If you’ve spent any time down the true crime rabbit hole or caught those old episodes of 48 Hours, you definitely know the name. Harris Todd. Specifically, Benjamin Harris Todd III. He’s the South Carolina stockbroker who became the face of a desperate, two-decade-long search for his daughter, Savanna.
People are still asking today: is Harris Todd still alive?
It’s a fair question. The saga of his ex-wife, Dorothy Lee Barnett, kidnapping their 11-month-old daughter and fleeing across the globe is the stuff of Hollywood movies. But while the "kidnapping mom" got the headlines when she was finally caught in Australia in 2013, Harris Todd sort of faded back into the private life he’d lost for twenty years.
The Short Answer: Yes, Harris Todd is Alive
As of early 2026, there have been no public reports or obituary records indicating that Benjamin Harris Todd III has passed away. He’s very much a private citizen these days, but he remains a figure of intense interest for anyone who followed the "Dear Savanna" case.
Last we heard from him in a significant way, he was dealing with the aftermath of his daughter being found. You have to imagine the emotional whiplash. One day you're a grieving father with a $50 million symbolic judgment against a fugitive ex-wife, and the next, your "baby" is a 20-year-old nursing student in Queensland who calls another man "Dad."
He didn't even show up for Lee Barnett's sentencing back in 2015. His lawyer, Graham Sturgis, stood up and read a note instead. It was a heartbreaking little piece of writing about how he used to look down his driveway, just hoping one day his daughter would be there looking for him.
✨ Don't miss: Melania Trump Wedding Photos: What Most People Get Wrong
What Happened to Harris Todd?
The guy went through a literal war. The divorce between Harris and Lee Barnett in the early '90s wasn't just "messy"—it was radioactive. Harris accused Lee of being violent and having a "bipolar spectrum" disorder. Lee accused Harris of being a controlling, cold manipulator who tricked a psychiatrist into diagnosing her so he could snatch the baby.
A judge eventually sided with Harris, giving him full custody. That’s when Lee Barnett decided to run.
For the next 19 years, Harris Todd was a man on a mission. He appeared on Montel Williams, Sally Jessy Raphael, and basically any news outlet that would listen. He was the "millionaire father" who wouldn't stop looking.
- He hired private investigators.
- He pushed the FBI to keep the case active.
- He won a massive $50 million civil suit against Lee (even though he knew he’d never see a dime of it).
But when Savanna was finally found in 2013, the "victory" was complicated. Savanna—who was going by the name Samantha Geldenhuys—initially stood firmly by her mother. She didn't know a "Harris Todd." She knew a woman who had raised her with love in South Africa and Australia.
Where Is He Now?
Honestly, he’s kept a low profile. Can you blame him? After two decades of being the "aggrieved father" in the public eye, the reality of a 20-year-old daughter who was a stranger must have been incredibly difficult.
🔗 Read more: Erika Kirk Married Before: What Really Happened With the Rumors
Reports from the mid-2010s suggested they were "getting to know each other," but it wasn't a fairy-tale ending. In a 2018 People interview, Harris was blunt about his ex-wife, saying he had "no animosity" but also didn't care if he ever saw her again. He recognized her as his daughter’s mother, and that was that.
He has mostly stayed out of the press since 2019. He lives in the Charleston, South Carolina area, far from the cameras that once documented his every move.
The Controversy That Still Follows Him
Even though Harris Todd is still alive, his reputation is still debated in online forums like Reddit and true crime groups. There are two very distinct "camps" when it comes to Harris:
- The Sympathizers: These folks see him as a victim of a parental kidnapper. To them, he is a father who had his heart ripped out and spent a fortune and half a lifetime trying to do the right thing.
- The Critics: This group points to Lee Barnett’s claims. They look at the fact that Savanna/Samantha chose to support her mother. They wonder if Harris was as "controlling" as Lee claimed during that toxic 13-day trial in 1994.
The truth? It's probably somewhere in the middle. Divorce brings out the absolute worst in people, and when you add millions of dollars and a private investigator into the mix, things get ugly fast.
A Quick Reality Check on the Facts
- Did he find her? Technically, it was an anonymous tip and the FBI/Australian police, but Harris’s constant pressure kept the case from going "cold."
- Is he wealthy? He was a successful stockbroker, which is why the media often labeled him a "millionaire," though much of his wealth was spent on the search.
- Does he see Savanna? They have had contact, but by all accounts, Savanna remains very close to her mother, Lee Barnett, who served her time and was released years ago.
Why This Case Still Matters in 2026
The reason people still search for Harris Todd’s status is that this case represents every parent's worst nightmare—and every parent's most complicated moral dilemma. Is a mother "saving" her child from a toxic father, or is she "stealing" a child's right to have a dad?
💡 You might also like: Bobbie Gentry Today Photo: Why You Won't Find One (And Why That Matters)
Harris is now in his late 70s or early 80s. He’s lived a life defined by an absence. While the legal battles are over and the "baby" is now a grown woman, the scars on both sides are clearly still there.
If you're looking for Harris Todd today, don't expect to find him on social media or doing the talk-show circuit. He's finished with that part of his life. He’s a man who spent 20 years waiting for a phone call, got it, and then had to figure out how to live with the answer.
What to Do if You're Following This Case
If you are interested in the legal precedents set by the Todd/Barnett case, you should look into the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction. It was a massive factor in how Lee Barnett was eventually extradited from Australia.
For those looking for more current updates, checking the South Carolina property and public records is the most reliable way to confirm he is still residing in the area. However, out of respect for a man who spent two decades in a public nightmare, most journalists have given him the space he clearly wants.
Actionable Insights:
- Research the Hague Convention: If you’re interested in international custody, this is the gold standard for legal research.
- Watch the 48 Hours Special: The episode "Dear Savanna" provides the most balanced look at the evidence presented by both Harris and Lee.
- Respect Privacy: While public interest is high, Harris Todd is a private citizen and has not sought the spotlight for several years.