Madeleine McCann Discussion

[Jayelles]

There is some more information in today's news. Her grandmother told the BBC that people should look out for a distinctive "flash" which Madeline has in her eye where her pupil runs into her iris.

I have done a little graphic for this (hope it works):-

http://people.delphiforums.com/jayelles/madeline%20eye%20flash.jpg

If it doesn't work, the image can be seen by clicking on the link below:-

http://people.delphiforums.com/jayelles/madeline%20eye%20flash.jpg

[Miguel]

Hello. I'm from Portugal and I am following this case in the news everyday since Madeleine was abducted on May 3.
I have to disagree with some british media saying portuguese police is under-resourced and under-experienced. Our police is good in cases like this. In Sept 2004 a little girl disapeared in Algarve and the police solved the case. Unfortunately, the girl was killed by her mother who is now in jail for the next 20 years.

With Madeleine they are doing an impossible job. Within hours they had hundreds of agents on location, helicopters, they even closed border to Portugal/Spain in Algarve. The navy is in the water since day one, and they still there. If Madeleine is in Portugal they will find her.
One or two days after the crime someone spoted a man with a little blonde girl and called the police and 5 minutes later police was there (they were father and daughter on vacations). The only diference from UK is that some issues cannot be discussed in public. They hold information that is important to the investigation. They only release information that can help. I don't think that is unusual. The first days, police didn't tell all they know to the parents because they were suspects.
The media coverage is unbelievable. Rarely seen anything like this in Portugal. We only have 3 nacional TV Stations and, no matter what time, at least one of them is broadcasting live from Algarve. In the last 10 days, if you are in Portugal and turn on the TV you will see something about Madeleine.
There's a big reward for the safe return of Madeleine. Writer JK Rowling of "Harry Poter" is offering a substancial reward. All rewards together from celebraties and friends of the family sum up to 4 million euro. Soccer superstars Cristiano Ronald and David Beckam made apeals. Madeleine's uncle, John McCann, is trying to put photos on giant screens in Glasgow stadium during the Uefa cup final next wednesday.


The last news, police now know the motive of the crime and believe can rescue Madeleine at any moment. Don't know if dead or alive. The prime suspect is someone from UK in vacations in the same resort (problably friends of Madeleine's parents) or an employee of the resort.


PS: My english is not perfect. Sorry about that.

[Jayelles]

Hello. I'm from Portugal and I am following this case in the news everyday since Madeleine was abducted on May 3.
I have to disagree with some british media saying portuguese police is under-resourced and under-experienced. Our police is good in cases like this. In Sept 2004 a little girl disapeared in Algarve and the police solved the case. Unfortunately, the girl was killed by her mother who is now in jail for the next 20 years.

With Madeleine they are doing an impossible job. Within hours they had hundreds of agents on location, helicopters, they even closed border to Portugal/Spain in Algarve. The navy is in the water since day one, and they still there. If Madeleine is in Portugal they will find her.
One or two days after the crime someone spoted a man with a little blonde girl and called the police and 5 minutes later police was there (they were father and daughter on vacations). The only diference from UK is that some issues cannot be discussed in public. They hold information that is important to the investigation. They only release information that can help. I don't think that is unusual. The first days, police didn't tell all they know to the parents because they were suspects.
The media coverage is unbelievable. Rarely seen anything like this in Portugal. We only have 3 nacional TV Stations and, no matter what time, at least one of them is broadcasting live from Algarve. In the last 10 days, if you are in Portugal and turn on the TV you will see something about Madeleine.
There's a big reward for the safe return of Madeleine. Writer JK Rowling of "Harry Poter" is offering a substancial reward. All rewards together from celebraties and friends of the family sum up to 4 million euro. Soccer superstars Cristiano Ronald and David Beckam made apeals. Madeleine's uncle, John McCann, is trying to put photos on giant screens in Glasgow stadium during the Uefa cup final next wednesday.


The last news, police now know the motive of the crime and believe can rescue Madeleine at any moment. Don't know if dead or alive. The prime suspect is someone from UK in vacations in the same resort (problably friends of Madeleine's parents) or an employee of the resort.


PS: My english is not perfect. Sorry about that.


Miguel, your english is great, thanks for posting. On the whole, the media coverage here has been pretty sympathetic towards the Portugese police and when they say they are under-resourced and inexperienced - it's not a criticism and they explain that the reason for this is because you do not have the high crime rates that other countries have and that is one of the reasons why so many people keep returning to your country for their vacations. I have friends who will only go to Portugal on holiday because it's their favourite holiday destination.

We also understand that you have secrecy laws which prevent the police from disclosing details of the case. We have similar laws here which take effect when a person is charged with a crime. The law is called pro judice and it is to protect the integrity of the trial. As soon as someone is charged with a crime, the media cannot report on that crime until the trial.

We are all very hopeful that whomever has taken Madeline will look after her and decide to return her safely to her parents.

[Miguel]

Jayelles, I didn´t know that. Our media is saying that your media is criticizing the portuguese police. We have some poor media here, I have to admit. Always looking for scandals.
I think is great the two polices are working together, helping each other.
There were some critics to the parents because they left the childrens alone but I think is ridiculous. As someone said is a question of culture, they were on vacations in safe complex in a litle town with almost no crime.


Some details, as I read the news here in Portugal:

The resort had a 24 hour baby sitting service that the parents turned down. Later they told the police they thought there were security cameras all over the resort.
They left the 3 children sleeping in the house and had dinner in a restaurant inside the resort 50 meters away. They could see the back of the house but they could not see any windows or any doors. They checked the kids every 15 minutes or so.
The police took more than 2 hours to get there because the McCanns contacted the British council, instead of going directly to the police. The British Council contacted the UK police and the UK police contacted the portuguese police.
This is a low crime area, however during the summer when Algarve is full of tourists there are some robberys always during dinner time when the thieves know the tourists are at the restaurants and sometimes don't even lock the doors.

I hope Madeleine is safe and will return home soon.

[Jayelles]

Jayelles, I didn´t know that. Our media is saying that your media is criticizing the portuguese police. We have some poor media here, I have to admit. Always looking for scandals.
I think is great the two polices are working together, helping each other.
There were some critics to the parents because they left the childrens alone but I think is ridiculous. As someone said is a question of culture, they were on vacations in safe complex in a litle town with almost no crime.


Some details, as I read the news here in Portugal:

The resort had a 24 hour baby sitting service that the parents turned down. Later they told the police they thought there were security cameras all over the resort.
They left the 3 children sleeping in the house and had dinner in a restaurant inside the resort 50 meters away. They could see the back of the house but they could not see any windows or any doors. They checked the kids every 15 minutes or so.
The police took more than 2 hours to get there because the McCanns contacted the British council, instead of going directly to the police. The British Council contacted the UK police and the UK police contacted the portuguese police.
This is a low crime area, however during the summer when Algarve is full of tourists there are some robberys always during dinner time when the thieves know the tourists are at the restaurants and sometimes don't even lock the doors.

I hope Madeleine is safe and will return home soon.


You were absolutely right about the British woman. The news has been reported here. Police are interviewing more than one person and they have cordoned off a villa about 150 yards from the apartment where Madeline was staying. The villa is owned by a British woman, but it sounds as though it's her son who is being questioned.

One new report said that the son was staying with his mother, but that he is developing his own house. If this is true, I hope they search it too.

Miguel - the Portugese police were described on the BBC as being "Courteous, efficient and professional".

Incidentally, the man who appears to be getting questioned was reported by a British tabloid journalist. She reported her suspicions of him to the Portugese police, and the British police.

We'll see how this pans out. The police are at pains to point out that no-one has been arrested - yet.

[Miguel]

You were absolutely right about the British woman. The news has been reported here. Police are interviewing more than one person and they have cordoned off a villa about 150 yards from the apartment where Madeline was staying. The villa is owned by a British woman, but it sounds as though it's her son who is being questioned.

One new report said that the son was staying with his mother, but that he is developing his own house. If this is true, I hope they search it too.

Miguel - the Portugese police were described on the BBC as being "Courteous, efficient and professional".

Incidentally, the man who appears to be getting questioned was reported by a British tabloid journalist. She reported her suspicions of him to the Portugese police, and the British police.

We'll see how this pans out. The police are at pains to point out that no-one has been arrested - yet.


