‘Bring my babies home’: Mum’s desperate plea

A mum of three children that disappeared after were taken by their father two years ago has begged to “get my babies home”.

A desperate mum has pleaded for her three children to be returned after they went missing with their father two and a half years ago.

“I’m begging you for your help to bring my babies home,” said the New Zealand mum, referred to only as Cat.

She released the video on social media with the assistance of New Zealand Police.

At times choking up, Cat said she had recorded the fresh appeal because it was her eldest daughter’s birthday.

Cat made the plea via the NZ Police. Picture: NZ Police.

“Today is Jayda’s birthday. She’s 11. She will be a young woman now and she needs her mother.”

Her two other children – Maverick, 9, and Ember, 8 – also vanished from her home in Marokopa, 240km south of Auckland – in December 2021.

The children’s father Thomas Phillips took the three and is now thought to have them in a rural location.

Last week, a reward of $74,000 was offered for information that could lead to the return of the three children to their mother.

“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,” Cat said.

The appeal come son the 11th birthday of Jayda. Picture: NZ Police.

“Many of you say that the children are fine, that they’ve been well looked after.

“How do you know, have you seen them? Or was it just bush talk?

“Ember is asthmatic, as am I. She needs medical care that cannot be provided from the land and I can only imagine how Maverick is coping with the hand life has dealt him.”

Maverick, 9, is last missing. Picture: NZ Police.

As is Ember, 8. Picture: NZ Police.

Acting Detective Inspector Andrew Saunders said police had received 100 new reports of information on the missing children since a fresh reward was offered.

“As a result of our inquiries we have identified 40 reports that we think are worthy of consideration and which are now being investigated further.

“We cannot provide details while the investigation is ongoing, but we are committed to getting a result as soon as possible,” he said of Operation Curly, the name for the search.

Much of work in finding the children has taken place around Marokopa but has been widened into surrounding areas.

“What Thomas is doing is not okay,” said Cat.

The children’s father Tom Phillips has taken the children. Picture: NZ Police. .

“It is not okay to isolate and control. It is child neglect. It is child endangerment. It is child abandonment. It is child abuse.

“My babies deserve better. I’m just a mother … begging you all to help me bring my babies home.”

Anyone with information on the three missing children should contact NZ Police’s Operation Curly on [e-mail].