Ember, Jayda, and Maverick Phillips have been missing for a year and a $10,000 reward is offered for information about them. FILE PHOTO
THE family of missing children Jayda, Maverick and Ember Phillips is facing another Christmas without them. The trio, who have come to be known colloquially as the Marokopa kids, have been missing for a year with father Thomas Phillips. Last week a reward was announced. Partially through crowdfunding efforts, the family has posted a $10,000 reward for information leading to the safe return of Jayda, Maverick and Ember. About half of the reward was donated by the public and the rest raised by family and friends, the children’s eldest half-sister said. “We are hoping that this reward will entice those who know something, but would rather not get involved, to come forward with anything they may know.” The sister said it was difficult for her family to start the fundraiser through the website Givealittle. “We didn’t want to be viewed as the sort of family that stands there with their hands out, but it has been a ridiculously long time without our babies and we want to do as much as we can to get them home safely,” she said. The past 12 months have been turbulent for their family as they wondered where Jayda, Maverick and Ember were and feared for their safety. Police Waikato West area commander inspector Will Loughrin said Thomas was seen by his family on January 10 and returned to a family member’s home on February 9 in the middle of the night for supplies. He did not appear to have the children with him. Different appearances Thomas had a beard in February, Will Loughrin said, and the children were likely to look different now, too. “They will be taller; they will have either lost baby teeth or started to get their adult teeth and will likely be wearing their hair in different styles. “They could also be using different names.” Last month marked Maverick’s eighth birthday. His mother and two older sisters have set up a facebook page to advocate for the children’s return. On it they shared their wishes for Maverick on his birthday. “We hope that wherever you are, you have had an exciting, fun-filled day. We hope you are happy and healthy. “We hope you had a yummy strawberry cake with candles to blow out. We hope that Jayda and Ember gave you lots of hugs and kisses from us. “We hope to see you all soon. We love you.” In the same post the family said it would be a “Christmas blessing” to have the children back safe. As the nation began winding down towards a Christmas break last year the children’s maternal family began a frantic social media campaign to raise awareness that their loved ones were missing again. On December 18, a post started circulating on facebook announcing that Thomas Phillips had been missing with the kids for seven days. At the time, police told King Country News they were aware of the allegations but said there were no immediate concerns for their safety. Police say he was only officially reported missing on January 18 by his family. Warrant issued Six days prior, a warrant was issued for Thomas’ arrest when he failed to appear in Te Kūiti District Court on a charge of causing wasteful deployment of police personnel and resources, relating to the first time he ran away with the children. The first disappearance was in September of last year. Jayda, Maverick and Ember were missing with Thomas for 17 days, with a search operating for 12 of those. Thomas’ vehicle was found parked in the water at Kiritehere Beach by locals on September 12, sparking fears the group could be lost in the water. Upon their return, Will Loughrin said the children were happy and healthy, safe and well back with family (King Country News, October 5, 2021). It is believed they stayed in a tent in dense bush about 15km south of where Thomas’ car was found. The children’s mother and sisters have voiced their concerns about their welfare while in the bush. One sister said the children revealed their rice went mouldy in two-and-a-bit weeks and they lost weight. Now the children enter their second year as missing people. Anyone with information about where Thomas and the children may be should contact police via 105 and quote file number 211218/5611.
