The winner of the first season of Survivor and his 14-year-old son appear on a syndicated show to discuss the boy's relationship with a 28-year-old man.

02:05 PM EST on Thursday, November 18, 2004

BY ANDY SMITH
Journal Television Writer

Newport's Richard Hatch, winner of the first edition of the reality hit Survivor, appeared last night on Dr. Phil, the syndicated therapy show, saying his 14-year-old adopted son, Chris, had become involved with a 28-year-old sexual predator.

Host Phil McGraw said he was doing the show to help parents protect their children.

According to a transcript of the program, which was taped in Los Angeles about 2 1/2 weeks ago, Hatch said his son met the alleged predator through a third man, a 64-year-old that Chris had encountered on his newspaper route.

Hatch said his son and the 28-year-old had a pair of long phone conversations over the next two days. The following day, they arranged to meet, and the 28-year-old drove away with his son.

Hatch said he called the police -- he did not specify which department -- who found Chris at the 28-year-old's house, hiding under the bed. Hatch said the police arrested the older man.

The commander of the Newport Police Department's detectives bureau was not available last night, so it was unknown whether the arrest occurred in Newport or elsewhere.

The state Department of Children, Youth and Families is not investigating the case. Stephanie Terry, administrator of child protective services, said because the incident did not involve allegations against a caretaker, it was a police matter.

Chris Hatch, who appeared on the show with his father and McGraw, said he never believed he was in any danger.

"Chris still seems interested in this relationship with this particular guy," Hatch said. "He thinks that these two are meant to be together, and he writes about how much he loves and misses him. And he took a knife and carved this guy's initials into his arm."

Hatch was not available for comment last night.

Chandler Hayes, a spokesman for Dr. Phil, said the show's producers had contacted Hatch previously about a project that didn't pan out.

Hayes said Hatch called a Dr. Phil producer on a Sunday and explained the problems he was having with Chris. "He said, 'I don't know what to do,' " Hayes said.

Shortly thereafter, McGraw decided to have both father and son on his show.

Hatch became a national figure after he won the first edition of Survivor in 2000. He also participated in last year's Survivor: All Stars.

In May 2000, Middletown police charged Hatch with abusing his son during an early-morning run, just two days after he returned from the South Pacific island that was the setting for Survivor.

The state Department of Children, Youth and Families removed Chris and placed him in foster care.

Hatch said the charges were false. On May 25, 2000, Family Court Judge Haiganush R. Bedrosian ordered Chris returned to his father.

Hatch sued the DCYF, alleging the agency had violated his civil rights. The lawsuit was dismissed in federal court, and the dismissal was upheld on appeal.

Staff writer Cathleen F. Crowley contributed to this report.