Dad took teen son on ‘digital detox’ in Brazilian forest for ‘Naked and Afraid’ stunt
An irresponsible father took his teenage son on a dangerous adventure deep into the Brazilian wilderness in an attempt to disconnect from technology, leading to a week-long disappearance and criminal charges. Mark Alexander Cummings Rogers, 48, faces charges of endangering his 13-year-old son’s life after secretly taking him into a forest in Balneário Camboriú to recreate the extreme survival experience seen on the reality show “Naked and Afraid.”
The popular show challenges participants to survive for 21 days in the wild with no food, water, or basic supplies. In a reckless attempt to mimic the show, Cummings Rogers and his son, who are California natives but have been living in Brazil for six years, went missing on August 28 when the boy failed to show up for school.
Local authorities launched a search operation, posting missing-person posters and using drones to search the area. The father and son’s cellphones were found abandoned at a construction site, along with the father’s Jeep with US license plates nearby. Additionally, police found two starving cats left behind in Cummings Roger’s apartment.
After six days of intense searching, the pair was discovered in a secluded part of the forest, both in poor health. The boy was extremely hungry and thirsty, immediately devouring a large piece of cake and bread upon being rescued. They had survived by consuming passion fruit, cacti, and tap water, and had built a makeshift leaf tent for shelter.
The teen, who is reportedly a Nicaraguan citizen, was placed in the care of family friends under child protective services. Cummings Rogers, a real estate agent in Santa Catarina, was released from custody but could face up to a year in prison if convicted of endangering his son’s life. Friends of the troubled father noted that he had been behaving strangely before embarking on the ill-fated trip.
The incident serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of reckless behavior and the importance of proper planning and preparation when venturing into the wilderness.
