New Zealand - Tom Phillips, 34, & his 3 children, poss in remote bushland, Marokopa, Dec'21 (prev 11 Sep 2021 *dad charged*)

[threesevenninefour]

This man seems incredibly unstable, to say the very least. The fact he was smashing windows and robbing shops in the presence of one of his kids is very worrying. The only positive is it seems something (desperation?) has driven him out of complete hiding and into civilization—hopefully, that means the authorities will have an easier time tracking and finding him. Really hoping all the kids are safe and at least have their basic needs met…it’s so been long that they’ve been gone.

 

[chimpface]

New Zealand’s two-year search in wilderness for fugitive father and three missing children

Other than a few sightings around the vast Waikato region, mystery surrounds whereabouts of Tom Phillips and welfare of his three children

www.theguardian.com

 

[StillDiggin]

We believe Tom and the children are hiding out in Western Waikato within Marokopa or the surrounding areas,' Acting Detective Inspector Andrew Saunders said.

'Although the environment is challenging for investigators, we continue to devote resources to this operation and follow up on all reported sightings.'

Major update in case of missing father and his three children

A father and his three young children who have been missing for over two years are believed to be hiding out in an area of remote bushland.

www.dailymail.co.uk

 

[Howl]

This man seems incredibly unstable, to say the very least. The fact he was smashing windows and robbing shops in the presence of one of his kids is very worrying.

The kids are being raised by a crazy paranoid guy, deprived of a happy, secure childhood and are missing out on years of schooling, friends and normal socialization. It's very sad.

 

[caradana]

A completely fascinating article in Slate about this case, by Dan Kois, who can write: A Family’s Disappearance Rocked New Zealand. What Came After Has Stunned Everyone.
So worth the read. Do not miss! …

And a short follow-up interview with him, where he voiced an interesting perspective on interest in missing persons. I’m going to quote part below the link, <10%, this is from Sunday Long Read which is run by vastly respected MSM leaders:

For Slate writer Dan Kois, everything is copy — except some stuff

In 2021, a New Zealand father and his three young children went missing. When they casually reappeared 17 days later, after apparently camping in the deep bush but neglecting to tell anyone where t…

sundaylongread.com

“It seems that with this story, it evolved into a whole separate conversation in New Zealand and elsewhere about how we should raise children and how much time we should spend outdoors. Did this story just become a blank canvas for people to add other elements to?

That often happens with missing persons cases. But it happened particularly in this case because everyone at the center of it was so resolutely blank, no one was talking. Phillips has never talked to the press; his family, with a few exceptions early on in the initial search, has barely talked to the press. And New Zealand has some really specific laws surrounding custody cases and family court, which really tied the hands of local reporters as to what they could dig up and report about the family situation. So you have this case that was consuming New Zealand news, but there was nothing to report and that obviously creates this void into which all these ideas flow. They rushed to fill that empty space.”

 

[Howl]

A completely fascinating article in Slate about this case, by Dan Kois, who can write: A Family’s Disappearance Rocked New Zealand. What Came After Has Stunned Everyone.
So worth the read.

Excellent read, and thanks for posting the link.
The article ends with this powerful statement, and I have to agree.
"I once thought perhaps their father was giving them a gift, the adventure of a lifetime. Instead, he stole their childhoods."

I personally consider it criminal (literally, a crime rather than a figure of speech) to rob children of literacy and an education. Those kids are not receiving any type of decent education, if they are being educated at all.

And yes, I agree he's being protected and aided by family/friends who don't care that he's putting his kids in insanely dangerous situations, including and especially armed robbery. Consider this scenario: They are out in the middle of nowhere. Phillips has an accident and either dies or is incapacitated and the kids are unable to self rescue. Hopefully the reality is that the kids are being cared for in someone's home, so that have some stability.

The best outcome right now is that all three kids are still alive.

 

[Unalienable Rights]

$80k reward for information leading to safe return of missing Marokopa kids

The children have been missing since December 2021 after they were taken by their father Tom Phillips.

www.1news.co.nz

*****
Today, police announced a reward of $80,000 to anyone with information that would lead to the location and safe return of the children.

"We believe that Tom and the children are being assisted, and we're urging anyone who's doing this to please stop, do the right thing and tell Police what you know," Acting Detective Inspector Andrew Saunders said.

"We are committed to finding these children, and we're willing to take the step of offering a reward if it proves the tipping point to help people put the children's welfare first."

****
Immunity against prosecution "will be considered" for anyone who has committed an offence in helping Phillips, if they provide information or evidence that leads to the location and safe return of the children.

The offer will remain available until June 25.

Anyone with information is being asked to call police on 105, quoting the file number 211218/5611, or email op.curly@police.govt.nz.

Anyone who sees Phillips is being asked to call 111 "immediately".

"Police consider him to be armed, and he should not be approached," Saunders said.

*****
Also today, police launched a "new phase" in its investigation, deploying a team to Marokopa.

"Police will be visible in the community over the coming days, and we encourage anyone with credible knowledge of the whereabouts of the Phillips children who is prepared to assist the investigation team to make themselves known to our officers."

More at link.

