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Old 06-05-2007, 06:05 PM #1
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Default Continue To Pray For Madeleine

Updated: 17:47, Sunday May 06, 2007

The parents of missing toddler Madeleine McCann have again thanked everyone for their support as the search continues for their daughter.

Speaking after a church service in Portugal Kate McCann said: "We would like to express our sincere thanks to everyone, but in particular the local community here who have offered so much support.

"I couldn't ask for more - I just want to say thank you. Please continue to pray for Madeleine, she's lovely."

Choking back his tears her husband Gerry said: "From today's service the things we will take are strength, courage and hope and we continue to hope for the best possible outcome for us and for Maddy."

The couple have released photographs of the three-year-old on holiday in the Algarve before she went missing.

A colleague of Kate's has offered a £100,000 reward for Madeleine's safe return.

A special mass was also held at the family's home church in Leicestershire where Madeleine's brother and sister were christened.

Police have confirmed the youngster was abducted - but say they are hopeful she is still alive.

Detectives have a suspect in mind and have put together a sketch, but refuse to reveal any more details for fear of endangering her life.

Guilhermino Encarnacao, the director of judicial police in Faro, added that the police had received more than 30 calls with possible new lines of inquiry, all of which were being followed up.

She went missing from her bedroom in a holiday apartment in the town of Praia da Luz while her parents were eating in the hotel dining room 40 yards away.

Madeleine was last seen by her father sleeping soundly at around 9pm on Thursday at the resort in the south-western Algarve.

But at 10pm, when her mother went to check on her, she found the shutter slid up, the bedroom window open and her daughter gone.

The search area around the hotel has been widened and hundreds of locals and holidaymakers have joined police in the hunt for the toddler.

Source: Sky News


*************************************************

I have been following this story since Friday and it's heartbreaking. It was pointed out in another thread that there is no thread about it, so I've created this one. I will update it as news comes in.
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Old 06-05-2007, 06:56 PM #2
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Thanks for the thread.
It sounds like such a terrible story, I cant believe I hadnt heard details about it

I hope shes found safe and well!
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Old 06-05-2007, 09:35 PM #3
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I hope that little girl is found well soon.

it hurts my heart when i hear about these horror storys
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Old 07-05-2007, 04:52 AM #4
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God , I certainly do pray that this works out well in the end , what an adorable young girl. I don`t know what you guys think, but reading between the lines I have a strange feeling that this sounds like it could be a motherless woman possibly. I really hope so because the odds of her safety become so much higher.
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Old 07-05-2007, 08:55 AM #5
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^ It’s interesting you bring that up J.C. – that’s exactly what I told my parents. I assume you mean childless instead of motherless though! It was just the impression I got; I mean nothing was damaged in order to get to her – little Madeleine was basically exposed. Part of it I guess is to do with the fact that I’d like to believe that story – but I’m sure everyone wants their mind put at rest that she is safe. It’s just shocking to think though – where is she exactly, is she being looked after, what is she being fed, where is she sleeping? We can’t be sure of anything at the moment, and it’s exactly that that makes the incident all the more heartbreaking.
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Old 07-05-2007, 02:17 PM #6
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^ oops, yes I did mean childless. Must have been out a bit too late last night !!

There may well be some wishful thinking on my part too, but there is something about the softly softly approach by the police. Anyway we shall just have to keep our fingers crossed and hope.
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Old 07-05-2007, 02:43 PM #7
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Parents continue to pray for her safe return:

Kate McCann has made a direct and impassioned plea to the person holding her three-year-old daughter Madeleine begging them to let her go.Clutching a picture of her missing daughter and Madeleine's favourite soft toy, she said: "Please, please do not hurt her."

Speaking inside a temporary holiday apartment in the resort village of Praia da Luz, on the Algarve, she called for anyone holding her daughter - or who had been holding her - to put her in a "place of safety".
Speaking on behalf of herself and her husband, Gerry, who was sitting next to her, she said: "We would like to say a few words to the person who is with our Madeleine, or has been with Madeleine. "Madeleine is a beautiful, bright, funny and caring little girl. She is so special. Please, please, do not hurt her. "Please do not scare her, please let us know where to find Madeleine or put her in place of safety and tell somebody where. We beg you to let Madeleine come home. We need our Madeleine."