The police interviewed 3 people. One British man 50 years old, his mother 79 years old and a friend portuguese man. They left police station at 2am. No-one was arrested. As you said, the british man lives with his mother only 100 meters from where Madeleine disapeared. The man tried to infiltrate in the investigation since the begining. He was always near and asking the reporters how things were going. He even offered help to the police so that he would translate conversations between the police and british witnesses.
One jornalist from the Sunday Mirror reported his behavior to both polices.
The mother had some kind of stand on the street for colecting informations about Madeleine. She said it was for people who would not be confortable talking to the police they could go there and talk to her.

[Miguel]

Acording to the last news.
Robert Murat, the british man who was interviewed yesterday is now a defendant.
He is 32 and not 50 years old as I a said in the previous post.

[Jayelles]

Acording to the last news.
Robert Murat, the british man who was interviewed yesterday is now a defendant.
He is 32 and not 50 years old as I a said in the previous post.

The correct translation for arguido is "suspect". A defendent is someone who is on trial :-)

Marat is now an official suspect. However, the BBC have explained that he may actually have requested to be made a suspect himself as this gives him more rights than he would have as a mere witness.

[Miguel]

The correct translation for arguido is "suspect". A defendent is someone who is on trial :-)

Marat is now an official suspect. However, the BBC have explained that he may actually have requested to be made a suspect himself as this gives him more rights than he would have as a mere witness.

Sorry. Didn't mean to give false information.
I searched for the correct word in an on-line dictionary.
You are right. "Arguido" is an official suspect.

The sum off all rewards is now 6 millions euros. I hope this will not make lots of people calling the police reporting things that are not true.

[dallasvic]

This child is so precious. I am Hoping and Praying that who ever took this child is someone who can not have kids of their own and has choose her to be their child this way we would know that she would be in GOOD HANDS til she is found.people like that are less likely to harm the child even though she would need professional help once she is returned she would not be physically harmed.

:rose: MY HEARTS AND PRAYERS GO OUT TO THE FAMILY:rose:

[teramiabullfrog]

on behalf of all of us involved with the charity "finding our children under stress" (f.o.c.u.s.) organization (a charity created and developed by families of the missing) we extend our hope and prayers your child is located and returned to you quickly.

there's so much to learn and improve. the international missing and exploited children agency should improve global law enforcement procedure in emergency abduction policy. all transportation should have had heigthened security watch. families need to be aware resort vacation destinations are no time to let down your everyday safety guidelines.

she could be anywhere by now. most attention should be in the area where the abduction occurred; however, flyer distribution of her endangered missing child photo-notice should be distributed and posted in all law enforcement agencies, all post offices, and given to other agencies and private charities who specialize in missing person notice posting and distribution, globally. if someone will provide us with a web address to print a copy of her missing child flyer and we will include her with our display binder (left in over 2,000 post offices in eight western united states). i will also see if she's currently displayed in the ncmec web.

[teramiabullfrog]

apparently madeleine's family is from portugaul; therefore, ncmec wouldn't have a missing child notice of her. i did inadvertantly find the crimelibrary missing children site and found the full story about madeleine there (excellent missing children site, i'll visit it more often and make copies of the missing featured here). i will make copies of madeleine immediately and include her in our display programs.

[sharlock]

Sorry. Didn't mean to give false information.
I searched for the correct word in an on-line dictionary.
You are right. "Arguido" is an official suspect.

The sum off all rewards is now 6 millions euros. I hope this will not make lots of people calling the police reporting things that are not true.
Hi Miguel,
In my opinion there will be a flood of calls as is usual in any case with a large reward. Lets hope that these will at least be genuine calls.
I wish I could understand how adults could be so callous as to be part of a paedophilia ring (especially the women); this is a parents worst fears realised!
Sharlock

[Mishell1383]

You know - these websites COULD be used to benefit the Madeleine's Fund.

Instead of the owners keeping the money from the advertising, they could donate it to the Madeleine Fund and post a link to the Official website.

The advertisers still get a hit
The Fund gets paid for wrong hits
The Fund gets free advertising

I wonder if any of these website owners would have the backbone to do this?
you def have a point! Maybe they will donate? That would be wonderful.

[Jayelles]

The British police have set up a website and appealed to anyone who was at the same resort in Portugal as the McCann's have been staying to upload their holiday photos at this website. I don't think the photos will be getting displayed on the website - just sent via the website to the police. They aren't interested in scenic shots - just photos with strangers in the background. They are going to compare the photos with know paedophiles.

Jessops (High Street Photography store) will scan photos free of charge for anyone who doesn't have their photos in electronic format.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6677803.stm

[MaggieMay]

I was thinking of approaching my kids school to ask if they could have a non uniform day where the children will donate maybe £1 for not wearing their uniform and the money could be sent into the Madeleine fund.

[sharlock]

I was thinking of approaching my kids school to ask if they could have a non uniform day where the children will donate maybe £1 for not wearing their uniform and the money could be sent into the Madeleine fund.
You guys are all so fantastic! I want to cry reading this thread; the worst things so often bring out the best in people and I can see that all of you guys are among the best! This little girl has to be found quick any case with this much attention puts the paedophiles in danger and I am terrified that they will decide to get rid of the risk! I pray to God she will get home safe and sound!:rose:

[Jayelles]

I was thinking of approaching my kids school to ask if they could have a non uniform day where the children will donate maybe £1 for not wearing their uniform and the money could be sent into the Madeleine fund.

Good idea! Schools are often more than happy to oblige in this way. Plus it's a good way for people on tight budgets to give a small amount and feel as though they are contributing.

[Reborn17]

Good idea! Schools are often more than happy to oblige in this way. Plus it's a good way for people on tight budgets to give a small amount and feel as though they are contributing.

To have a day like that at schools would be a very good idea to help raise money to help find Madeleine i'm sure most parents wouls contribute to such a worthwhile cause.:cool:

[Mishell1383]

To have a day like that at schools would be a very good idea to help raise money to help find Madeleine i'm sure most parents wouls contribute to such a worthwhile cause.:cool:
I totally 100% agree !

[Reborn17]

I totally 100% agree !

There are a lot of schools out there and if they did this once a month they could build up a central fund to help lots of people in the same position as Madeleine's parents.:beer:

[elvislives]

I have a colleague in the UK and he told me that at his daughter's school (a Catholic School) the kids are foregoing lunch on Friday's and their lunch money is being donated to the Madeleine fund. The students are also wearing the yellow ribbons and buttons or t-shirts with her picture on it. I think this makes the kids feel like they are helping plus creates more awareness of her disappearance.

If this little girl is still alive, I am sure she is in continental Europe or north Africa so it is imperative that her image stays public. I keep hoping to hear some positive news on this case. My heart goes out to the family.

[dallasvic]

I have a colleague in the UK and he told me that at his daughter's school (a Catholic School) the kids are foregoing lunch on Friday's and their lunch money is being donated to the Madeleine fund. The students are also wearing the yellow ribbons and buttons or t-shirts with her picture on it. I think this makes the kids feel like they are helping plus creates more awareness of her disappearance.

If this little girl is still alive, I am sure she is in continental Europe or north Africa so it is imperative that her image stays public. I keep hoping to hear some positive news on this case. My heart goes out to the family.

Hi Everyone ,

Sorry i have not been here today. Had to sleep and feel better.
Yall have some great ideas going on here . These thing would help keep her pic. out they so it does not slide through the wood work like alot of thing do . People need to be reminded.
HERE to yall:beer:
:rose: My Heart & Prayers Are With Madeleine & Family:rose:

[Livia]

These are all fantastic ideas! Just when something like this makes you start despising the human race, you regain your faith in people by seeing everyone working so hard to try to find this little girl. :beer:

My heart goes out to those poor parents, who must be experiencing their own private hell right now.

I pray that little Maddie is soon reunited, safe and well, with her family. :rose:

[teramiabullfrog]

california is a long way from where Madeleine McCann disappeared; however, volunteers of the Finding Our Children Under Stress (F.O.C.U.S.) Organization printed copies of her flyer, laminated two of them and taped them on the outside windows of our missing child mobile awareness center van, as well as included copies of her flyer in our 3-ring missing child display binder and left them for display in post offices along California's west coast. anyone can help, print a flyer of her from her web page, take it to your local post office and ask the post master or station master to post and display her flyer in the post office lobby, in accordance with the Presidential Memorandum, signed by then President William Clinton on 1/19/96, every building owned or controlled by the federal government is required to maintain a display area for the general public to view missing person notices. nobody knows where this little girl is so as many places her flyer is posted the better. every time we stopped at a post office or store, people crowded around our van to view the laminated flyers (other flyers on the van include the current active amber alert cases as well as the flyers for two missing who's family post here on crimelibrary forum, and several other missing who's family we've been helping distribute and post flyers for, for years). the U.S. has some wonderful federal laws and federal programs to both help find short and long term missing persons as well as to help teach child abduction prevention; unfortunately, most of the laws and programs are not managed at the level of efficiency they were originally intended, instructed, and are annually federal funded; therefore, they are not accomplishing what they were designed to accomplish. We realize Madeleine McCann is not from the U.S.; however, missing children/persons is a global problem and every source of service offered and available to help find a missing person needs to be tapped, she could be anywhere, and everyone, everywhere, should get involved and help bring this child back home to her loved ones. another of those think globally and act locally situations.

