Thomas Markle Sr., Meghan’s father, arrested in Florida

Thomas Markle Sr., the estranged father of Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, was arrested in Florida in connection with allegations that he possessed child sex abuse materials, three sources familiar with the matter told CBS News on Friday.

The case remains under seal, one of the sources added.

Last month, it was reported that Thomas Markle was under investigation by authorities in the Philippines for alleged possession of child sexual abuse materials. Markle has denied the claims against him, calling them “sick lies.”

“I have never downloaded anything like that in my life,” he was quoted as telling the Daily Mail.

A spokesperson for the Philippine National Police told CBS News in a statement that they launched an investigation after Markle’s personal items were turned over to law enforcement by his son, Thomas Markle Jr.

After the reports of the investigation were made public, Meghan, who recently moved back to Britain with her husband Prince Harry and their children, said in a statement sent to CBS News that she had been aware of the allegations against him since 2018 and that the allegations were shared with U.K. authorities at the time.

She said it was based on that information that she and Harry decided to cut her father off from contact with their children.

This is a breaking news story. Check back for updates.