Speaking of their two-year-old twins, she continued: "Sean and Amelie need Madeleine and she needs us. Please give our little girl back."

Meanwhile, police investigating the disappearance are considering the possibility of a British abductor.

Broadcaster RTP interviewed Barra da Costa, a former inspector in the Judicial Police, PJ, who said that sources within the force believed that Madeleine's abductor could be from the UK. He said that contacts in the investigation team had told him that a working description detectives are using suggested someone of English appearance


Taken from Aol news online
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Old 07-05-2007, 04:36 PM #8
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I am shocked they would leave their children alone in the first place.
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Old 08-05-2007, 01:51 PM #9
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I share your horror Glitter at the thought of leaving my 3 year old with 2 year old twins while I dined in a restaurant in a foriegn country. I cant get my head round it. I bet her parents are feeling just terrible about it though and poor things will forever blame themselves if they dont get that little girl back alive.
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Old 08-05-2007, 02:09 PM #10
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I know it states they were "close by" but even still with the horrible people around in the world today I wouldn't think people would be so stupid to leave a child alone. Hopefully they get her back safe and sound and don't live to regret that stupid decision.
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Old 08-05-2007, 02:13 PM #11
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I know - I am sure they are justifying their actions in their own minds, but in a foreign country I dont let my daughter out of my sight and she is 13!
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Old 08-05-2007, 03:44 PM #12
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This will sound horrendous, but in light of the statistics about homicides, have the parents been questioned as suspects.

It would not have been the first time that some mysterious stranger was blamed for an "abduction" when the truth was much more horrific and closer to home.
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Old 08-05-2007, 03:53 PM #13
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I think a lot of us share the view that the children shouldn't have been left in the room alone. I saw an ariel photo of the location, and they were a fair bit away. I wouldn't have left my children there, especially not in a foreign country, but not even at home. I wouldn't go in to my neighbours house and leave my children sleeping in my house. My job is to protect them when they can't protect themselves, and I'm afraid that sleeping children, especially pre-school age can not protect themselves.

I was horrified when I first heard about it because I did think it was a very careless thing for the parents to have done. I have since learned that there is a creche/childminding facility at their resort and we all know they can certainly afford to pay for it, so really there was no excuse. However, it makes me wonder how many other parents do the same thing. Is it the "done thing" at these resorts? I've never been abroad, so I don't know. I'm sure it wont be the done thing now though.

I would assume the parents have been questioned and ruled out as suspects Sticks. They certainly would do in this country. I'm not sure how the Portuguese police operate though.

However, all that aside, I'm a parent, and I do feel extremely sorry for the McCann's and I can't imagine their pain right now. Regardless of blame, or negligence, the fact remains that this little girl is still missing, possibly dead or worse, and should be home with her family.

I have another article to post shortly.
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Old 08-05-2007, 03:58 PM #14
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Q&A: Madeleine McCann

When did Madeleine vanish?

Between 9.30pm and 10pm on Thursday. Her parents, Kate and Gerry McCann, were dining at a tapas bar in a Mark Warner resort around 100 metres from the apartment where Madeleine and her twin siblings were sleeping. The McCanns checked on the children at around half-hourly intervals. Mr McCann checked at 9.30pm, but when the couple returned at about 10pm, Madeleine had gone. A pool, hedge, wall and alleyway are between the bar and the apartment.


How could a kidnapper have got into the apartment?

There are three likely routes. The bedroom in which Madeleine was sleeping has a window with a plastic shutter and a door leading to a narrow car park and a quiet residential street. This side of the apartment cannot be seen from the tapas bar. At the back of the apartment, which can partially be seen from the bar, are French windows. These were the doors the parents were coming in through when they checked the children, and may have been left unlocked.


Were the doors or window forced?

