Yes, if fact, Madeleine is the only child that I have ever heard of, outside of the US. It could be possible that the people that took her were vacationing...and were actually from the US.
Jay, This comes up when I click on Find Madeleine McCann. I sincerely hope she will be found. Invalid Friend ID. This user has either cancelled their membership, or their account has been deleted.
Thanks guys. I have updated the link. Things are moving very quickly on the homefront and so many people have pledged money towards a search campaign that the family have hired a couple of lawyers to set this up. The family remain optimistic and are taking huge comfort from the overwhelming support which they have received worldwide. Here is another little titbit of information. Madeline has a distinctive feature, One of her pupils runs into her iris. I made a picture of this:-
There is no end to these heartbreaking stories. Dear Lord, please help this family find their baby girl safe and sound.
I just received the following e-mail from a Scottish friend living in Surrey. U.K. Contains the same information Jayelles posted, but I have to feel I'm doing something, so I'll post the e-mail here. The photos have already been posted by Jay. This is heartbreaking. :-( Pass this email on to everyone in your address book and it could cover 80% of the worlds inboxes in 2 weeks. Madeleine's Eye Holds Vital Clue Updated: 18:00, Saturday May 12, 2007 Madeleine McCann's family believe a new picture of the missing four-year-old could play a vital role in the search for her. The photo of the youngster shows clearly the her distinctive right eye, where the pupil runs into the blue-green iris. The new poster of Madeleine It is this distinguishing mark that will identify Madeleine to those on the lookout for her, according to aunt and uncle John and Diane McCann. The Glasgow couple aim to distribute the appeal poster, which features the Crimestoppers telephone number, as far afield as they can. Family friend Andrew Renwick told Sky News that support for the search had been "overwhelming" and her family were extremely grateful. Her right eye Mrs McCann said: "The purpose of the poster is to highlight the distinction in Madeleine's eye. "We want to make the most of it, because we know her hair could potentially be cut or dyed." Mr McCann added: "The poster was designed by a friend of the family and I've begun Emailing it to acquaintances in different parts of the world. "I'm asking people to circulate it the best they can and make it be seen." Madeleine's Eye Holds Vital Clue
ANY updates on little Madeliene... Jayelles, I was just wondering if you have heard anything new on this case? Thanks, Ames
From Wikipedia: Of the parents There has been criticism of the parents in the Portuguese media. The Diário de NotÃcias insisted that Mr and Mrs McCann were suspects and claimed that on the night Madeleine disappeared they had not checked on her, contrary to what they told police.[61] The Daily Telegraph has reported "Portugal has been stung by suggestions that the investigation has been handled ineptly, and while there is much sympathy locally for the McCanns they have also been criticised for leaving their children alone."[62] The couple were questioned by police on 10 May about why Madeleine was left alone in an apartment with the patio doors unlocked while they dined at the restaurant.[14] There was a babysitting service together with a 'dining-out' creche service in the evenings for children aged four months to nine years - parents eating in the resort's restaurants drop the children off and pick them up later - but the McCanns did not use these facilities.[63
The McCann's Diary How we keep going: Madeleine's parents' Diary of Courage Last updated at 15:55pm on 20th May 2007 http://www.dailymail.co.uk/i Our day starts around 6.30am with us all waking up around the same time. We have breakfast with Sean and Amelie and close family/friends who are here. Then it's clean nappies and clothes for the twins followed by showers etc for the rest of us. Usually there's some free time then for a few stories or games with the twins before heading out. http://img.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/200...05_468x333.jpg Book at Bedtime: Gerry and Kate read to Sean and Amelie at about 7pm each day 9.00-9.15 We take Sean and Amelie to Kids' Club. They really enjoy it and run in. They know the staff well and the staff are all excellent. Both love the domestic corner and Amelie particularly likes to look after "babies". We use the Kids' Club a bit like nursery at home but we think Sean and Amelie still think they are on holiday! 9.30-12.15 We return to the apartments, usually for a series of meetings with our press officer, Mark Warner reps, occasionally Consulate staff, lawyers and British liaison officers. During this time we catch up with family and close friends, usually by telephone and discuss ideas about how to keep Madeleine's profile high, especially throughout continental Europe. Scroll down for more 12.30 Time to pick up Sean and Amelie from Kids' Club then head back to the apartment for lunch, which has usually been prepared by one of our family/friends group who have been tremendously supportive. 13.30-14.30 This is time to spend playing with the twins either in the apartment or in the play area next to Kids' Club. 14.30-15.00 Usually we take the twins back to Kids' Club although Sean has had the odd afternoon in the apartment as it's a bit cooler and he's not much of a sun worshipper! They have been taking part in many different activities including painting, singing, stories, swimming, trips to the beach and they have lots of toys to play with. http://img.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/200...MS_468x428.jpg Kate helps Amelie tuck into lunch 15.00-17.00 We try to get some time together alone, going for a walk to talk things over or getting some exercise. This is often the time for quiet trips to the church for prayers. 17.00-17.30 Meet kids for high tea with other mums and dads. They love pasta and have been doing really well with their vegetables although a few chips have been squeezed in. 17.30-18.30 Games with kids at play area. Amelie loves trying to get in the baby pool! 18.30-19.30 Bath and story time with the twins. 20.00 We put the kids to bed. 20.30-23.00 We try to sit down for a family meal, again usually cooked by one of the small group out here with us. Chat about the day's events and plan the next day. 23.30 Bed and prayer that Madeleine will be returned to us safely ASAP. In addition to above we try to attend various church services, and make multiple phone calls to family and friends. We try to watch the main news morning and night but have had almost no time to read the newspapers or even look at the pictures. Kate is a keen runner and in the last few days has tried to include a run in the daily routine. Yesterday at 7am we ran to the monument at the top of the steep cliff overlooking Praia da Luz. We reached it in 19 minutes.
