Arrested in Florida, Meghan Markle’s father faces child abuse material charges in multinational probe
Arrest in Lakeland
Federal agents reportedly took Thomas Markle Sr. into custody at his senior living care residence in Lakeland, Florida. The 82-year-old is Meghan Markle’s father. According to the Daily Mail, the arrest followed the discovery of alleged indecent materials in the Philippines and Mexico in recent weeks, during a multinational criminal investigation.
Reports of seized material
Federal agents were reportedly notified that child abuse material had been found in a storage unit Markle rented near his former residence in Rosarito, Mexico. Mexican police raided the unit early in November. The Daily Mail reported that investigators found images of naked Asian females and magazines depicting child sexual abuse in the unit.
Family reports to authorities
Thomas Markle Jr., Meghan’s half-brother, was the first to alert the FBI, according to the report. He allegedly found disturbing material in the Philippines home he had shared with his father.
Meghan’s response
Meghan Markle issued a statement after the allegations became public, saying she was aware of them. She said she had deliberately kept her estranged father apart from her children with Prince Harry.
Key points
- Thomas Markle Sr. was reportedly arrested at his care residence in Lakeland, Florida.
- The investigation concerns alleged material found in Mexico and the Philippines.
- Thomas Markle Jr. reportedly alerted the FBI and mentioned two Los Angeles storage units.
- Meghan Markle said she knew of the allegations and kept her father distant from her children.