Meghan Markle’s Estranged Father Back Behind Bars After Removing Ankle Monitor: Report
Meghan Markle’s father is back in custody after allegedly cutting off his ankle monitor.
Trigger Warning: This article contains themes of child abuse that some readers may find distressing.
Meghan Markle’s father, Thomas Markle Sr., has been embroiled in controversy following allegations surfaced of child sexual abuse. After an investigation, Thomas Sr. was arrested on charges of possessing child sexual abuse material. In a recent turn of events, he has now been arrested for the second time.
According to reports, the 82-year-old was first arrested in Florida on November 6, and he appeared in court in Tampa the same day but did not enter a plea. He was subsequently released on his own recognizance and allowed to return to his residence at Maravida Senior Living care home in Lakeland, Florida, under the condition that he wear an ankle monitor.
However, on Tuesday, November 10, Thomas Sr. reportedly removed his ankle monitor at around 1:45 a.m., according to First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli, who shared the development on X (formerly Twitter). Thomas was subsequently taken back into custody and booked into Pinellas County Jail. His new mugshot was released shortly after his re-arrest.
Following the incident, Essayli asked the court to revoke his release and keep him in custody until his trial. He wrote, “We are asking the court to revoke his release and detain him pending trial, and we will continue to prosecute this case to the fullest extent of the law.”
U.S. Magistrate Judge Lindsay S. Griffin subsequently revoked his pretrial release. Judge Griffin said in a statement, “I found that the defendant violated the conditions of his pretrial release and that, based on the lack of suitable housing, no condition or combination of conditions would reasonably assure the safety of any other person or the community and the defendant’s appearance in court.”
The investigation reportedly began after Thomas Markle Jr. raised concerns to authorities over material he allegedly found among his father's belongings at his home in the Philippines. He brought attention to two storage units in California that his father had reportedly rented for several years. Thomas Jr. revealed that one of the units contained the Duchess’ old furniture, while the other held his father's Hollywood memorabilia, photographs, books and items dating back to her university days.
The news comes after Meghan made her first public appearance alongside Prince Harry in Brussels yesterday. Although she accompanied him to the European Parliament, the Suits star withdrew from their planned joint speech, with a source allegedly saying she was not feeling "strong enough."
If you know of any children who are being subjected to abuse, please contact The Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at (800) 422-4453.