Lurker, I can't believe this educated couple left their children unattended in this day and age, when they could afford a babysitter (?). Thanks for your information.
Fewer and fewer news shows here in the US are covering this story. Madeline has been missing for a long time. I'm continuing to pray for her safe return to her family.
How highly did the McCann's value their three children, for the sake of a night out, KK? In today's world, with all the talk of young children being abducted? Irresponsible! The other two children could have been taken too, if it was so easy for them to take young Madeleine.
Nancy Grace covered a story yesterday where an 18 year old babysitter put 2 toddlers down for a nap and took a nap herself, they apparently wandered out of the house and drowned in a pond 100 yards away. Someone was watching Maddie and knew exactly what their routine was, leave the kids alone and have dinner at the restaurant with friends. Even though it was closeby, apparently one exit was not visible from the restaurant. Why do they need lawyers? Some families of missing people have hired lawyers to act as a liason with law enforcement and also to make media appearances on their behalf. And maybe sue people. Holloway and Levy come to mind.
According to one European wag I heard on the news shortly after the disappearance, they don't harm their children in those countries like we do in America. That's why the parents weren't worried like we worry about our children here. Or so this prick said.... So I guess this is somehow our fault as well....
I vote we look at Thailand for the kid. There have been kids used as sex toys there for so long it is still big business despite its nouveau illegality.
Check this out. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/06/01/wmaddy101.xml The 15 key blunders By Richard Edwards Last Updated: 12:19am BST 01/06/2007 Four weeks after Madeleine went missing, the police investigation into her disappearance still appears to be suffering from the “basic errors†made in first few hours. 1 Police were at the scene quickly but officers played down suggestions that Madeleine had been abducted and believed she had just wandered off. The crime scene in and around the hotel was not taped off, ruining prospects of obtaining vital forensic evidence. 2 There was a lack of specialist fingertip searching in streets around the hotel meaning more opportunities to find forensic evidence were lost. A former senior British detective working for the media called the scene "the worst preserved" he had witnessed in his career. 3 Officers failed to make early house-to-house inquiries when potential witnesses were still likely to be in the resort. Only on the Saturday, more than 48 hours later, did they start searching some local apartments and a full list of guests was obtained on Sunday. Staff at Mark Warner's complex were only questioned 60 hours after Madeleine disappeared. 4 There are still people in the same apartment block as Mr and Mrs McCann who have never been questioned. Empty properties yards from where the child was taken have never been searched. 5 Police failed to inform Spanish border authorities of Madeleine's disappearance until the morning after she was taken - giving the abductor the chance to flee the country. Entire list at link.
Well, in all fairness, I have to say 30 years ago, I drove my car without seat belts on me or my small child, WHO STOOD IN THE MIDDLE OF THE BENCH SEAT NEXT TO ME. It took me about 25 years to quit putting my arm out to brace the right side passenger every time I braked when driving. Guess what? They didn't PUT seat belts in cars as old as mind was, and even in new cars wearing seat belts or putting children in them was NOT LAW. Most people who had them didn't use them, either. It took a LOT of education and a close call until I realized how important they are. I was lucky. So was my now grown child. My point: these parents obviously had no experience to fear something like this. It wasn't/isn't the daily fear of parents there, it seems. Like not locking doors UNTIL YOU ARE BURGLED, it takes something like this happening to make everyone aware that there are pervs out there. My son used to roam the neighborhood after school, on weekend days, in the summer, with other children who lived around us. They'd ride bikes, romp and have a good time. I'd check on him/them, approved in advance where they were going, went hunting them if they didn't come back when they were supposed to or were gone too long. I thought it was safe. It was. Nobody went missing or got injuried. Today, I think back...WHAT WAS I THINKING? I feel sorry for these parents. They made one mistake. It cost them everything.
So true KK. When I think back about lecturing my daughter and a little neighbor girl what to do if someone stopped to ask them directions, and then to have them run into the house one day when that exact thing happened. I told her grownups would never have a good reason to stop their car and ask little kids directions. I thank whatever lucky star it was that whispered in my ear to do that. Even before I was so aware of the terrible things that are in the news now I was going over "what ifs" with my daughter. Maybe it was because she always seemed to attract attention no matter where we went that I became hypervigilant about watching over her, I just don't know. That being said I think most parents do a "there but by the grace of God go I" when something like this happens. Predators are just that. Skilled at lurking and watching and waiting for the opportunity to strike. I get chills when I think about someone I thought was a nice person offering to baby-sit, but I got this inner chill and declined. One day I was getting out of the tub, heard a noise downstairs, and there he was, standing at the foot of the stairs. Later on he was charged with molesting some children in his neighborhood and he committed suicide. So you just never know who is ok except for you yourself. I guess it's a matter of realizing that there are no safe places, that you can never assume that just because it has never happened in your corner of the world that there is always a first time. It never bothered me that my daughter would think I was the biggest meanie in the world because I wouldn't let her go somewhere because I would think "that's ok, and you will be around tomorrow for us to make up". I have this island in mind that all these predators can be shipped to and just have at each other all day every day. Little