[sharlock]

california is a long way from where Madeleine McCann disappeared; however, volunteers of the Finding Our Children Under Stress (F.O.C.U.S.) Organization printed copies of her flyer, laminated two of them and taped them on the outside windows of our missing child mobile awareness center van, as well as included copies of her flyer in our 3-ring missing child display binder and left them for display in post offices along California's west coast. anyone can help, print a flyer of her from her web page, take it to your local post office and ask the post master or station master to post and display her flyer in the post office lobby, in accordance with the Presidential Memorandum, signed by then President William Clinton on 1/19/96, every building owned or controlled by the federal government is required to maintain a display area for the general public to view missing person notices. nobody knows where this little girl is so as many places her flyer is posted the better. every time we stopped at a post office or store, people crowded around our van to view the laminated flyers (other flyers on the van include the current active amber alert cases as well as the flyers for two missing who's family post here on crimelibrary forum, and several other missing who's family we've been helping distribute and post flyers for, for years). the U.S. has some wonderful federal laws and federal programs to both help find short and long term missing persons as well as to help teach child abduction prevention; unfortunately, most of the laws and programs are not managed at the level of efficiency they were originally intended, instructed, and are annually federal funded; therefore, they are not accomplishing what they were designed to accomplish. We realize Madeleine McCann is not from the U.S.; however, missing children/persons is a global problem and every source of service offered and available to help find a missing person needs to be tapped, she could be anywhere, and everyone, everywhere, should get involved and help bring this child back home to her loved ones. another of those think globally and act locally situations.
Hi termiabullfrog,
I have started a thread on CL called "You can help us save our kids. Some ideas on what you can do and advice from posters!". When I read your post I just had to paste it to this thread because I was not aware of some points you made and thought your post was fantastic. I hope you do not mind that I have done this but if you do I will ask FW to remove my post.
Thanks:beer:

[Jayelles]

Thank goodness for people like you guys who offer prayers instead of criticism. I've seen some really vile things posted about this family and can only take comfort from the fact that Kate's Mum says no-one can hurt them more than they are already hurting nor blame them more than they blame themselves.


"Never look down on anybody unless you're helping them up. " - The Reverend Jesse Jackson

[elvislives]

Thank goodness for people like you guys who offer prayers instead of criticism. I've seen some really vile things posted about this family and can only take comfort from the fact that Kate's Mum says no-one can hurt them more than they are already hurting nor blame them more than they blame themselves.


"Never look down on anybody unless you're helping them up. " - The Reverend Jesse Jackson

I couldn't agree more, J. It is very disenchanting that anyone would want to attack this family while they are in such despair. About a week ago someone emailed me a clip of Nancy Grace where she was excoriating these parents for their "negligence" (with a look of utter disgust on her face) and calling for thier arrest!! I lost all respect for Nancy Grace after seeing that. To be insensitive and cruel to the victims of a horrible crime is beyond my comprehension.:mad:

No doubt if the parents had hired an unknown babysitter to watch their children and the sitter harmed the children in some way, people would be critisizing their negligence for leaving their children with a stranger.

I am glad to see that most people on this board understand that the McCanns are the victims of one of the most horrific crimes imaginable and are decent enough to not cruelly add to their suffering.

[elvislives]

I forgot to mention that I was in LAX (Los Angeles International Airport) the other day and saw posters of Madeleine in the international terminal (by Customs). The campaign to make her disappearance public has been very successful on an international scale. I just HOPE HOPE HOPE someone finds her soon. :(

[Mishell1383]

There's always some heartless so-and-so who tries to profit from a tragedy:-

http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,91210-1269093,00.html

Fortunately this one got caught.
It has always boggled my mind, the people that do this. How can someone sleep at night, how can someone be so heartless, how can someone be so... so.... SHALLOW AND COLD!? I do not understand this, I doubt anyone else does too. Thanks for sharing that link Jay, I'm glad she got caught. :cuss:

[Jayelles]

I couldn't agree more, J. It is very disenchanting that anyone would want to attack this family while they are in such despair. About a week ago someone emailed me a clip of Nancy Grace where she was excoriating these parents for their "negligence" (with a look of utter disgust on her face) and calling for thier arrest!! I lost all respect for Nancy Grace after seeing that. To be insensitive and cruel to the victims of a horrible crime is beyond my comprehension.:mad:

No doubt if the parents had hired an unknown babysitter to watch their children and the sitter harmed the children in some way, people would be critisizing their negligence for leaving their children with a stranger.

I am glad to see that most people on this board understand that the McCanns are the victims of one of the most horrific crimes imaginable and are decent enough to not cruelly add to their suffering.

I've stopped reading the threads where the parents are being attacked. I think it would be a rare parent who hadn't had a "Phew" moment with their children. Also, there is a lot of misinformation being posted.

As you say - supposing they'd hired a babysitter (who would have been a local stranger) and something had happened? Many parents make use of baby listening services which are usually offered in these hotels but the service only listens at the door - the McCann's and their friends chose to check the children themselves by going in and actually physically checking them. What they did was MORE than the standard listening service provided.

I've seen some terrible things posted about these parents by people who know nothing about them and it makes me so sad.

On a brighter note, I saw this post yesterday:-

http://www.webbsleuths.org/dcforum/DCForumID38/209.html#26

It's an excellent post.

[Jayelles]

The McCann's cannot bring themselves to leave Portugal and are to stay there for the time being. They feel that this is where Madeline is and don't want to leave her:-

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/tees/6736625.stm

[dallasvic]

The McCann's cannot bring themselves to leave Portugal and are to stay there for the time being. They feel that this is where Madeline is and don't want to leave her:-

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/tees/6736625.stm

I do not think I could leave either. That is were she was last seen and you hope that she shows up near there and I would want to be there also if it were me.

I am headed to light a few candles for Maddy. If you have'nt yet Pleasee do : keep that light shinning for her:)

[imanewsjunkie]

I can't believe there is still no new or leads :-(

[Jayelles]

The parents are obviously running out of steam. They were interviewed today and seemed more broken than I've seen them. I guess the have been kept going over recent weeks with the purpose of raising awareness. Now that they've done their awareness "tour" they have more time to reflect on the fact that there's been no progress. They must also be devastated after the false hope of the phone call whilst they were in germany. This was a phone call from someone who said he knows where Madeline is and wanted to speak directly to the parents. They McCanns cancelled a couple of tv appearances to be ready for the caller to call back, but nothing came of it. The police felt it wasn't a hoax.

It's so terribly sad. I cannot imagine how awful it must be to just "not know".

[Mishell1383]

The parents are obviously running out of steam. They were interviewed today and seemed more broken than I've seen them. I guess the have been kept going over recent weeks with the purpose of raising awareness. Now that they've done their awareness "tour" they have more time to reflect on the fact that there's been no progress. They must also be devastated after the false hope of the phone call whilst they were in germany. This was a phone call from someone who said he knows where Madeline is and wanted to speak directly to the parents. They McCanns cancelled a couple of tv appearances to be ready for the caller to call back, but nothing came of it. The police felt it wasn't a hoax.

It's so terribly sad. I cannot imagine how awful it must be to just "not know".
wait!!? They felt it WASN'T a hoax!?

[Jayelles]

wait!!? They felt it WASN'T a hoax!?

That's right - they felt it wasn't a hoax. I think that has really knocked the McCann's for six. I got the impression that they may have thought there was going to be a ransom demand or something - which was why the McCanns were asked to be on "stand-by" and they ended up missing a couple of tv appearances as a result. However, the caller didn't phone back.

ETA - here is a news article about it:-

http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/display.var.1453891.0.maddies_parents_on_alert_ove r_mystery_call.php

[dallasvic]

That's right - they felt it wasn't a hoax. I think that has really knocked the McCann's for six. I got the impression that they may have thought there was going to be a ransom demand or something - which was why the McCanns were asked to be on "stand-by" and they ended up missing a couple of tv appearances as a result. However, the caller didn't phone back.

