### Fugitive Thomas Callam Phillips Spotted with Missing Children After Three Years

A recent sighting of a man in camouflage gear and a long beard has reignited the search for Thomas Callam Phillips and his three missing children, revealed New Zealand police. The man, whose features were concealed by a mask, was filmed with three children in tow, believed to be Phillips' children, Ember, Maverick, and Jayda, who disappeared into New Zealand's North Island wilderness amid a family dispute in December 2021.

The children, now aged 8, 9, and 11, have been missing for three years. Phillips was initially sought for failing to appear in court on charges of wasting police resources but now faces additional allegations, including a bank robbery in May 2023 executed with a female accomplice.

The latest sighting came from a teenager hunting on an 8,500-acre Marokopa property, who captured the group on video. The video has provided the first visual confirmation of the children's wellbeing since their disappearance. The teenager’s grandfather, John McOviney, recounted how his grandson, initially mistaking them for poachers, filmed the four masked figures carrying backpacks.

Lance Burdett, a former detective inspector with New Zealand Police, expressed surprise at the difficulty in locating the group given the recurring sightings within a specific area. Phillps' ability to remain hidden has raised concerns that he is receiving assistance from local supporters, as suggested by Max Baxter, mayor of the region covering Marokopa, a small rural community.

Phillips was previously known to have secluded himself in the wilderness with his children in September 2021, when they reappeared after an extensive three-week search involving helicopters and rescue teams. This time, however, the children’s mother, Cat, who has remained mostly out of the public eye, has actively appealed for help through emotional social media posts.

The emotional strain on Cat is evident as she pleads for the return of her children, emphasizing the medical needs of Ember, who suffers from asthma, and expressing her fears about how Maverick and Jayda are coping. Police have offered a reward of 80,000 New Zealand dollars for information leading to their discovery, generating reports of sightings but no conclusive leads.

The children's sister, Jubilee Dawson, also made a heartfelt appeal last year, sharing fond memories of Jayda, Maverick, and Ember and expressing her concern that they might feel forgotten or traumatized. She remains hopeful for their safe return, emphasizing the family's enduring love and longing for the children to come home.