Meghan Markle’s father arrested on suspicion of possessing child sexual abuse material
The 82-year-old was taken into custody by the FBI
Thomas Markle, Meghan Markle’s 82-year-old father, has found himself at the centre of a major scandal. FBI agents took him into custody at Maravida Senior Living, a care home in Lakeland, Florida. He is suspected of possessing child sexual abuse material, the Daily Mail reports.
According to the publication, investigators began looking into Thomas after prohibited material was allegedly discovered in several locations linked to him in Mexico and the Philippines over the past few weeks.
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The newspaper reports that his arrest in the United States followed journalists passing information to federal law enforcement about a discovery at a storage unit rented by Thomas near his former home in Rosarito, Mexico. A cache of child sexual abuse material was reportedly found there.
Developments in the Philippines have also drawn attention to the case. According to the publication, local police are allegedly close to filing formal charges against Markle after images depicting the sexual abuse of children were discovered at his former home.
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Thomas Markle has spent recent years living outside the United States. Last year, while in the Philippines, he underwent a leg amputation and subsequently relied on a wheelchair to get around. He returned to the US in the spring and settled in Florida.
Markle recently moved into Maravida Senior Living, a facility specialising in care for people with dementia. According to the Daily Mail, accommodation there costs around $3,900 a month. He had already settled into the facility before his arrest.
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, and her father have long had a strained relationship. Media reports suggest that their relationship began to deteriorate when Meghan was still a teenager. The family rift has repeatedly made headlines and sparked public controversy.
The investigation is ongoing.
Photos: Instagram @meghan, @meghan_mountbatten_windsor, @pinkladiesepping1