ETA - here is a news article about it:-

http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/display.var.1453891.0.maddies_parents_on_alert_ove r_mystery_call.php
Hi Jay & Everyone,

I was wondering did they say how long after she was abducted that the phone call came? I did not see it in that article or I over looked it.:shrug: I have seen to many cases like this one were they ask for ransom and when they did not call back something went very wrong an the victim was no longer alive. I am hoping and praying that is not the case here.

[dallasvic]

Hi D,

I got the impression the call happened in just the last day or so. I pray that whoever made that call does know where that precious baby is and finds the courage to call again. The McCanns need their daughter and little Maddy needs her parents. This case is just making me heart sick. I cannot imagine the pain and fear that the entire McCann family must be experiencing. Dear God, please give the person(s) who took Maddie the courage and spiritual strength to return her. Please God, just one phone call with a location that will bring that baby back home. Please.

For the McCann Family:rose: For their beautiful little girl, Maddie:rose:
:rose: My HEART & PRAYERS Are With The Family

http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/...l=eng&gi=maddy (http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/...l=eng&gi=maddy)
Thanks Brooke.I was praying with you on that one.

[Mishell1383]

Did anyone else read this news report? http://edition.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/europe/06/13/missing.mccann/
I hope to God it is not true!! Please be a hoax! Maddie you HAVE to be out there somewhere! :rose:

[Mishell1383]

Oh, Mishell! I hope and pray this isn't true! Please let this be a hoax. You are so right, Maddie just HAS to out there, alive, somewhere.

For Maddie:rose:
Brooke, its been so strange, not that I'm giving up hope, but for some reason all this time I have felt that she's still alive, I've always had a feeling she would make it home, I'm still praying she does, and so far, there is no proof this is true! Maddy MAKE IT HOME SAFE HUNNY! WERE WAITING FOR YOU!

[Jayelles]

According to the news on Radio Scotland this morning, the Portugese police are preparing to search an area of scrubland.

If it's a hoax, I really hope they catch the "joker".

[Mishell1383]

http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/europe/06/13/missing.mccann/

why is the media so heartless?

[Zoey]

According to the news on Radio Scotland this morning, the Portugese police are preparing to search an area of scrubland.

If it's a hoax, I really hope they catch the "joker".

They are talking about it tonight on Nancy Grace.

I am like you Jayelles, if it is a hoax, I hope they can nail the sick person that thought this would be funny.

But if it is not, and they find her body...oh, it is just too sad to think about...sorry...tears messed up my eyes and I couldn't see to type. I just don't want to think about another child being murdered.

[Jayelles]

The police have found nothing in the scrubland:-

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6755587.stm

The search was called off hours later and police said no more were planned.

Ch Insp Olegario Sousa, of Portuguese police, told the BBC: "The line of enquiry has now been discarded."

[Mishell1383]

The police have found nothing in the scrubland:-

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6755587.stm
thanks for the update, do you think this is a good thing or a bad thing?

[Jayelles]

thanks for the update, do you think this is a good thing or a bad thing?

I'm glad her body wasn't found because it means she can still be alive.

[Athena]

I'm glad her body wasn't found because it means she can still be alive.

I cetainly hope so. :rose:

[One2Snoop]

Updated: Saturday, 23 June 2007, 14:23 GMT 15:23 UK


More Madeleine sightings reported

The search for Madeleine has been taken to Malta

Police in Malta are investigating two more possible sightings on the island of missing Madeleine McCann.
A spokeswoman said a British man and a local woman had told officers they may have seen the British four-year-old.

It follows a number of other reported sightings of a child resembling Madeleine in the island's capital, Valletta, and five other locations.

Madeleine disappeared from the holiday apartment where she was staying in Praia De Luz, Portugal, on 3 May.

Detectives in Malta are following up claims by a Maltese woman who said she had seen a "look-alike" of Madeleine accompanied by a middle-aged woman near the City Gate in Valletta.

Snip

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/6233344.stm

[Jayelles]

There's been about 6 separate "sightings" in Malta. However, the McCanns don't want to get their hopes up because other "sightings" turned out to be false.

[samanthajane13]

Police Probe Link Between Madeleine and Trafficking Network
Monday, June 25, 2007

Fox News

The abduction of Madeleine McCann may be linked to a trafficking network that sees children put on the market for $14,000, detectives have said.

Officers in France say Eastern European gangs are holding auctions in supermarket parking lots in Portugal and France. They have released details of the trade, as they believe it may be related to the four-year-old's disappearance, a Sky source said.

In one recent case, the mother of a baby boy was arrested for attempting to sell her baby North of Lisbon. In addition, two Romanian couples were arrested in a supermarket parking lot near Bordeaux while attempting to sell a girl.

Madeleine was snatched from her bed in her family's holiday flat in the Portuguese resort of Praia da Luz on May 3.

Shoppers in Monaco have reported seeing a girl of similar age and appearance to the missing child escaping abductors when they attempted to cut off her hair.

Experts have questioned, however, whether child traffickers or a childless couple are behind Madeleine's disappearance, as they would have taken her younger siblings, who were with her at the time.

Younger children are easier to abduct and smuggle, and are easier to 'mold,' experts told Sky.

Meanwhile, the number of reported sightings of Madeleine in Malta has risen to 14, with three new sightings on Saturday.

All 1,800 officers in Monaco have been given a picture of Madeleine while the airport and harbors are on high alert.

CCTV footage is also being checked to see if it shows the child being brought onto the island.

[Mishell1383]

wow thanks for the article. I hope shes foound soon. This is such a sad case. :rose: For Maddie

[sharlock]

Yeah thanks for keeping us up to date I haven't given up hope for this little girl I hope she comes home!

[Jayelles]

Unconfirmed reports that an Italian has been arrested in the Madeleine case in a Spanish town just hours from where she was abducted.

[Mishell1383]

This may seem like an ignorant question, but I am curious, Why would these people that have "sighted" Madeline just report it, I would think one would call 911 and stay on the phone, and try to follow the look-alike until a cop went and found the source of the sighting, and checked out the little girl to see if it was her. Why would they just have reportings?

[Mishell1383]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/6251266.stm

heres the unconfirmed report. Of course they posted it with the cutest picture of her. Shes so adorable what a little gem. :rose:

[Jayelles]

This may seem like an ignorant question, but I am curious, Why would these people that have "sighted" Madeline just report it, I would think one would call 911 and stay on the phone, and try to follow the look-alike until a cop went and found the source of the sighting, and checked out the little girl to see if it was her. Why would they just have reportings?

It's not an ignorant question at all. I wondered the same thing. Of course, we are talking about British people and we are notoriously afraid to get involved in what might turn out to be an embarassing mistake.

A few days ago, I was in the local mall and heading towards the automatic doors to leave the mall. There was a toddler in front of me - wandering towards the door. As the doors opened, he made to step outside and I grabbed him back saying "Don't go outside. Where's Mummy?" He replied "Don't know" and he took my hand. I turned to lead him back into the mall (I was in a terrible rush BTW) and I said "Let's find Mummy". At that point a couple came towards me and said "What's wrong?" I told him I thought the little boy was lost and they said "He's with us and the little boy put his arms up to the woman to get lifted up". The little boy had been walking quite a bit in front of his parents. I felt quite embarassed and hoped no-one would think I had been trying to take him away. You just don't know what to do in a situation like that. He could easily have run out onto a busy road.

I was a bit shaken but I comforted myself with the knowledge that I'm a teacher and in Scotland, teachers have to undergo rigorous police (Disclosure Scotland) and medical checks (i.e. mental health). If anyone had questioned me, they'd probably believe that I was protecting the child rather than doing anything suspicious.

I remember some years ago witnessing a woman finding a lost child in the High Street and she took the little girl by the hand and stood with her in the middle of the precinct so that a parent would spot her easily. Everyone could see that the woman was helping the child and keeping her safe. Suddenly the child's mother came rushing out of a shop and literally snatched the child from the woman! No thanks or anything.

[Hey Paula]

Report of 22 minutes ago:

An Italian man and a Portuguese woman have been arrested in Spain over the suspected kidnapping of Madeleine McCann, according to a Spanish news website.

Chief Inspector Olegario Sousa, from Portuguese police, said he had heard the report from Spanish newspaper El Pais and was trying to verify it.

He added: "I have heard about this and I am trying to check this information with my director."

Spanish newspaper El Mundo also said French police had circulated an international arrest warrant for the Italian

Madeleine's great uncle, Brian Kennedy, said: "We are trying not to get our hopes up too much because they so frequently get dashed."

The family had been cautioned to be "very careful" about reading too much into reports about Madeleine, he added.

But he said they were still welcome because it meant people were still keeping a look out for her and that they had not forgotten about her plight.

