Mom of children who vanished with father three years ago shares her 'belief' on why he took them

The mom of three kids who disappeared with their dad in 2021 has issued an appeal following a recent sighting of the family.

In 2021, Tom Phillips and his children Jayda, 11, Maverick, 9 and Ember, 8, vanished from their family home in New Zealand after Tom had a dispute with their mother, Cat.

Earlier this month on October 3, there was a 'credible' sighting of them, and the children's mom has spoken out about what she believes her ex-partner is doing.

Cat last saw her children in 2021 (New Zealand Herald)

Despite a national search being launched and police's $48,800 (NZ$80,000) appeal for information, Tom and the children managed to remain out of reach until they were spotted by a group of teenage pig hunters.

The group took a video of the family, and in the video, Tom can be seen leading his children through the bush in New Zealand.

One of the group even said they managed to talk to one of the kids and asked if anyone knew they were there, to which they child allegedly said, as reported by New Zealand's 1News: "Only you."

While Cat was 'grateful' to the group for taking the recording and it felt like Christmas came 'early,' she noted it 'doesn't get any easier,' accusing Tom of not actually having 'care for them' but seeing the kids as 'just pawns in this game'.

Police believe others are helping Tom Phillips evade authorities (New Zealand Police)

Cat told the New Zealand Herald newspaper yesterday she believes her ex-partner 'thinks he's above everybody' and has taken the kids to 'try to teach [her] a lesson'.

Tom is accused of committing several crimes while on the run with the kids such as theft.

Cat said: "It’s unbelievable, really, who does that sort of thing? That should speak to a person’s frame of mind if they find that acceptable. They’re innocent, they do not deserve this.

"They shouldn’t have to be worrying about where they’re going to sleep that night or whether they’re going to be warm," she continued. "It’s like every day [I’m] grieving ... the loss of three childhoods, the loss of innocence, the loss of my babies, they deserve better."

Police believe others may be helping Tom and Cat has appealed to them to help bring the children home from what she calls is 'abuse'.

The mom resolved she 'really thought they would be coming home this time,' but while it's a 'confirmed sighting' 'nothing has come of it' yet, stating: "There’s three children still missing with a criminal at large."

UNILAD has contacted New Zealand police for comment.