WARNING: THIS ARTICLE CONTAINS DETAILS OF GRAPHIC CONTENT.
Thomas Markle Sr. has been released on bond and will return to the Florida dementia care where he was arrested Friday for possession of child porn.
In a shocking decision, hours after Markle’s arrest, the prosecution and defense agreed to a bond hearing, which ultimately resulted in his release.
The 82-year-old, who wore a black T-shirt and black pants, was wheeled into the courtroom in a wheelchair and escorted by two US Marshals.
As Page Six previously reported, Markle was arrested in Florida earlier on Friday.
Federal agents took Meghan Markle’s estranged father into custody at the Maravida Senior Living care home in Lakeland, Florida, where he had been living.
According to a federal criminal complaint obtained by Page Six, FBI agents searched two storage units rented by Markle in the Los Angeles area on Oct. 30 and Nov. 4.
The agents seized approximately 78 items, including material suspected of containing child sexual abuse imagery.
The complaint also alleges that Thomas Sr. appears in two images alongside an underage girl.
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.
He vehemently denied the claims to the Daily Mail after his son went public with his alleged findings.
“I’m shocked, I’m hurt and I’m very upset that my son is making these accusations against me,” Thomas Sr. told the outlet. “I could never do what I’m being accused of. It’s the worst thing anyone could accuse me of.”
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.
Days later, the Daily Mail alleged that one of their reporters found additional “vile” materials in Thomas Sr.’s abandoned storage unit in Mexico.
Reporters allegedly discovered books about pedophilia, magazines showing children being sexually abused and several loose photographs of “young” naked Asian females.
Meanwhile, the Sun reported that Thomas Sr. had been diagnosed with dementia and was staying in the care facility in Lakeland, Florida, which specializes in “dementia care” amid the investigation.
After the initial claims from her half-brother made headlines, Meghan said she’s “deeply disturbed” by the investigation into her father.
The Duchess of Sussex also noted that other “troubling and disturbing” allegations made against him in 2018 contributed to their estrangement.
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call the Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-330-0226.
