Police have released the first images of a campsite where a New Zealand father, Tom Phillips, allegedly hid with his three children for several years. Two of Phillips' children were discovered in this Waikato region site shortly after he was killed in a shootout with police. Authorities state that the children are 'doing well' but will require time to recuperate from their harrowing ordeal.
Phillips disappeared with his children—Jayda, Maverick, and Ember—just before Christmas in 2021, following a loss of legal custody. After nearly four years as a fugitive, he died during a police confrontation intended to address a reported burglary.
New Zealand Police Commissioner Richard Chambers condemned Phillips for placing his children in dangerous situations, stressing their current welfare is under firm supervision from the state. A cache of firearms and ammunition was also discovered at the campsite, which highlights the perilous conditions under which the children were kept.
The police are now concentrating their investigations on how Phillips managed to avoid capture for so long, delving into his access to firearms and the implications of his actions on child welfare. Meanwhile, the children’s mother has expressed relief that her kids are safe but is mourning the distressing events leading to their return.