Members of Madeleine's family said the shutter on the street window was forced, and police have fingerprinted it. However, the Mark Warner holiday company said there was no sign of a forced break-in. A kidnapper could have come through the street window and left via the street door. It is unlikely he or she would have entered or left via the French windows, because they face the tapas bar and the rest of the complex.


Do the police have any suspects?

At the weekend, they seemed to say they had a suspect in mind. However, it became clear earlier this week that this was not a named person but a man who witnesses had seen acting suspiciously. A sketch of the man has been made but not published - normal procedure for the police in Portugal - but it is not a clear image.


Why has so little information been published?

The Portuguese police claim their judicial system makes it impossible to release information for fear of prejudicing any future case. However, Madeleine's family are known to be frustrated at the way the investigation is being handled. It was their decision to make the direct appeal to any kidnapper and to release details of what Madeleine was wearing - the police had not done so.


Has the search been thorough?

Many people, including some family members, believe not. Criticism that the police did not even begin searching immediately, however, seems unfounded - officers and members of the public began a search as soon as Madeleine was reported missing.

However, there is scant evidence of an organised, exhaustive search. Neither border nor marine police were given descriptions of Madeleine for many hours after she vanished, and officers have not been seen making extensive door-to-door inquiries.


What about the police investigation?

Again, it appears unsatisfactory. The scene has not been secured as tightly as it would have been in the UK. Passers-by are allowed to go right up to the shutters of the window that Madeleine's parents say were forced. The lack of appeals for help and information has upset the family and surprised police experts.

There have been suggestions that the police are hiding behind the idea that they cannot release information because they might prejudice the case. Article 86 of the Portuguese processo penal says information must not be released, apart from in exceptional circumstances. Nevertheless, the lack of information has created a vaccuum that has been filled by speculation and theories ranging from the idea that a paedophile ring is behind the kidnapping to the claim that she may have been abducted to order.



Source: Guardian.co.uk
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Old 08-05-2007, 04:18 PM #15
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I was amazed that the parents had left the children alone, but right now, I feel for them, because it must be absolute hell.

I sincerely hope that Madeleine is returned safe and sound. Unfortunately, as time goes on, the chance of that happening grows less and less.
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Old 08-05-2007, 04:19 PM #16
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I know Ruth. I mean, you watch the TV Shows like Without a Trace, and I know they aren't real, but they are based on facts, and you get to thinking that the longer it goes on the less chance there is of finding her.

It must be very frustrating dealing with the police there as well, because their methods differ so much from our own.
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Old 08-05-2007, 04:27 PM #17
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I think the parents were too busy drinking and socialising to actually care about the child...checking every 30mins isn't good enough thats if they even did that I do wonder. Any good parent wouldn't leave their child or children alone in a strange room in a different country. I think in a way they are lucky all 3 of their children didn't go missing...as this person/people had the opportunity. Its strange because some stories say they did 30min checks and others say each hour. They claim this is the first time they have gone away abroad and they were careful picking a family friendly resort as if that somehow says its ok to leave children alone and unaccompanied is madness and stupidity.

Considering they had a child baby sitting area why the heck wasn't it put to use it doesn't make sense to me...if they specifically picked a resort which was child friendly. Plus they were part of a large group of people surely one adult would of stayed behind and took care of the kids and did shifts throughout the night. The whole thing just seems wrong and I feel for the child but also feel the parents could of prevented the whole thing if they actually put their children first instead of themselves.
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Old 08-05-2007, 04:34 PM #18
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you can say that but it wont bring maddie back. pray for her.
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Old 08-05-2007, 04:36 PM #19
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I completely agree with you G.E. And I know it sounds cold to be laying blame when they are going through this, but funnily enough the thing you mentioned about all 3 children being taken was something I also said on Friday.

I can only assume that the abductor was only one person and therefore couldn't physically steal 3 children without being noticed. If there had been more than one, then all 3 children would most likely have been taken.

Also, the abductor might have been watching the pattern of movements for days before. Who knows how long they actually left between checking the children. Maybe someone had been watching and knew the right moment to strike. Which then leads to the theory about the child being stolen "to order".

