Thomas Markle placed under house arrest after child abuse material charge

The investigation followed a reported discovery at Thomas Markle's former home in the Philippines. His son, Thomas Markle Jr., reportedly found boxes containing hundreds or potentially thousands of child sexual abuse images, according to Euronews.

Markle subsequently moved to Florida after years in the Philippines, ABC News reported. The allegations concern Meghan Markle's estranged father, who has denied them, according to NYT World News.

On November 6, federal agents arrested Markle in Florida on charges connected to possession of child sexual abuse material, the Guardian reported, citing the FBI.

The US investigation included searches of two storage units, according to Express & Star. Al Jazeera reported that authorities found sexually explicit photographs that appeared to show Markle with prepubescent girls. Those descriptions are allegations, not findings by a court.

Markle appeared in federal court on November 6 and was released on bond hours after his arrest, according to TMZ. The BBC reported that he was placed under house detention at his assisted living facility in Florida.

By November 7, NBC News reported that federal prosecutors had charged the 82-year-old with one count of possession of child sexual abuse material. The outlet said it had contacted his defense attorney but had not received a response.

Also on November 7, the Daily Mail reported that authorities in the Philippines could bring a possession charge as soon as Monday, November 9. That report described a possible next step, not a charge already filed.

Markle remains under house arrest at his Florida assisted living facility. TMZ reported on November 7 that security guards were monitoring his home there.

He has denied the accusations, according to NYT World News. The supplied coverage reports a possession charge, not a conviction. Meghan said she was "deeply distressed" by allegations that images had been found at her estranged father's former home, Global News reported.

The clearest pending question is whether Philippine authorities file their own charge. The Daily Mail reported that this could happen on November 9, but the supplied coverage does not confirm a filing.

The US case also awaits further court proceedings and a fuller defense response. NBC News reported that Markle's attorney had not responded to its request for comment.