Thomas Markle Sr. ordered detained after allegedly cutting off ankle monitor

Key Points:

• Thomas Markle Sr., estranged father of Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, had his release conditions revoked and was ordered detained after allegedly cutting off his ankle monitor while on home confinement following his arrest for possession of child sexual abuse material.
• Markle was initially placed under home detention and electronic monitoring after his Nov. 6 arrest in Florida, accused of possessing child sexual abuse material stored in Los Angeles-area storage units rented for nearly 20 years.
• Magistrate Judge Lindsey Griffin ordered a psychiatric evaluation to assess Markle's mental competence to stand trial, citing his advanced age, health condition, and lack of recall; the evaluation report is due by Nov. 20.
• If convicted, Markle faces up to 20 years in federal prison; he has denied the allegations, calling them "sick lies," and has been estranged from Meghan since her 2018 wedding to Prince Harry.
• The Philippine Department of Justice is also investigating related claims, and Meghan has not publicly commented on her father's arrest.