Another thing I was discussing today was the possiblity of her being stolen for a black-market adoption. They would want a child who they could pass off as their own. One with no distinguishing features. We have recently learned that Madeleine has a very distinctive eye. Would they still want her? And if not, then what?

Also, circulating is the horrific theory about a paedophile ring. That's too horrible to contemplate, but we have to be realistic. It's a possibility.

There was a woman on Sky News this morning who's son was abducted on holiday 16 years ago. He was about 18 months old. He was never found. It makes me wonder how you go on after that. Tragic.
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Old 08-05-2007, 04:50 PM #20
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This story is terrible..and the worse thing is that a lot of people are blaming her parents. I mean fair enough they shouldn't have left a 3 year old in a hotel room with their other Children. But it seems some people have no compassion, I mean her parents will be having an awful time with this, and they probably blame themselves already, without the public getting on thier backs.

I just hope she is found safe and well
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Old 08-05-2007, 04:56 PM #21
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I think the possibilites are endless and I just hope that they do actually find out what has happened rather than having to live with not knowing. With hotel staff and cleaners having keys to rooms aswell makes them very accessible to anyone who is suited and booted or with cleaning stuff so people can easily blend and look normal. I understand the parents are having a tough time who wouldn't be but there is still parts of the parents "story" that doesn't add up and things like checking in on them every 30mins/every hour suggests they were not really sure.

It wouldn't suprise me if a member of the "close group of friends" that travelled with them had something to do with it. With all the recent stories in the news you give the parents/family members that extra thought.

Its not that we don't feel for them we are more angry at them for being so stupid. We all wish Maddie a safe return but the fact remains that they left their children alone and with the sick people out there today that was a very stupid thing to do.
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Old 08-05-2007, 05:25 PM #22
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I do feel for them terribly - there but for the grace of god go my happy healthy children.

I do as a parent wonder though what went through their minds when they decided it was ok to just go out and leave their kids in their apartment. I have been taking my kids away since they were babies and have NEVER left them unattended. I take my kids with me and return at a reasonable hour so they can go to bed, I am happy to sit on my balcony and sip a drink reading while the kids sleep.

Half an hour checks, ok until they have had a couple and time runs away with you! poor poor child, children in custody are checked every 15 mins when they are not classed as high risk!! I just dont understand why they would leave them, they are going to regret their decision forever no matter what the outcome.
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Old 08-05-2007, 06:40 PM #23
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I agree Sunny. We have a family holiday in the UK every year, and over the years we have gradually been able to stay out a wee bit later, according to the age of our children. Last year we were able to stay out til amost 10pm before the kids got too tired (which was really late compared to the year before!), but we always go back to our accomodation together, and basically find something to do there whilst the kids sleep. It's nice to be able to stay out later, but that'll come over time as they get older and are able to stay awake for longer.

This is why I brought up the question of whether it was a "done thing" on holidays abroad. I know a lot of these resorts are geared round families, and I wasn't sure if it was something that many families tend to do. Maybe someone who visits these resorts will be able to answer that question.
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Old 08-05-2007, 07:12 PM #24
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well it certainly isnt something I have seen done before and I have been taking holidays abroad for years and years! In Turkey last year we had a couple with 2 small children in the room next door to us and one night the kids were flat out and we were talking on the balconies, their mum seemed keen to go out but was resigned to not going. We offered to sit with the kids but as they had only known us a week I understood their reluctance, in fact I admired it! We spent many an evening with them in the bar of the apartments with their youngest flat out on one of our knees or in her buggy asleep
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Old 08-05-2007, 08:28 PM #25
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You can actually get away with staying out later when they are "buggy-size" because you can take it with you and they can still sleep (despite the noise etc.). It's when they are that in-between stage I found we were going back to our accomodation earlier, cuz they were too big for the buggy but too small to last til late. Mine are 6 and 9 now though, so they have most certainly outgrown buggies. My daughter (9) sometimes whines cuz she could last a bit longer than my son, but it's one-out all-out I'm afraid.. so we all go back to the accomodation together.
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