 

[StillDiggin]

Police contacted with claims of information on missing family after reward issued

Ember, 8, Maverick, 9, and Jayda, 10, have been missing since December 2021.

www.nzherald.co.nz

 

[StillDiggin]

Family member of missing Marokopa dad: 'Leave Tom alone'

Police manhunt continues, two days after a $80,000 reward was offered for information leading to Tom Phillips and his three children.

www.1news.co.nz

Missing in Marokopa: An expert's tips on how to find Tom Phillips and his children

A former SAS tracker says police need to be using a specialist army team to hunt out Marokopa man Tom Phillips and his three children.

www.rnz.co.nz

 

[vls12345]

I am glad to see the new push in this case. I hope the children are found healthy and that the situation is resolved in a safe manner.

 

[Howl]

I am glad to see the new push in this case. I hope the children are found healthy and that the situation is resolved in a safe manner.

100% this. The dad is such a wing nut, I deeply, truly hope he and the relative/friends who may be sheltering him + kids are not the armed standoff type.

 

[Calcano]

On one hand, I get the sense he has been shacked up with another woman who has been aiding him and the kids. In addition to people involved in the case indicating this possibility, I also find it very difficult to believe he's been able to conceal himself and three children for years in the wilderness exclusively without detection.

Then again, why is one of the children accompanying him on robberies? Why the robberies at all if he's supported by someone? Why is he purchasing items that suggest the makings of an outdoor camp? Maybe this is a situation where he is hiding in a camp on or near someone's property but not in their home?

Sadly, this man seems able to successfully hide despite being mentally unwell. The part that scares me the most is that he doesn't strike me as someone who will ever allow himself (and by extension, the children) to be captured alive. MOO.

 

[StillDiggin]

'It is child abuse': Mum of Marokopa kids makes plea - 'bring my babies home'

Phillips has been on the run for 30 months. He's accused of robbing a bank while at large.

www.nzherald.co.nz

 

[StillDiggin]

'I have a good heart': Mother of Marokopa kids releases letter from fugitive dad

'I don’t know what to say or do to help you forgive me,' the letter says.

www.nzherald.co.nz

 

[StillDiggin]

Missing Marokopa children: Police tried to get other family members to join appeal

The children's mum was the only family member to speak during a recent police operation.

www.nzherald.co.nz

 

[StillDiggin]

Missing Marokopa children: Police in area after reported sighting

Tom Phillips and his three children Ember, Maverick, and Jayda Phillips have been missing since December 2021.

www.1news.co.nz

 

[LeahBee]

Missing Marokopa children: Police in area after reported sighting

Tom Phillips and his three children Ember, Maverick, and Jayda Phillips have been missing since December 2021.

www.1news.co.nz

If this sighting is accurate, it's reassuring all the children were seen. I was so scared when I think only one was seen during the robbery...
I hope these kids can be recovered safely and soon. I don't know what his guy is thinking, but it can't be "what's best for the kiddos" exposing them to such dangers imo

 

[Unalienable Rights]

'Credible sighting': Marokopa kids seen together for first time since going missing

The family has been missing since December 2021.

www.nzherald.co.nz

Police have determined the sighting of missing man Tom Phillips and his three children last week was “credible”.

*****
“This is the first time all three of the children have been sighted, which is positive information, and we know it will be reassuring for the children’s wider family.”

After a three-day search, including the use of a military helicopter, “nothing further of significance” was found, according to police.

*****

 

[Unalienable Rights]

Video footage of Tom Phillips and the three children. Includes interview with the grandfather of one of the pig hunters who saw them. He said that his grandson talked briefly with one of the children. The grandson noticed that Phillips was carrying a gun, so he didn't pursue the conversation further.

Watch: Footage of Tom Phillips, children released after fresh sighting

Footage of Tom Phillips and his three children has been shared for the first time since they went missing.

www.1news.co.nz

Quote from the grandfather:

"My grandson rang me. He was out there and they do a bit of hunting," he told 1News.

"He and his friend saw this guy with three kids walking along the trail, and you know these kids today, the first thing they do is pull out a phone."

McOviney said his grandson "clicked onto it" and recalled the children going missing with their father.

*****
See the linked article for more of the story.

 

[Unalienable Rights]

Mum overwhelmed by footage of missing kids

The mother of three children missing with their fugitive father Tom Phillips since 2021 was overwhelmed with relief by a video apparently showing...

www.odt.co.nz

*****
The children’s mother, Cat, was overwhelmed with relief to see her they were alive, Stuff reported.

“I just broke down - they’re alive! There’s three of them there and they’re walking under their own steam, obviously carrying everything on their backs.

"This is the first time [I’ve seen them] in nearly three years.”

*****

'They’re all alive': Mum relieved to see kids missing for nearly 3 years in video

Cat became emotional watching her children disappear back into rugged farmland.

www.nzherald.co.nz

*****
Their mother, Cat, was emotional when she spoke to the Herald about getting proof her three children – whom she last saw in 2021 – were alive and seemingly in good health.

She instantly recognised each child, captured briefly on a phone camera walking in single file along rugged farm terrain.

“I’m so happy that they’re all there.

“I’m so relieved to see all three of my babies. They’re all alive.”

*****
See both articles for more.