An $80,000 reward for information leading to the location and safe return of three children taken by fugitive father Tom Phillips ends tonight.
Ember, Maverick and Jayda have been missing since December 12, 2021 after they were taken by their father, Tom Phillips, to a unknown location thought to be in Western Waikato within Marokopa or the surrounding areas.
Police offered a reward for information on June 11 and said officers had worked through over 150 new reports of information via phone, email or personal approach to staff since then.
"We haven't had that crucial piece of information leading us directly to where the children are, but we've got some good pieces of information that we can follow up on," Acting Detective Inspector Andrew Saunders told Breakfast.
He urged anyone who had credible, current information to "come forward now, and not to leave it any longer".
Acting Detective Inspector Andy Saunders said police had not yet received the "crucial" piece of information that led to finding the children. (Source: Breakfast)
"As a result of our inquiries we have identified over 50 reports that we think are worthy of consideration and which are being investigated further.
Saunders said he was "very encouraged" by the information that had come in during their appeal.
"The reward was always targeted at a small minority of people who may be assisting Tom, the public have really got behind this and we've got some good information from it."
"I cannot provide details while the investigation is ongoing, but we are committed to getting a result as soon as possible," he said.
Saunders said police have identified "several locations of interest" in Western Waikato that search efforts were focused around.
He said the police presence in Marokopa would be scaled-back but a dedicated investigation team would continue to assess information and conduct follow-up inquiries.
"I want to acknowledge the Marokopa community who have made our staff feel welcome in the area over the past fortnight," he said.
If you have credible, current information that could lead to the location and safe return of the children please contact police on 105 or online.
'Innocent children'
Police have urged people who have credible, current information to "come forward now". (Source: 1News)
Last week, Cat, the mother of the missing youngsters, issued a public plea for the return of her "innocent children".
"They are just innocent children. They do not deserve to be treated this way. They do not deserve the life that is being provided to them right now."
Through tears, she said Jayda was "a young woman now and she needs her mother", and said Ember was asthmatic and in need of medical care "that cannot be provided from the land".
"I can only imagine how Maverick is coping with the hand that life has dealt him."
Cat also called out critics who said the children were "fine and that they're being well looked after".
She blasted their father's actions, calling it "not OK".
"It is not OK to divide and conquer. It is not OK to isolate and control.
"It is child neglect. It is child endangerment. It is child abandonment. It is child abuse. None of this is OK.
"My babies deserve better."
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