Thomas Markle Sr, the estranged father of Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, has been taken into custody in Florida following an investigation into allegations involving child sexual abuse material.
The 82-year-old was reportedly arrested near Tampa, with a US Justice Department official confirming the development to Reuters on Friday. Authorities have not publicly provided further details about the arrest.
The investigation reportedly involves images discovered among belongings associated with Markle in the Philippines and Mexico. His son, Thomas Markle Jr, told The Sun that he alerted authorities after finding a large collection while clearing out his father’s former residence in Cebu City.
Markle Sr has strongly rejected the accusations, describing them as false and expressing anger over his son’s claims in an interview with the Daily Mail.
The development follows Meghan’s public statement last month, in which she said she was deeply troubled by the allegations and expressed concern for any children who may have been harmed.
The Duchess also explained that her decision to keep her father away from her children, Archie and Lilibet, was motivated by their protection. She said concerns had previously been raised with London’s Metropolitan Police in 2018.
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