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Thomas Markle Sr., Meghan Markle’s estranged father, reportedly turned off his ankle monitor after being released from federal prison.
At an emergency hearing Tuesday, Markle Sr., 82, was taken back into federal custody. The U.S. attorney said it was clear that “even with medication” Markle remained agitated.
Markle Sr.’s ankle monitor had been intentionally cut and stabbed to disable it, prosecutors told the judge.
Meghan Markle says she kept her father away from children to ‘protect’ them from ‘disturbing allegations’ against him
Thomas Markle was arrested on November 6 (Jeff Rayner / Coleman-Rayner)
“He allegedly cut the bracelet at 1:45 a.m. last night. The conditions of release are court orders and not suggestions,” First Assistant United States Attorney Bill Essayli of the Central District of California wrote on X.
Markle Sr. was released on bail Friday after his arrest for possessing child sexual abuse images. He was initially placed under house arrest.
Meanwhile, Meghan attended the opening of the Lost Screen Memorial at the European Parliament alongside Prince Harry in Belgium on Tuesday. It was the Duchess of Sussex’s first public appearance since her father’s arrest.
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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle arrive at the European Parliament for the opening of the Lost Screen Memorial on November 10. (Omar Havana/Getty Images)
Federal prosecutors accused Markle for possession of child pornography in a criminal complaint filed Nov. 5.
Markle Sr. denied the allegations against him in a statement to the Daily Mail.
“I am shocked, hurt and very upset that my son is making these accusations against me,” he reportedly said. “I could never do what I’m accused of. It’s the worst thing I could be accused of.”
Meghan Markle is separated from her father, Thomas Markle Sr. (Getty Images)
According to the 14-page complaint obtained by Fox News Digital, FBI agents searched two storage units registered to Markle and seized approximately 78 items, including film negatives, slides and books containing alleged child sexual abuse material. Investigators say Markle had rented the units since 2008 and continued to pay for them until October 2026.
Officers identified approximately 18 suspected illegal images among film negatives recovered from one unit.
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According to the complaint, a witness who knew Markle since the 1970s identified him as the adult man appearing with a prepubescent girl in at least two photographs.
Retired FBI Supervisory Special Agent Jason Pack previously spoke to Fox News Digital about what investigators might do next as the investigation continues.
“Investigators will continue to examine the seized material, work to identify and protect children who may have been injured, and check to see if evidence points to additional victims or offenses,” Pack said. The affidavit says a review is still underway.
Markle’s dementia diagnosis is important but “does not automatically end the case,” Pack stressed.
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Thomas Markle Sr. has denied the allegations. (GC Images)
“The court may need to consider whether he understands the procedure and whether he can assist his attorney,” he added. “This is not the same as asking whether mental illness affected one’s liability at the time of the alleged conduct. These are legal questions for the judge, supported by medical evidence.”
“There’s going to be a court of public opinion because this is a high-profile family and the allegations are disturbing. But headlines and family history don’t decide guilt,” Pack said. “The focus must remain on protecting children who may have been harmed and ensuring that the evidence can be tested in court. A federal indictment is serious. The government must still prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt.”
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