The mom of three kids who disappeared with their father three years ago has spoken out after hunters spotted them out in the wilderness.
Footage of Tom Phillips and his kids Ember, 8, Maverick, 9, and Jayda, 11, was captured by a group of teenage pig hunters on October 3 as they trekked through the bush in New Zealand.
It marked the first sighting of the family members since they disappeared from their family home in December 2021 following a dispute with the mother, Cat.
A national search got underway, and police speculated the group had been hiding and camping in the North Island's western Waikato region.
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However, they have so far failed to track them down, despite a $48,800 (NZ$80,000) appeal for information.
In the footage captured last week, one person identified as Phillips could be seen walking through the wilderness with three children tailing behind him.
New Zealand's 1News reports the teenagers managed to make contact with one of the children, and asked if anyone knew they were there.
In response, the child said: "Only you."
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Phillips was reported to have been carrying a gun, while the kids were wearing masks and carrying backpacks. All were wearing camouflage clothing.
Police confirmed the sighting was 'credible'; a result Cat described as 'overwhelming'.
Speaking to the New Zealand Herald, the mom said: “I just broke down ... I can’t see their faces but I can see them walking and they’re all there, and they’re capable of carrying their own bags.”
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Though the sighting offered the mom some reassurance, she pointed out her kids 'shouldn’t have to be worrying about where they’re going to sleep that night or whether they’re going to be warm'.
Police deployed a military helicopter to try and track down the family members after the sighting, but so far, the search has proved futile.
Still, Cat said she is 'eternally grateful' to the teenager who caught evidence of Phillips with the children.
“I am so grateful to him, and I cannot express myself enough because so many people see things out there and they don’t have the courage to come forward," she said.
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The mom has expressed belief her children are being used as 'pawns' by their father, and that after years on the run, she wants her kids to be able to live life properly, rather than 'just survive'.
“I love them so much," she said. "We miss them and they’re amazing and they’re so strong and then we just, we’re waiting here, we’re waiting for them to come back. We’re waiting with open arms.”
Detective Inspector Andrew Saunders, of the New Zealand police, expressed belief that Phillips and the children are 'being assisted' while out in the wild.
"We’re urging anyone who’s doing this to please stop, do the right thing and tell police what you know," he said.
Topics: New Zealand, Police, Crime
Emily Brown