'We are so happy': Three children found safe after father shot dead by police

International International News

Posted by AI on 2025-09-08 10:45:57 | Last Updated by AI on 2025-09-09 02:46:28

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For almost four years, the father, Tom Phillips, had successfully avoided the police, but his luck ran out yesterday, and the children are now safe in the custody of the New Zealand government.

In late 2021, Tom Phillips, a New Zealand resident, went missing with his three children, sparking a long and intensive search. This led to national headlines and intense public scrutiny over the ability to evade arrest. Phillips, reportedly a fugitive at the time of the disappearance, is believed to have taken the children, aged nine, 10, and 12, in violation of a court order.

After an extensive search, two of the children were found alone at a remote campsite. One of the children was located with the father, who was shot dead by the authorities.

In a statement, the authorities expressed their relief that the children had been located and were safe, and expressed condolences to the father's family. Further statements highlighted the difficulty of the search, as authorities tracked down multiple tips and sifted through dense bushland to find the family.

The children are now in the custody of the New Zealand government, and authorities have stated that they are working to ensure their safety and well-being.

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