It is now 56 days since Madeleine, from Rothley, Leicestershire, went missing from her hotel room in the Portuguese resort Praia da Luz while her parents, Gerry and Kate, were eating in a restaurant just 100 yards away.

Her parents have stayed in Portugal since she disappeared, insisting they will not leave until she is found.

People across Europe should call the international Crimestoppers line on 0044 188 373 1336 or if they are inside the UK 0800 555 111 if they have information.


LINK:

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/itn/20070628/twl-spanish-police-make-madeleine-arrest-41f21e0_3.html

Here is another LINK:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,,2114302,00.html

[Mishell1383]

It's not an ignorant question at all. I wondered the same thing. Of course, we are talking about British people and we are notoriously afraid to get involved in what might turn out to be an embarassing mistake.

A few days ago, I was in the local mall and heading towards the automatic doors to leave the mall. There was a toddler in front of me - wandering towards the door. As the doors opened, he made to step outside and I grabbed him back saying "Don't go outside. Where's Mummy?" He replied "Don't know" and he took my hand. I turned to lead him back into the mall (I was in a terrible rush BTW) and I said "Let's find Mummy". At that point a couple came towards me and said "What's wrong?" I told him I thought the little boy was lost and they said "He's with us and the little boy put his arms up to the woman to get lifted up". The little boy had been walking quite a bit in front of his parents. I felt quite embarassed and hoped no-one would think I had been trying to take him away. You just don't know what to do in a situation like that. He could easily have run out onto a busy road.

I was a bit shaken but I comforted myself with the knowledge that I'm a teacher and in Scotland, teachers have to undergo rigorous police (Disclosure Scotland) and medical checks (i.e. mental health). If anyone had questioned me, they'd probably believe that I was protecting the child rather than doing anything suspicious.

I remember some years ago witnessing a woman finding a lost child in the High Street and she took the little girl by the hand and stood with her in the middle of the precinct so that a parent would spot her easily. Everyone could see that the woman was helping the child and keeping her safe. Suddenly the child's mother came rushing out of a shop and literally snatched the child from the woman! No thanks or anything.
Your right. That happened to me once, I was in a Target store and this little girl had thrown herself down in a frenzy so I walked over to her seeing no one else was around, I asked "whats wrong hunny?" she was about 3 years old, she said in clear hysterics "I I I can't find my mommy!!!!" I said "ok, no problem we'll find mommy" she took my hand and we went to walk over to the customer service desk so they could page the woman over the loud speaker, but before we got there the woman snatched her up and clearly looked at me and said "what is wrong with you!?" :eek: <-- that was me after she said that, so, she was with, I'm assuming her mother and the little girls grandmother, and the grams said don't take that personally she was frantic. It was like well gee, kind of hard not too!!! But yes I see what you are saying, people are strange, and I always said to myself well it was better I found the girl than some psychopath, but they don't think like that.

Maybe if they stayed quite a distance away and just followed on the phone instead of going up to the "so-called victim?" But than again I'm sure alot of the reports were bogus anyway... sigh! I guess its only a matter of being in the right place at the right time, it is a very tough situation, people get very strange when children are involved. :shrug:

[samanthajane13]

No problem keeping everyone up-dated.

Every few days, I go to www.alltheweb.com, and open it to news, and type in Madeliene's name...just to see if there's anything developing, and if I see anything interesting, I'll bring it here.

I've been busy on the Chris Benoit thing since Monday, and that case is such a train-wreck!!! As a wrestling fan, it's made me nuts to have this happen. I just don't know what to feel or think right now about the whole thing. And my daughter is beside herself. We were VERY big fans...and the whole thing justs hurts.

Why is there so much tragedy???

[samanthajane13]

Madeleine McCann allegedly seen in Gzira

By Maltamedia News
Jun 30, 2007 - 7:17:04 PM

In the past few days, no reports with regards 4-year-old Madeleine McCann were received by the Police. However, on Saturday an anonymous person reported seeing the British girl on the 3rd June 2007 in Bouverie Street in Gzira.

The report said the girl resembling Madeleine was in a pushchair accompanied by a man described as thin and with short hair. However, all Police efforts have all proved fruitless to date.

The Police are continuing their investigations on incoming reports, as well as keeping in touch with foreign services also involved in the case.

Police have been investigating Madeleine sightings since the 27th May when a Maltese national claimed the girl was seen in Valletta in the company of a man one week earlier.

Meanwhile, a few days ago the Portugese police said they are looking into a 'lead' given by Spanish Antonio Toscano, who has described himself as an investigator but who does not work for the police. BBC news reported that Mr Toscano was questioned for two hours. Mr Toscano has claimed for weeks that before Madeleine's disappearance a man called 'the Frenchman', involved in a European paedophile ring, was overhead saying he was coming to the Algarve.

Mr Toscano claims he is certain that this man had been involved in Madeleine's disappearance and from knowledge of the man's methods, he believed that the youngster was still alive. When he originally spoke to police and the McCanns' spokesman by phone several weeks ago, he refused to give details, BBC news reported.

Madeleine's parents, Kate and Gerry have expressed themselves cautious of the sightings. They have been searching for their daughter ever since she went missing from a holiday apartment in Praia da Luz in the Algarve, Portugal on the 3rd May. It is believed that she was kidnapped.



© Copyright 2007 by MaltaMedia.com

[samanthajane13]

Two arrested in Madeleine McCann case

June 28 2007 at 10:38PM

San Roque - Spanish police on Thursday arrested an Italian man and a Portuguese woman for allegedly trying to extort money from the parents of missing British four-year-old Madeleine McCann.

The couple were arrested at San Roque near the southern Spanish port of Algeciras after an investigation launched when police learnt they had contacted Madeleine's parents seeking a reward, the interior ministry said.

Security officers had raided their beachside apartment in the luxury "Sotogrande" block on Thursday morning before blocking it off with police cars, witnesses and neighbours said.

"The facts point to fraudsters although the police investigation has not yet run its course," the interior ministry said in a statement.

Harry Potter author JK Rowling and billionaire Richard Branson are among the celebrities and business leaders who have contributed to a reward fund for information leading to the girl's return that tops £2,5-million (about R36-million).

Madeleine, known as Maddie, disappeared on May 3 from the hotel room where she and her two-year-old twin siblings were sleeping in the southern Portuguese resort town of Praia da Luz while her parents were out dining nearby.

Her disappearance has been given widespread news coverage worldwide with her parents heading an international campaign to keep the case in the public eye and locate her.

Spanish police said they were examining links between the arrested couple and Maddie, but Portuguese and Italian officials said they did not think they were directly connected to her disappearance.

A Portuguese police spokesperson, Olegario Sousa, said the Italian had been arrested after he telephoned a lawyer in the Spanish city of Malaga to say he had information about Maddie's abduction.

The suspect was also understood to be involved in trafficking bogus artwork, the spokesperson added.

Spanish authorities said earlier that the French authorities had issued an international arrest warrant for the man.

Madeleine's parents have visited several countries to keep up their quest to find their daughter and have also set up a website, findmadeleine.com, which has received millions of hits.

Intense efforts by Portuguese authorities have not turned up many leads, despite more than 100 people being interviewed and dozens of searches of flats near where the family where staying.

In recent weeks there have been reported sightings of Maddie in Greece and Morocco.

British citizen Robert Murat, 33, who lives in Praia da Luz near the hotel complex where Madeleine disappeared, was questioned on May 15 but released for lack of evidence without being remanded.

On June 11, Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf reported Madeleine's body had been located near Praia da Luz, but the lead was rapidly revealed to be a hoax, while searches in Morocco have also come to nothing.

About 200 officers, including some from Interpol, Europol and British and Portuguese police, are working on the Madeleine case while Spain is also providing support as she disappeared barely 100km from the border.

Last week Madeleine McCann's parents released 50 balloons on a beach near where she vanished in Portugal to mark 50 days since her disappearance.

Gerry McCann told SIC Noticias television that he wanted to continue the campaign to find his daughter for as long as possible.

Former England football captain David Beckham and Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo have made televised appeals for information about the whereabouts of Madeleine.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Madeleine: Extortion claim in latest arrest

June 29 2007 at 12:10PM

Madrid / Lisbon - Hopes of a breakthrough in the case of Madeleine McCann were fading Friday after Spanish police revealed that a man arrested on Thursday had only wanted to extort money from the 4-year-old girl's parents.

The Italian held in southern Spain did not appear to have a direct connection with Madeleine's disappearance in Portugal on May 3, according to Spanish and Portuguese police.

