Thomas Markle Sr., the father of the Duchess of Sussex, has reportedly moved into a care home specializing in dementia patients, according to a report by The Sun.
The 82-year-old has been staying in a Florida rehabilitation center since May, following the amputation of his lower left leg. He was transferred to the memory care facility on Friday.
This move comes as the FBI investigates allegations that Markle possessed child sex abuse images. His son, Thomas Markle Jr., informed police that he found a stash of such images among his father's belongings in the Philippines, where they had previously resided. Thomas Markle Sr. later returned to the U.S. after his amputation.
Spencer Kuvin, a Florida-based lawyer representing victims of Jeffrey Epstein, suggested that Markle's reported cognitive issues could hinder the FBI's investigation. "Any decent lawyer would be able to get that interview struck [off] and the FBI know that," Kuvin told The Sun.
Prosecutors in the Philippines have stated that Markle would face legal consequences if found guilty. Convictions for this crime can carry a sentence of up to 12 years in jail.
The FBI confirmed its investigation after child pornography was discovered in a storage unit Markle had rented in Rosarito, Mexico. Police seized child abuse images from the unit.
Markle himself has denied having storage units in Rosarito and has called the allegations "sick lies."
Separately, British police are reportedly seeking a royal bodyguard who allegedly advised Meghan not to publicize sexual abuse allegations made against her father. The officer reportedly gave Meghan a letter in 2019 from Markle's ex-wife, Roslyn Loveless, detailing accusations against him, but failed to escalate the matter. The Independent Office for Police Conduct is investigating why police chiefs were not informed about the letter and the force's subsequent failure to notify international law enforcement agencies. Meghan and Prince Harry's private secretary and communications secretary were reportedly unaware of the letter, raising concerns that further alleged offenses may have gone undetected until Thomas Markle Jr.'s alleged discovery.