Police say they have concerns for the welfare of three missing Marokopa children , but will not comment on specific details of information received regarding the whereabouts of fugitive father Tom Phillips. Acting Detective Inspector Andrew Saunders said in a statement this evening police have continued to receive and assess information today after an $80,000 reward was posted this week for information leading to the safe return of Ember, Maverick and Jayda Phillips. “We have concerns for the welfare of the children who have been living in isolation for the past two-and-a-half years, with no connection to others and without formal education and health care,” Saunders said.
“Our investigators are assessing and following up on all relevant information that has been received and we are unable to comment on specific details of reports at this time.” Saunders said police had “regularly received reports” of alleged sightings of the family during the two-and-a-half years since the missing persons investigations began. “All reports are assessed and followed up on by investigators as required.
“While we acknowledge that there are varying views held on this missing person investigation, police remain focused on the location and safe return of the Phillips children,” Saunders said. It comes after the general manager of a Waikato hotel and thermal baths said police came to the remote complex the night a woman said she saw Tom Phillips there with his children. Okoroire H.