He was believed to have intended to give Madeleine's parents false information about her whereabouts in the hope of netting the reward, worth millions of euros, promised by a group of people to who would help find her.

The Italian and his Portuguese girlfriend were detained in Sotogrande near the port town of Algeciras. France had issued an arrest warrant for the man, who was reportedly wanted for participating in a plot to kill a judge.

The Italian had earlier served a 18-month prison sentence for ill-treatment of his young daughter.

The arrest warrant had no connection with the Madeleine case.

Portuguese police said they continued investigating the case in which Robert Murat remained the only suspect. The Briton has a residence in the southern holiday resort of Praia da Luz where Madeleine went missing.

The girl was snatched from her bed while her parents were dining in a nearby restaurant. A search operation has been mounted in several countries.

[samanthajane13]

Another alleged sighting of Madeleine McCann
By MaltaMedia News
Jul 5, 2007 - 5:08:55 PM

Police received another report of an alleged sighting of missing 4-year-old British girl Madeleine McCann.
An anonymous caller told police that at around 1330CEST on Thursday, he saw the young girl wearing a helmet and riding a scooter near a roundabout which leads to Mġarr and Ta’ Qali. Police have been investigating numerous alleged sightings of the child in the recent weeks, however all efforts have so far proved fruitless.

Police have been investigating such sightings since the 27th May when a Maltese national claimed the girl was seen in Valletta in the company of a man one week earlier.

She went missing from a holiday apartment in Praia da Luz in the Algarve, Portugal on the 3rd May. It is believed that she was kidnapped.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Another reported sighting of Madeleine in Marsa
By Maltamedia News
Jul 7, 2007 - 7:41:23 PM

Police received another report of an alleged sighting of missing 4-year-old British girl Madeleine McCann in Marsa.
An anonymous caller told the police that at around 1700CEST on Saturday, a young girl resembling Madeleine Mc Cann was accompanied by a dark skinned man in Marsa.

Police have been investigating numerous alleged sightings of the child in the recent weeks, however all efforts have so far proved fruitless.

Police have been investigating such sightings since the 27th May when a Maltese national claimed the girl was seen in Valletta in the company of a man one week earlier.

Madeliene McCann went missing from a holiday apartment in Praia da Luz in the Algarve, Portugal on the 3rd May. It is believed that she was kidnapped.

Police investigations are ongoing.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Man arrested over false Madeleine claims
By Fiona Govan in Praia da Luz
Last Updated: 12:47am BST 07/07/2007

A man claiming to know the whereabouts of Madeleine McCann has been arrested in the Netherlands for attempting to defraud the parents of the missing girl, Dutch prosecutors said yesterday.

Police in Eindhoven arrested the 39-year-old, whose name has not been released, on Wednesday. He had contacted the McCann family claiming to know the identity of the four-year-old's abductors and where she was being held. He demanded a payment of two million euros in return for the information.

The suspect sent the McCanns a series of six emails - the first on June 14 - that were traced to an internet café and an unemployment office, according to police.

At the request of British and Portuguese authorities, Dutch police gave the investigation "the highest priority" and eventually traced the emails to the suspect.

The man claimed to have made up the story because he was "bored" and police are certain he has no information about Madeleine, who was taken from her bed in the Portuguese resort of Praia da Luz on May 3.

"After his arrest the unemployed suspect [said that] out of boredom he had started to play with the feelings of Madeleine's parents," read a statement issued by Dutch authorities yesterday.

"Money was probably his motive although he claims he did not really expect to get it.

"The attempted fraud caused unnecessary distress to the parents. That people get greedy under these circumstances and think they can cash in on the disappearance is totally unacceptable."

Wim de Bruin, a prosecution spokesman, said the man would be charged with attempted fraud, and could face a maximum sentence of four years if convicted.

The arrest follows that of a couple in Sotogrande on the Costa del Sol in Spain nine days ago. Italian Danilo Chemello, 61, and his Portuguese girlfriend Aurora Pereira Vaz, 54, were arrested after approaching a lawyer with claims that they knew where Madeleine was being held.

Gerry McCann, 39, said yesterday that the extortion attempt had been "distressing" and thanked the police forces involved in tracking down the perpetrator of the "outrageous crime".

"This extortion attempt has caused Kate and I considerable distress," he said.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

When is this going to end????

That poor sweet baby needs to be found and brought back to her parents.

:rose: For Maddie's safe return!:rose:

[sharlock]

It cannot end soon enough for Madeleines parents I am sure. It breaks my heart to think of their loss and not knowing owuld be the hardest thing of all!

[Mishell1383]

HE WAS BORED!!! Im so glad that playing with the hopes of parents who cannot find answers to their daughters abduction is means for him to have a good chuckle and fix his boredom. That man deserves .... well we all know what he deserves. GRRRRRR! That makes me so HEATED!



For Maddie! and the McCann family! :rose:

[Athena]

HE WAS BORED!!! Im so glad that playing with the hopes of parents who cannot find answers to their daughters abduction is means for him to have a good chuckle and fix his boredom. That man deserves .... well we all know what he deserves. GRRRRRR! That makes me so HEATED!


For Maddie! and the McCann family! :rose:

ITA Mishell. Sad isn't it that someone could attempt to exploit a family that is grieving for a missing child. Just plain, downright sick. :flamemad:

Thanks Samanthajane... for the updates. Much appreciated. :)

[samanthajane13]

No problem.

[HowardLovedAnna]

Although there hasnt been any real news as such lately Robert Murat was called in for questioning again yesterday and questioned for some 8 hours or slightly more and then released. He has been called in for questioning AGAIN this morning. Also three of the Mccans friends have been called in for questioning regarding there statements on the day Madeleine went missing. At a rough guess there probably the ones who done the checks on the apartment jmo

At least the police seem to be doing something in the case atm at least jmo

[samanthajane13]

THE father of Madeleine McCann yesterday met child abduction experts in the UK to learn about criminal profiling techniques being used in the search for his daughter.

Gerry McCann visited the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP) in London as part of a short trip to the UK.

CEOP has been playing a high-profile role in the investigation into Madeleine's abduction, providing crucial expertise to Portuguese detectives.

The organisation launched a mass trawl of holiday snaps gathered from members of the public who were in the Algarve around 3 May, the time of Madeleine's abduction, checking bystanders' features against biometric facial maps of known offenders.

Dr McCann said today: "We believe that the police are doing everything in their power to find our daughter.

"Today, I found out more about some of the techniques used to profile abductors of children.

"Kate and I hope this will help us understand more about investigations."

Last updated: 14-Jul-07 02:21 BST

[samanthajane13]

By Fiona Govan in Praia da Luz
Last Updated: 3:21am BST 13/07/2007

Friends of the family of Madeleine McCann have confronted the man described by police as the "formal suspect" in the case of the missing four-year-old in an extraordinary meeting arranged by Portuguese detectives.

They were called to police headquarters in Portimao to face Robert Murat with claims that they saw a man near the McCanns' apartment in Praia da Luz on the night she was abducted.

Mr Murat, 33, a British expatriate, has always insisted that he was at home with his mother when Madeleine was taken on May 3 and maintains that he only learnt about her disappearance the following morning when he joined in the search.

Fiona Payne, 34, from Leicester, and Russell O'Brien, 36, from Exeter, both doctors, and another friend, Rachael Oldfield, 36, formed part of the group which dined with Kate and Gerry McCann in a nearby tapas restaurant on the night their daughter was snatched from the room she shared with her two-year-old siblings, twins Sean and Amelie.

The three flew to Portugal earlier this week at the request of the police.

They were asked to meet Mr Murat face to face in an interview room at the police station in an attempt to establish whether Mr Murat could have been the man they saw.

A police source said: "It is normal in Portugal for the two sides to be brought together to try and find the truth.

"This is what happened on Wednesday," the source told local media.

The three family friends left the police station after two hours. But Mr Murat was questioned for a total of six hours before leaving with his status unchanged.

Mr Murat, a former estate agent who lives with his mother Jenny, 71, in a villa less than 100 yards from the apartment where Madeleine, of Rothley, Leics, was taken was officially made an "arguido", a formal suspect in the case, on May 15.

He became involved in the search for Madeleine the morning after her abduction and was hired by police to act as a translator in the early stages of the investigation.

He strenuously denies any involvement in her disappearance.

The McCanns have refused to discuss the investigation into Madeleine's disappearance saying only that they have been assured by police that everything is being done to find their daughter.

However, Mr McCann, in his blog, commented on his friends' visit to the police station. "The Portuguese police interviewed three of our friends again, to clarify points in their initial statements," he wrote.

