Dog The Bounty Hunter's 13 Children: Names, Mothers, And The Latest Family Controversies In 2025
Duane "Dog" Chapman, the legendary reality TV star and bounty hunter, is known for his large-than-life persona, but his private life is defined by an even larger, complex family. As of December 2025, Dog is a father to 13 children from six different relationships, a sprawling family tree that has been a constant source of both love and highly public drama.
This extensive family has faced everything from tragic loss and reality television fame to shocking legal troubles and bitter family feuds, making the Chapman name synonymous with high-stakes personal life. We dive into the most current and updated details surrounding each of Dog's children, their mothers, and the latest controversies that continue to rock the Chapman clan in late 2025.
Duane "Dog The Bounty Hunter" Chapman: Complete Biography Profile
Duane Lee Chapman, Sr., better known as Dog the Bounty Hunter, is an American bounty hunter, bail bondsman, and reality television personality.
- Full Name: Duane Lee Chapman, Sr.
- Date of Birth: February 2, 1953
- Place of Birth: Denver, Colorado, U.S.
- Age (as of Dec 2025): 72 Years Old
- Career Highlights: Rose to fame on the A&E series Dog the Bounty Hunter (2004–2012), followed by Dog and Beth: On the Hunt and Dog's Most Wanted. His career is marked by his distinctive look and high-profile fugitive captures.
- Number of Children: 13 (Biological and Adopted/Stepchildren)
- Wives and Marriages (6):
- La Fonda Sue Honeycutt (m. 1972; div. 1977)
- Anne M. Tegnell (m. 1979; div. 1982)
- Lyssa Rae Brittain (m. 1982; div. 1991)
- Tawny Marie (m. 1992; div. 2002) - No children from this marriage.
- Beth Chapman (m. 2006; d. 2019) - His most famous relationship.
- Francie Frane (m. 2021; present) - Current wife.
The 13 Children of Dog The Bounty Hunter and Their Mothers
Dog Chapman's family is a complex tapestry woven from six different relationships. The total count of 13 children includes biological offspring, adopted stepchildren, and children who tragically died young. This is the definitive list of Dog's massive brood, categorized by their mothers.
From Relationship with Debbie White (1 Child)
Dog's first child was born before his first marriage, and he was unaware of the child's existence for decades.
- Christopher Michael Hecht (Born 1972): Christopher was put up for adoption after his mother, Debbie White, tragically died by suicide. Dog only became aware of Christopher's existence decades later. Their relationship has been famously tumultuous and often estranged.
From First Wife, La Fonda Sue Honeycutt (2 Children)
Dog and La Fonda Sue Honeycutt were married while Dog was incarcerated in Texas.
- Duane Lee Chapman II (Born 1973): Often featured on the original Dog the Bounty Hunter series, Duane Lee II has had a famously volatile relationship with his father, culminating in a public fallout over finances and the family business.
- Leland Blane Chapman (Born 1976): A fan-favorite, Leland is one of the most active in the bounty hunting business, having appeared on all of Dog's reality shows. He now runs his own successful bail bonds and bounty hunting company in Hawaii.
From Second Wife, Anne M. Tegnell (3 Children)
Dog and Anne M. Tegnell married in 1979 and had three children together.
- Wesley Chapman: Wesley has largely stayed out of the public eye compared to his siblings, though he has spoken about his difficult childhood and his efforts to maintain a relationship with his father.
- James Robert Chapman: Like his brother Wesley, James maintains a lower public profile, occasionally appearing at family gatherings.
- Zebadiah Chapman (Deceased): Zebadiah tragically died shortly after his birth.
From Third Wife, Lyssa Rae Brittain (3 Children)
Lyssa Rae Brittain is the mother of three of Dog's children, including the one who became a reality TV star in her own right.
- Barbara Katie Chapman (Deceased 2006): Barbara tragically died in a car accident in 2006, the day before Dog and Beth were set to marry. Her death was a major emotional blow to the entire family.
- Tucker Dee Chapman: Tucker has had a troubled history, including legal issues that have strained his relationship with his father.
- Lyssa Rae "Baby Lyssa" Chapman (Born 1987): Known as "Baby Lyssa," she was a fixture on the A&E show. She has since stepped away from bounty hunting but remains a public figure and author.
From Fifth Wife, Beth Chapman (2 Biological Children + 1 Adopted Stepdaughter)
Beth Chapman was Dog's partner in life and business, and their relationship produced two children, while Dog also adopted her daughter from a previous relationship.
