Thomas Markle Sr. has been arrested.
Per multiple reports, Meghan Markle‘s estranged father was cuffed on Friday by FBI agents at his senior home in Lakeland, Florida.
He’s being charged with possession of child sexual abuse material after federal agents raided storage units in his name in California and found disturbing photos of Thomas Sr. with young girls.
This comes just weeks after the 82-year-old’s son, Thomas Markle Jr., discovered different alleged CSAM at his father’s home in the Philippines. Speaking to The Sun, Jr. said at the time:
“When I found this material, I was horrified and I had no option but to report my dad. I have supported, cared for him and helped him for years — but that stops now. I won’t speak to my father ever again unless I’m called to give evidence against him.”
Related: Meghan Markle CONFRONTED Dad In Final Letter
Prince Harry‘s wife released her own statement at the time, revealing a 2018 letter from authorities regarding similar allegations had been disclosed to her — and that was the reason she made her estrangement from him permanent and vowed to never let him meet her kids!
“I am deeply distressed at the news that has come to light in the last 24 hours, and my thoughts are with any children who may have been harmed. In 2018, a letter was sent to the Metropolitan Police and Royalty and Specialist Protection. That letter was subsequently shared with me. It made troubling and disturbing allegations against my father and I was given assurances that these were being investigated. I hope it can now be understood that, despite certain media publications’ distortion over the years, any distance from my father and my choice to not allow him to have contact with our children, was for one reason: to protect them. I trusted that the authorities were doing the same for other families. Although the breadth of what has now been uncovered is more sickening than one could ever imagine, my sincerest hope is that justice will be fully served and that the priority remains the safety and protection of innocent children.”
Thomas Sr. has denied wrongdoing, calling the claims “sick lies,” saying in a statement:
“I’m shocked, I’m hurt and I’m very upset that my son is making these accusations against me. I could never do what I’m being accused of. It’s the worst thing anyone could accuse me of. This is bulls***. It’s just a bunch of lies. It’s sick. I have no idea why Tom is trying to destroy me with these lies.”
Just this week we learned he’d recently been diagnosed with dementia, and there were concerns this could affect the FBI’s investigation, but clearly they’re moving forward.
If you have sincere cause to suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org.
If you or someone you know has experienced sexual violence and would like to learn more about resources, consider checking out https://www.rainn.org/resources.
[Image via Good Morning Britain/YouTube/Avalon/WENN]