"We would like to give more information, especially about inaccurate and hurtful reports, but cannot for fear of prejudicing any subsequent court proceedings.

"The Portuguese police have made it clear to us that all witnesses should not divulge or discuss the information they have provided. Kate and I are, of course, not party to all of the information coming into the inquiry for sound operational reasons."

[samanthajane13]

Gerry's anguish 10 weeks on
By Martin Fricker
14 July 2007

MADELEINE McCann's dad has marked the passing of 10 weeks since she vanished by issuing a new plea to the public to help find her.

Glasgow-born Gerry McCann said: "No child should be separated from their family in such circumstances."

Writing in his weblog, Gerry, 39, added: "It is 10 weeks since Madeleine was abducted and every day has been incredibly hard for our family.

"The overwhelming messages of support, thoughts and prayers really help us stay strong.

"Somebody, somewhere knows where Madeleine is and it may take a single phone call for her to be found. We will not give up searching for her."

Gerry, a doctor, attended the National Police Federation Annual Bravery awards on Thursday night, where Prince Charles was also a guest.


The young heart specialist received a standing ovation from the audience, which he described as a "humbling experience".


Yesterday, Gerry met officers at the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre to learn more about their work.


He said: "We want to work closely with the police and child welfare organisations to help us keep awareness of Madeleine's and other children's disappearance high."


Madeleine, four, was abducted from the McCanns' holiday apartment in the Portuguese resort of Praia da Luz on May 3. Police are expected to continue re-interviewing witnesses next week.


Gerry and wife Kate have vowed to stay in Portugal until Madeleine is found.

[samanthajane13]

Friends of Madeleine McCann's family have launched a new campaign to raise awareness of the missing toddler.
Neighbours of Madeleine's aunt have designed special luggage labels featuring her picture and police contact details.

Jacqueline McKernan and Elaine Doyle hope their campaign will keep the search for Madeleine in the public eye.

The tags are available at travel agents in Clydebank and Dumbarton and at West Dunbartonshire Council offices.

Jacqueline McKernan, a council customer services assistant, said: "They are very distinctive and we hope people will take a tag to tie onto their luggage when going on holiday over the next few weeks.

"We need to keep the search for Madeleine alive by continuing to raise awareness and promote her image abroad."


Last Updated: Thursday, 12 July 2007, 15:06 GMT 16:06 UK

[Jayelles]

Friends of Madeleine McCann's family have launched a new campaign to raise awareness of the missing toddler.
Neighbours of Madeleine's aunt have designed special luggage labels featuring her picture and police contact details.

Jacqueline McKernan and Elaine Doyle hope their campaign will keep the search for Madeleine in the public eye.

The tags are available at travel agents in Clydebank and Dumbarton and at West Dunbartonshire Council offices.

Jacqueline McKernan, a council customer services assistant, said: "They are very distinctive and we hope people will take a tag to tie onto their luggage when going on holiday over the next few weeks.

"We need to keep the search for Madeleine alive by continuing to raise awareness and promote her image abroad."


Last Updated: Thursday, 12 July 2007, 15:06 GMT 16:06 UK

That's a really good idea about the luggage tags. We will be travelling soon so I think I'll send off for these tags. There are Madeleine posters in the most unexpected places. Last week we went sailing and her poster was in the window of a tiny shop in a remote little village.

There was a piece in yesterday's Daily Mail about the interview with the parents' friends and Robert Murat saying that it is normal Portugese practice to bring material witnesses and suspects face to face.

[writefx]

I'm following the story in all the papers every day and read things that I could have never predicted.

Yet they all seem to have been red herrings.

I can't imagine what has really happened.

[samanthajane13]

Who ever did this, they NEED to be caught. They're really disturbed to be doing this type of thing in the first place, and to torture Maddie's family-and possibly Maddie-is disgusting.

SOMEONE must know-or suspect-something. A friend, neighbor or familt member-and they NEED to come forward with the info they have.

Little girls don't just disappear with someone and not need food, etc.

And all the random sightings are scary-it's like they're taunting law enforcement...

[Jayelles]

Gerry McCann is flying to the States to meet experts at both the National and International Centres for Missing and Exploited Children. :-

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6910481.stm

"I am going to the USA to meet experts at both the National and International Centres for Missing and Exploited Children.

"We want to work closely with the police and child welfare agencies in maintaining the profile of Madeleine's and other children's disappearance."

He added: "We hope our efforts will help make the world a little bit safer for all children. Kate and I believe there is a strong, public feeling that crimes against children, wherever they may occur, are totally unacceptable."

[Jayelles]

I haven't quite gotten my head around this one, but I *think* JK Rowling has sponsored a poster campaign linking Madeleine's appearance with the release of her latest book:-

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6901845.stm

Ms Rowling said she hoped thousands of people around the world will see the missing girl's image as they queue for their copy of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

[elvislives]

I haven't quite gotten my head around this one, but I *think* JK Rowling has sponsored a poster campaign linking Madeleine's appearance with the release of her latest book:-

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6901845.stm

Jay, I read this same thing, BUT I was in the grocery store yesterday and they had a huge Harry Potter display with the new book and the promotional posters. I didn't see anything on those posters that referenced Madeliene's disappearance :confused:

But I am in the US, maybe they have different posters for Europe?

[Jayelles]

Jay, I read this same thing, BUT I was in the grocery store yesterday and they had a huge Harry Potter display with the new book and the promotional posters. I didn't see anything on those posters that referenced Madeliene's disappearance :confused:

But I am in the US, maybe they have different posters for Europe?

I don't know Elvis. We ordered our copy of HP from Amazon! I'll be in town on Thurday and will have a look then.

[samanthajane13]

24.07.07

The father of missing Madeleine McCann was yesterday forced to defend his decision to leave his daughter alone on the night she was snatched.

Gerry McCann was grilled by American TV networks about why he and his wife Kate did not hire a babysitter to watch their three children as they dined with friends.

Gerry, 39, is in the States on a fact-finding mission to see how they deal with the issue of child abduction and exploitation - as well as publicise Madeleine's case.

Madeliene was abducted 83 days ago as she slept in her bed at the Ocean Club resort in Praia da Luz, Portugal. Yesterday her father conducted a string of TV interviews with ABC, CNN and CBS.

Speaking on ABC's Good Morning America, the heart consultant said: "We were dining 50 yards away and we could see the apartment from where we were. It's like we were sat in our back garden, all be it at the end of our garden.

"The kids were sound asleep and they were being checked regularly. We didn't think we needed a babysitter. "We are good parents and what we did felt perfectly reasonable at the time.

"Hindsight is an incredible thing. Clearly we couldn't have predicted what was to happen."

He was also quizzed about the possibility he and GP Kate, also 39, could be prosecuted for leaving Madeleine and two year old twins Sean and Amelie alone in the apartment that night.

He told CNN: "We have been assured by the authorities that what we did fell well within the boundaries of good parenting.

"Madeleine was targeted by a predator and we shouldn't have to be worrying about people getting into our homes and gardens and playgrounds. That is the real criminal act here."

Gerry yesterday (Tue) visited the White House to meet with senior staff of First Lady Laura Bush.

Mrs Bush has taken a personal interest in Madeleine's case but was unable to meet Gerry because of prior commitments.

Gerry has already met US Attorney General Alberto Gonzales in Washington to discuss efforts to tackle child abduction.

He also met experts from the National and International Centres for Missing and Exploited Children.

He said: "Obviously my focus just now is on trying to get our daughter back. That's the key thing.

"But I think there is a lot of goodwill out there at the minute, that we might be able to leave something tangible for all children, and I think most people agree that these sorts of crimes should not happen and the perpetrators have to be pursued wherever these crimes are performed."

Mr McCann is on four-day fact-finding visit to the US to find out about America's "more advanced systems" to track down missing children.

"She knows very much that we love her and we won't stop searching for her."

Gerry McCann has taken his search for Madeleine from US daytime TV all the way to the White House.

He is said to be convinced that the high-profile campaign to find his daughter Madeleine could also help other missing children

The 39-year-old heart specialist is in America on his global crusade publicising the four-year-old's disappearance from a holiday apartment in Portugal at the beginning of May.

He has already met US Attorney General Alberto Gonzales in Washington to discuss efforts to tackle child abduction.

He also met experts from the National and International Centres for Missing and Exploited Children.

"Obviously my focus just now is on trying to get our daughter back. That's the key thing.

"But I think there is a lot of goodwill out there at the minute, that we might be able to leave something tangible for all children, and I think most people agree that these sorts of crimes should not happen and the perpetrators have to be pursued wherever these crimes are performed."