- Bonnie Joanne Chapman (Born 1998): Bonnie has gained headlines in recent years due to a very public and bitter feud with her father, alleging homophobic and racist comments, and claiming she was not invited to his 2021 wedding to Francie Frane.
- Garry Chapman (Born 2000): Garry has recently been in the news due to a high-profile controversy. He was reportedly fired from his position as a police officer in Priceville, Alabama, following a high-speed chase that resulted in a fatal car crash involving an uninvolved teenager.
- Cecily Barmore-Chapman (Adopted Stepdaughter): Cecily is Beth's daughter from a previous marriage, whom Dog adopted. She, along with Bonnie, was also reportedly not invited to Dog's wedding to Francie, leading to an ongoing, highly publicized family rift.
The Thirteenth Child: Jon Chapman
In a recent surprise revelation, Dog confirmed the existence of another son, Jon, bringing the total count to 13. Details about Jon and his mother are scarce, but his existence further complicates the already sprawling Chapman family dynamic.
The Latest Family Controversies and Heartbreak in 2025
The Chapman family has never shied away from the spotlight, and 2025 has brought a new wave of highly personal and tragic news that continues to define the family's public image and internal struggles.
Garry Chapman's Firing and Legal Fallout
One of the most shocking updates of late 2025 involves Garry Chapman, Dog's son with the late Beth Chapman. Garry, who had pursued a career in law enforcement, was reportedly fired from the Priceville Police Department. The termination followed a tragic incident where a high-speed chase involving Garry resulted in a fatal crash that killed an uninvolved teenager. This event has cast a dark shadow over the family and has become a major legal and emotional hurdle for Garry and the entire Chapman clan.
The Ongoing Feud With Daughters Bonnie and Cecily
The rift between Dog and his daughters, Bonnie and Cecily, remains a significant and unresolved issue. The feud first erupted when both daughters publicly stated they were not invited to Dog's 2021 wedding to Francie Frane. The controversy deepened as Bonnie accused her father of making racist and homophobic remarks, which Dog has denied. This family drama plays out frequently on social media, keeping the public informed of the deep divide within the family, especially since the death of their mother, Beth Chapman.
Tragic Loss in The Extended Family
In a heartbreaking turn of events, Dog and his current wife, Francie Frane, mourned the loss of Francie's 13-year-old grandson, Anthony. Reports indicate Anthony was killed in an accidental shooting earlier in 2025. While Anthony was not Dog's biological grandson, the loss deeply affected the blended Chapman-Frane family, adding another layer of grief to their already complicated lives.
Topical Authority: The Chapman Legacy on Reality TV
The public's fascination with Dog's children stems directly from their exposure on reality television. Leland and Lyssa "Baby Lyssa" Chapman were integral parts of the original Dog the Bounty Hunter series, showcasing their skills and struggles in the bounty hunting world. Their participation cemented the show's success and established the Chapman family as a reality TV dynasty.
The later shows, including Dog and Beth: On the Hunt and Dog's Most Wanted, continued to feature the family, particularly Beth, Bonnie, and Garry. This constant media presence has made their personal dramas—from Leland's public split from the show to Bonnie's ongoing estrangement—major news events, blurring the lines between their private lives and their on-screen personas.
The legacy of the Chapman family is one of high-octane action mixed with profound personal struggle. As of late 2025, Dog's children continue to navigate life with the heavy baggage of their famous surname, ensuring that the Chapman family saga remains one of the most compelling and controversial stories in reality television history.
Detail Author:
- Name : Ms. Vivian Donnelly
- Username : aliya17
- Email : aiyana79@brown.org
- Birthdate : 1975-09-16
- Address : 729 Wehner Road Suite 545 West Shannyhaven, OR 53367-7941
- Phone : +1-830-859-6304
- Company : Hills-Wilkinson
- Job : Occupational Therapist Assistant
- Bio : Qui ea error molestias nemo. Vel similique et sint aut. Illo veniam et enim velit sed ut quos earum.
Socials
twitter:
- url : https://twitter.com/koss2011
- username : koss2011
- bio : Delectus quaerat eum quod dolore reiciendis iusto. Et placeat odit minus libero. Velit provident sed deserunt voluptas.
- followers : 125
- following : 728
linkedin:
- url : https://linkedin.com/in/koss2000
- username : koss2000
- bio : Possimus dolore nihil placeat qui.
- followers : 6617
- following : 530
facebook:
- url : https://facebook.com/deron_id
- username : deron_id
- bio : Blanditiis dignissimos nisi rerum consectetur omnis dolore qui.
- followers : 3650
- following : 663
