Local 'Survivor' Dre faces paternity lawsuit

Survivor contestant Andria "Dre" Herd spent weeks baking in the Fiji sun, overcoming dehydration, depravation and the relentless plotting of opponents.

The Wilmington native came in second on the show, winning $100,000 and, after a controversial deal with another contestant, a pickup truck valued at $60,000. But back home, the 25-year-old was soon slapped with a paternity lawsuit by a former member of his Wilmington tribe who gave birth to a baby boy Nov. 30.

The lawsuit, filed last month in New Hanover County Superior Court by Amanda S. Young, seeks child support and reimbursement for medical expenses relating to the pregnancy, along with medical insurance coverage for the infant, who is now nearly 7 months old.

Documents filed with the lawsuit include a birth certificate from the New Hanover County Register of Deeds. Young, 23, is listed as the mother. The father's name is not on the certificate.

Court papers list a Walnut Street address for Herd, the defendant.

"Plaintiff and defendant lived together for a period of time in 2006 from approximately the end of January 2006 until April 2006," court papers state. "During this period of time plaintiff and defendant engaged in sexual intercourse and as a consequence plaintiff got pregnant."

The baby's name is Luca Finley Young. Herd has a July 9 Family Court appearance date.

Attempts Friday to contact Herd, Young and her lawyer were not successful.

Herd, a cheerleading coach, often mentioned his "son" to other contestants on the reality show. And though he never mentioned a name on the show, he is also the father of a 2-year-old named Giovanni who has a different mother.

He also talked about living on the streets for a short time as a child and frequenting local soup kitchens, including Good Shepherd House.

His life changed, he said, when he and his brothers took up cheerleading as a hobby and, later, as a profession.

A subpoena for Herd was issued in April by the New Hanover County Sheriff's Office on behalf of child support enforcement.

Herd was ordered to appear in court June 6 and provide verification of income "from all sources" over the previous year, along with all bank statements for the same period.

Staff writer Amy Hotz contributed to this report

Ken Little: 343-2389

ken.little@starnewsonline.com