Tom Phillips took his three children in 2021 and their mother Catherine hasn’t seen them since
A father who was spotted with his children in the wilderness after disappearing with them three years ago allegedly wrote a letter to the mother.
The case of the missing Marokopa children has been captivating the public since the mother spoke out for the first time.
Cat shared a fresh plea for the return of Ember, 8, Maverick, 9, and Jayda Phillips, 11, who have not been seen since their father, Tom, took them into the wild in 2021.
The mother spoke about a letter she claims was written by her former partner, in which he describes himself as a man with ‘a good heart’, and that he means well.
She shared on social media: “I have decided to share a letter written by Thomas to show that all is not as it seems.”
The letter explained, allegedly in Tom’s words: “I don’t know what to say or do to help you forgive me.”
The New Zealand fugitive father went on to express that he isn’t ‘desperate to be with someone or I would have already done it’, and that he wants to be with ‘Catherine, the woman I have been in love with for over seven years’.
Tom allegedly continued in the letter that he ‘can’t make you forgive me’ and that only Cat can ‘make that choice and I know you don’t have to’.
He explained: “I know if I ever give up trying to make things right I will regret it forever. I’m sorry for everything I have ever said or done to hurt you. These past nine months I have suffered everyday knowing I should have dealt with things better and knowing that I f***ed up.
“Hindsight is great right, or not because now I know there was a better way and I have to live with that for the rest of my life.
“You have a beautiful personality and the happiest years of my life are because of you. You have brought me so much joy and I don’t feel complete without you.”
The father then went on to express his hope that she can ‘remember the man you fell in love with and know that although I make multiple f*** ups I have a good heart and I mean well’.
He finished it with: “I know I used to make you happy, I know I can make you happy again if you let me. We get on so well most of the time and we are an awesome couple. We have an awesome family and that’s worth fighting for.”
Cat didn’t share when the letter was sent to her, but she recently shared a picture of the last birthday celebration she shared with her children, which was held for her eldest daughter Jayda who has just turned 11.
She explained that she is only speaking out about her heartache now, as she didn’t think past attempts could ‘help bring my babies home’.
In her social media post, she wrote: “However, the police are now offering a substantial reward and a chance of immunity so I have taken courage to break my silence in the hope that anyone with any information will come forward.
“I am well aware of the hateful rumours being spread around, I only ask that you know me before you judge me.”
In a statement, police explained that they have relieved 100 new tips since making a new effort to find the children, with forty of those tips being ‘worthy’ of further investigation.
Acting Detective Inspector, Andrew Saunders said: “We cannot provide details while the investigation is ongoing but we are committed to getting a result as soon as possible.”
Police also issued an $80,000 reward for information.
