It has been four years since Cat last saw her three children, who vanished with their father, Tom Phillips, into the New Zealand bush. The children—Jayda, 12, Maverick, 10, and Ember, 9—were last spotted in October 2023 by teenage hunters.
Cat once said the sighting video felt like “Christmas had come early.” But she accused her ex-partner of using the children as “pawns in this game.”
Now, Tom’s family have broken their silence. His mother Julia wrote: “Everyday I hope today will be the day you come home. It hurts each time I see your photos.” His sister Rozzi added: “I miss you and want to be part of your lives again.”
Police believe Tom fled after losing a custody battle and may be hiding in Waikato. A reward of NZ$80,000 remains in place.
This case leaves one haunting question: should children ever be caught in the middle of adult conflicts?
