harper was “last seen with his mother (who does not have custody and has fled the state with him)” in Cayce, South Carolina, on Aug. 30.

In a statement shared to Entertainment Weekly, a Federal Bureau of Investigation spokesperson said, “The FBI is aware of the public information regarding Jamie [sic] Dugan and her son, however the FBI does not comment on the existence or nonexistence of any investigation. If the public sees Dugan, they should contact local authorities or 911.”

PEOPLE reached out to the FBI regarding the investigation, but did not receive an immediate response.

On Saturday, Oct. 3, a missing-person poster was shared with a photo of Harper, which said that he is “believed to be abducted” by Dugan and “believed to be in danger.”

“He has Autism Spectrum Disorder and has not been able to contact his father who has legal custody or family,” the poster reads.

Dugan was contacted by the Daily Mail and told the outlet, “I am absolutely not on the run.”

“The FBI has not contacted me whatsoever and Harper has done wellness checks with four officers,” she claimed. 

Her ex, in contrast, told the outlet, “Harper’s safety and wellbeing is my top priority right now, and getting him back safely is extremely important.”

“I hate that he’s been ripped away,” Erik said. “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. He was really coming into his own and had a very stable life with me.”

A Sept. 21 court order from Spartanburg County Family Court declared Harper “missing and endangered,” per the outlet, and found Dugan in direct contempt.