Meghan Markle’s dad, Thomas, arrested in Florida on child porn charges

See more of our coverage in your search results. Meghan Markle’s estranged father, Thomas Markle Sr., was arrested for possession of child porn in Florida on Friday, sources confirmed to The Post. Federal agents took Thomas Sr., 82, into custody at the Maravida Senior Living care home in Lakeland, Florida where he’s been living, the Daily Mail first reported. Page Six has reached out to the FBI. Meghan Markle’s estranged father, Thomas Markle Sr. (pictured above in Los Angeles in 2021), has been arrested following an investigation into allegations that he possessed child pornography. BACKGRID Thomas Sr. is under investigation by the Cebu City Police Office in the Philippines after child sexual abuse material was allegedly discovered in his home. As Page Six previously reported, Thomas Sr. was under investigation by the Cebu City Police Office in the Philippines after child sexual abuse material was allegedly discovered in his home and turned over to local police by his son, Thomas Markle Jr. According to the Sun, which first reported the news, Thomas Jr., 60, said he found “hundreds, if not thousands” of images — some allegedly depicting girls between the ages of 10 and 11 engaging in “sex acts” — in storage boxes kept among family “mementos.” “When I found this material, I was horrified, and I had no option but to report my dad,” Thomas Jr. told the outlet. Thomas Sr. (pictured above on ITV’s “Good Morning Britain” in 2023) was turned over to local police by his son, Thomas Markle Jr. ITV Thomas Jr. said he found “hundreds, if not thousands” of images, telling the Sun, “When I found this material, I was horrified, and I had no option but to report my dad.” (Thomas Sr. is seen above in Mexico in 2017.) Karl Larsen / BACKGRID Meghan’s half-sister, Samantha Markle, defended their father after news of the investigation broke, accusing their brother of making the allegations for personal financial gain. “There is no merit in these disgusting allegations whatsoever, and my brother is disgusting for making them up. He wants to destroy our dad. Shame on him,” Samantha, 61, told the Daily Mail in part. She also claimed to Dan Wootton Outspoken that Thomas Jr. was seeking “revenge” after allegedly being cut off financially by their father. Samantha’s partner, Mark Phillips, also pushed back against the allegations, telling Page Six, “I will say one thing: It’s bulls–t,” adding that Thomas Jr. had “sold the dad out with lies” before. Meghan’s half-sister, Samantha Markle (pictured above with Thomas Sr. and Thomas Jr.), defended their father after news of the investigation broke, accusing their brother of making the allegations for personal financial gain. @tauerbach/Twitter Samantha also claimed to Dan Wootton Outspoken that Thomas Jr. was seeking “revenge” after allegedly being cut off financially by their father. (She is seen above with her father, Thomas Sr. and her brother, Thomas Jr.) @tauerbach/Twitter Want more celebrity and pop culture news? Start your day with Page Six Daily. Thanks for signing up! Days later, the Daily Mail alleged that one of their reporters found additional “vile” materials in Thomas Sr.’s abandoned storage unit in Mexico. The Sun reported that he has been diagnosed with dementia and was staying in a care facility in Lakeland, Florida specializing in “dementia care.” He was seen being pushed in a wheelchair by aides at the facility last Saturday. Thomas Sr. left his home in Cebu in May for Florida following a stroke that led to a blood clot, and the subsequent amputation of his left leg. Meghan, for her part, said she’s “deeply disturbed” by the investigation into her father, noting that other “troubling and disturbing” allegations made against him in 2018 contributed to their estrangement. In a statement to Page Six, the Duchess of Sussex, 45, said her “thoughts are with any children who may have been harmed” and expressed hope that “the priority remains the safety and protection of innocent children.” Meghan (pictrued above in Sydney, Australia, in April) said she was “deeply disturbed” by the investigation into her father, noting that other “troubling and disturbing” allegations made against him in 2018 contributed to their estrangement. Getty Images Thomas Sr. (seen above appearing on ITV’s “Good Morning Britain”) has dismissed his son’s allegations as “sick lies” and denied the accusations against him, telling the Daily Mail in part, “I’m shocked, I’m hurt and I’m very upset that my son is making these accusations against me.” Good Morning Britain / ITV1 Meanwhile, Thomas Sr. has denied his son’s allegations and slammed them as “sick lies.” “I’m shocked, I’m hurt and I’m very upset that my son is making these accusations against me,” Thomas Sr. told the Daily Mail. “I could never do what I’m being accused of. It’s the worst thing anyone could accuse me of. “This is bulls–t. It’s just a bunch of lies. It’s sick. I have no idea why Tom is trying to destroy me with these lies.” Community Guidelines Welcome to the Page Six Community! Our community is about connecting people through open and thoughtful conversations. We want our readers to share their views and exchange ideas in a safe space. 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