Meghan Markle’s Father Reportedly Arrested in Florida Amid Disputed Child Pornography Allegations
Meghan Markle’s estranged father, Thomas Markle Sr., has reportedly been arrested in Florida on allegations of possessing child sexual abuse material, according to Page Six.
The outlet’s Nov. 6 report cited sources who said federal agents took the 82-year-old into custody Friday at Maravida Senior Living in Lakeland. The Daily Mail first reported the arrest, according to Page Six, which said it had contacted the FBI.
The supplied report does not include an FBI response or details from a charging document. Thomas Sr. has denied his son’s allegations.
The reported arrest follows an investigation in the Philippines. Page Six previously reported that the Cebu City Police Office was investigating after Thomas Markle Jr. allegedly found child sexual abuse material in his father’s home and handed it to local police.
Speaking to the Sun, Thomas Jr., 60, claimed he discovered “hundreds, if not thousands” of images in storage boxes kept among family belongings.
“When I found this material, I was horrified, and I had no option but to report my dad,” he told the outlet.
Those claims have sparked a bitter dispute within the family. Meghan’s half-sister, Samantha Markle, defended their father and accused Thomas Jr. of making the allegations for financial gain.
“There is no merit in these disgusting allegations whatsoever, and my brother is disgusting for making them up. He wants to destroy our dad. Shame on him,” Samantha told the Daily Mail.
Samantha also alleged during an appearance on Dan Wootton Outspoken that her brother wanted revenge after their father cut him off financially. Her partner, Mark Phillips, likewise disputed Thomas Jr.’s account in comments to Page Six.
The Daily Mail subsequently alleged that a reporter found additional material in a storage unit Thomas Sr. had abandoned in Mexico. That remains an allegation attributed to the newspaper, not a court finding described in the supplied report.
Reports about the investigation have also addressed Thomas Sr.’s health. According to the Sun, he has been diagnosed with dementia and was staying at a Lakeland facility specializing in dementia care. Page Six reported that he moved from Cebu to Florida in May after a stroke that led to a blood clot and the subsequent amputation of his left leg.
Meghan, meanwhile, said she was “deeply disturbed” by the investigation. In a statement to Page Six, she said her “thoughts are with any children who may have been harmed” and expressed hope that “the priority remains the safety and protection of innocent children.”
Thomas Sr. has forcefully rejected his son’s account.
“I’m shocked, I’m hurt and I’m very upset that my son is making these accusations against me,” he told the Daily Mail.
The allegations remain disputed. An arrest is not a finding of guilt.
Source: Page Six.