New Zealand mothers chilling theory as missing kids re-emerge after 3 years in wilderness with father

The mother of three children who vanished with their fugitive father three years ago fears her daughter may have issued a subtle cry for help when they were spotted in New Zealand bushland last week.Tom Phillips and his children — Jayda, 11, Maverick, 9, and Ember, 8 — have been missing since September 2021.After briefly returning home later that month, they disappeared again in December and have been living off the grid ever since.In a recent update, teenage pig hunters spotted the family walking on a remote coastal farm near Marokopa on October 3.All four were dressed in camouflage, carrying large backpacks, with Phillips walking ahead of the children.One of the hunters recalled a brief exchange with Jayda, which the mother has now interpreted as a plea.When the teens called out, Jayda responded with “Yeah … duh” and said that only the hunters knew they were there.“Is that a cry for help? Is that ‘Does anybody know that we’re here? Is anyone coming for us?‘” Cat told Mata Reports in an emotional interview.“It’s like she’s trying to say something without actually saying it because her father is right there.And she’s worried if she says the wrong thing and words it the wrong way, she’s worried about later repercussions.”This sighting marked the first time Cat had seen any footage of her children in nearly three years.She said she was relieved at seeing them alive but said she was extremely concerned about their condition after years of isolation.“It was really good, they’re carrying their own gear, it’s the best news that anybody could hope for,” she continued.“I can’t imagine what they’ve endured in these three years, it’s just wrong on so many levels.”Police descended on the area that night and two helicopters, including a military chopper equipped with night vision, were deployed.The sighting has been described by investigators as sparking “a positive line of inquiry”.“Patrols began in the area on Thursday ...