Have you ever had your oil filter disappear? Where did it go?

Help!
I went to have my oil changed (I couldn't do it myself this time) and the service guys told me there was no oil filter in my car. I changed my oil last and do remember recognizing the filter I bought was a lil different and had no structure to it, only the paper filter.
There was some oil loss and my level got quite low. 1qt to 1.5 low. I'm assuming the engine got hot since I figured this all out when my headlight was flickering real bad. When I added oil the headlight worked fine again.

So my best guess is the filter melted? Which is scary to think its still within my system. The only other option is that the service place sucked it out with their pump they used to remove the oil. (There's a valve on my drain that they won't touch, installed by previous owner)
It seems to have a small loss of power and running a little more rough. I haven't checked for codes yet... ill do that next and update.

 

I'm not sure. It was the only one Advanced Auto had at the time. It wasn't necessarily cheap.

 

I do have the 3rd generation plug in and have had to run it like a regular hybrid. I did install the oil filter correctly and when noticed the oil level being so low I added oil then the oil level didn't drop as quick after that. I don't drive my car daily and it was a couple weeks after oil level low that I got it changed. I would have done it myself had I not been having health issues.

 

Sorry about posting in the wrong place. I was looking for a general help area since I felt this to be a maintenance issue and not a model issue.

 

Yes. Am worried

There were no codes from this incident. (Odly) and it has 250k+ miles.

 

Resulting from the oil change - they didn't put oil filter clip back in place and oil filter case has oil drop under it. I discovered this due to protective cover dragging on ground in which when I put up on ramps I reapplied 5 plastic clips to empty spots. I have a clip kit and had replaced any old or missing clips (forgot what their called) to underneath my vehicle when I did my oil change last. I checked my oil and it was over full. I specifically asked them to please don't over fill that it could blow gaskets and changes viscosity of the oil. Then last night I check the oil again after driving 20 min to a mechanic friend and allowed to settle and it's at halfway point between dots. In addition to that there is an obvious leak of oil coating my engine now. It was a little dirty before and now it's noticeably worse. I am not sure how to handle all this. It's obvious the oil service people did a horrible job. So do I need to confront the service center first or bring store management into it first. What demands do I make to fix the issue? It's a Walmart auto care center. (I know it was dumb to take my car and trust it with anybody really and especially walmart. But these bad employees are everywhere, not just walmart) this is a different issue then my original post but it all applies to my engine oil. My mother and I need my cat to drive to San Diego on the 27th and I can't loose my car. Do I need to flush the engine? How do I handle walmart? I have a trusted mechanic friend that is very busy that works in a shop that I can take the work to. I'm sure it'll be costly and will have to put on credit. Still better then car breaking.
Would my engine throw a code if the filter was to desolve and plug a small passage? Will flushing the engine help clear out any dissolved filter? I wish I could do test to see if filters would dissolve at a certain temperature. Any suggestions will be considered. I appreciate all of you and suggestions.

 

No, I have changed oil at intervals suggested by car light. Previous owner was very good and prompt on all services car needed. And did some things that are weak on this generation before they were an issue since it was his wife's car.

 

The problem with the thought of me not actually putting the oil filter back in there is where did it go then? I am capable of admitting when I'm wrong and believe not having put it back in would have the better outcome of the 2 options. I wish this thing had a temp gauge on it. I had made a long trip (300+ miles) after my oil change that I did myself and I had this change done only since the oil had gotten hot when low, smelled burnt and viscosity seemed different. So I knew it needed changed again before our 500+ mile trip.