Tom Phillips, a man from New Zealand, abducted his three children—Jada (now 11), Maverick (9), and Ember (8)—in December 2021 following a dispute with their mother.

Their conflict had a history. Three months earlier, in September, Phillips and the children vanished while his van was found abandoned. An immediate search was launched, but it yielded no results. Eventually, 19 days later, he appeared at his parents’ farm, claiming he had taken the kids camping. Authorities accused him of wasting police resources.

In December, he disappeared again with his children, just days before a scheduled court appearance, this time for good.

Authorities believed he was hiding somewhere in the western part of the North Island, in the Waikato region. They even offered a reward of NZD 80,000 (approximately €44,000) for information leading to his whereabouts.

He was finally sighted last week, on October 3, during the afternoon by young hunters pursuing pigs.

The youths reportedly asked one of the children who they were and if anyone knew they were there. The child’s response was “only you,” and they continued on their way while the youths recorded the children and their father with their phones.

The children’s father was armed and had a long beard, according to the BBC. The children wore masks, camouflage clothing, and carried their backpacks.

The police find the youths’ information credible and view it as positive news for the children’s family. They immediately began a search initially involving police units and military helicopters, but it did not yield any results.

Authorities believe that third parties are assisting Phillips in living in seclusion.

Last November, he allegedly stole a bicycle and vandalized a store. Security cameras captured him and one of his children on a street in the area.

A warrant is also pending against Phillips for his possible involvement in a robbery in a small town on the North Island. Furthermore, the police emphasize that the children have been staying away from school.

In her statements, the children’s mother expressed relief that they are alive. She also accused her partner of using the children as “pawns in his game.”