Mr McCann is on four-day fact-finding visit to the US to find out about America's "more advanced systems" to track down missing children.

He and his wife, Kate, have mounted a vigorous campaign to find Madeleine since she disappeared from the apartment in the holiday resort of Praia da Luz.

"She knows very much that we love her and we won't stop searching for her."

Madeleine McCann has been missing since May 3.

The National and International Centres for Missing and Exploited Children were established in 1984 and 1998 respectively after six-year-old Adam Walsh was murdered after being snatched from a department store in Florida in 1981.

The case led to a major review of child abduction cases in the US and legislation passed last year - the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act - was named in his honour.

The Act significantly strengthens America's nationwide sex offender registration system and introduces harsher penalties for child sex offenders.

[samanthajane13]

By MaltaMedia News
Jul 25, 2007 - 4:37:52 PM


Malta is on the front line again in the case of missing Madeleine McCann. Detectives are in fact pursuing a new theory that the four-year-old may have been smuggled out of Portugal on a boat. International newspapers are now focusing on the possibility that the case might indeed have a connection with Malta.

Over the past weeks, Maltese police have been investigating various alleged local sightings. The latest reports led to police to Marsa, Xemxija and Gzira. However, they have proved fruitless.

On Wednesday, The Daily Express reported that detectives are working on the smuggling theory after uncovering details of the escape route the youngster's kidnapper is believed to have taken. The suspect was seen rushing towards the seafront in the Algarve holiday resort of Praia da Luz.

On Saturday, the newspaper told how a witness saw a man dashing past the tiny Nossa Senhora church in Praia da Luz on the day Maddie was kidnapped. Police are treating this sighting as "significant" thus conolidating the theory of the kidnapper's escape by sea.

From there, kidnappers could have sailed to another part of Europe or North Africa.

The police followed reports last month that a girl resembling Madeleine was seen being taken on to the yacht of a wealthy Arab family in Malta, The Daily Express said.

Meanwhile, The National Alledger reported that a young girl who looked like Madeleine McCann was reportedly spotted on a yacht earlier in the search for the young girl.

"At the time several people contacted the police to report the sightings. Some were so convinced that girl was Madeleine that they tried to approach the yacht but were blocked from getting near the yeacht by security guards," it said.

The National Alledger questions whether the yacht made it to Malta and why the boat was never searched by the authorities.

[Mishell1383]

24.07.07

The father of missing Madeleine McCann was yesterday forced to defend his decision to leave his daughter alone on the night she was snatched.

Gerry McCann was grilled by American TV networks about why he and his wife Kate did not hire a babysitter to watch their three children as they dined with friends.

Gerry, 39, is in the States on a fact-finding mission to see how they deal with the issue of child abduction and exploitation - as well as publicise Madeleine's case.

Madeliene was abducted 83 days ago as she slept in her bed at the Ocean Club resort in Praia da Luz, Portugal. Yesterday her father conducted a string of TV interviews with ABC, CNN and CBS.

Speaking on ABC's Good Morning America, the heart consultant said: "We were dining 50 yards away and we could see the apartment from where we were. It's like we were sat in our back garden, all be it at the end of our garden.

"The kids were sound asleep and they were being checked regularly. We didn't think we needed a babysitter. "We are good parents and what we did felt perfectly reasonable at the time.

"Hindsight is an incredible thing. Clearly we couldn't have predicted what was to happen."

He was also quizzed about the possibility he and GP Kate, also 39, could be prosecuted for leaving Madeleine and two year old twins Sean and Amelie alone in the apartment that night.

He told CNN: "We have been assured by the authorities that what we did fell well within the boundaries of good parenting.

"Madeleine was targeted by a predator and we shouldn't have to be worrying about people getting into our homes and gardens and playgrounds. That is the real criminal act here."

Gerry yesterday (Tue) visited the White House to meet with senior staff of First Lady Laura Bush.

Mrs Bush has taken a personal interest in Madeleine's case but was unable to meet Gerry because of prior commitments.

Gerry has already met US Attorney General Alberto Gonzales in Washington to discuss efforts to tackle child abduction.

He also met experts from the National and International Centres for Missing and Exploited Children.

He said: "Obviously my focus just now is on trying to get our daughter back. That's the key thing.

"But I think there is a lot of goodwill out there at the minute, that we might be able to leave something tangible for all children, and I think most people agree that these sorts of crimes should not happen and the perpetrators have to be pursued wherever these crimes are performed."

Mr McCann is on four-day fact-finding visit to the US to find out about America's "more advanced systems" to track down missing children.

"She knows very much that we love her and we won't stop searching for her."

Gerry McCann has taken his search for Madeleine from US daytime TV all the way to the White House.

He is said to be convinced that the high-profile campaign to find his daughter Madeleine could also help other missing children

The 39-year-old heart specialist is in America on his global crusade publicising the four-year-old's disappearance from a holiday apartment in Portugal at the beginning of May.

He has already met US Attorney General Alberto Gonzales in Washington to discuss efforts to tackle child abduction.

He also met experts from the National and International Centres for Missing and Exploited Children.

"Obviously my focus just now is on trying to get our daughter back. That's the key thing.

"But I think there is a lot of goodwill out there at the minute, that we might be able to leave something tangible for all children, and I think most people agree that these sorts of crimes should not happen and the perpetrators have to be pursued wherever these crimes are performed."

Mr McCann is on four-day fact-finding visit to the US to find out about America's "more advanced systems" to track down missing children.

He and his wife, Kate, have mounted a vigorous campaign to find Madeleine since she disappeared from the apartment in the holiday resort of Praia da Luz.

"She knows very much that we love her and we won't stop searching for her."

Madeleine McCann has been missing since May 3.

The National and International Centres for Missing and Exploited Children were established in 1984 and 1998 respectively after six-year-old Adam Walsh was murdered after being snatched from a department store in Florida in 1981.

The case led to a major review of child abduction cases in the US and legislation passed last year - the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act - was named in his honour.

The Act significantly strengthens America's nationwide sex offender registration system and introduces harsher penalties for child sex offenders.

Thank you for posting this samanthajane!

I knew he was going to get scrutiny for leaving the three children in the hotel room when he came here. Its all anyone is talking about majorly about the case. However, i don't see why focusing on the fact that they weren't directly in the room or had a babysitter is any relevance at all. Also, I think if people stopped focusing on that fact than we could focus on better more important things such as finding Madeline. 83 days is a very long time for any child to be away from their family.

May Madeline be found safe and sound, and soon. :rose:

imo

[samanthajane13]

By Martin Fricker 23/07/2007

THOUSANDS of yellow ribbons are to be removed from a war memorial in the home village of missing Madeleine McCann.

But her great-uncle said it was not a sign the family had lost hope for the four-year-old who disappeared 81 days ago.

Brian Kennedy said: "We're not removing them because we're giving up the search but we think it's time to move on a bit."

AdvertisementMr Kennedy, 68, a retired head teacher, said trees around the village of Rothley, Leics, would soon have fresh ribbons tied around their trunks.

The lantern by the gates to the memorial would remain and be lit every night as a "symbol of hope".

He said: "We want to keep Madeleine in everybody's thoughts but we feel we must slowly begin to return to normality."

Toys and messages were removed weeks ago before being cleaned and sent to children's charities.

Madeleine's dad Gerry, 39, arrived in Washington DC last night as part of the campaign to highlight her disappearance.

[samanthajane13]

Madeleine McCann, 4, Last Seen In Praia da Luz, Portugal, In May
ALEXANDRIA, Va., July 24, 2007

(CBS/AP) After his 4-year-old daughter, Madeleine McCann, mysteriously vanished 82 days ago while on a family in vacation in Portugal, Gerry McCann has been traveling around the world to find her.

McCann, who is British, stopped in the United States to visit the Center for Missing and Exploited Children. He said he believes she was taken from the resort by either boat or car and could have possibly crossed into Spain.

"And of course then we're faced very difficult possibility of tracking her internationally," he told The Early Show co-anchor Julie Chen. "But she could still be in Portugal."

Madeleine disappeared May 3 after her parents left her and her brother and sister, 2-year-old twins, alone in their room while they went to a restaurant inside their hotel complex in Praia da Luz, a tiny resort town in Portugal's Algarve region.

Police have received countless tip-offs in the last two months, and the girl's parents have launched an international campaign to find her, enlisting the aid of celebrities such as soccer star David Beckham and J.K. Rowling, author of the "Harry Potter" books. McCann said the publicity has generated many reported sightings.

"There have been sightings as far away from Guatemala," he said. "There does appear to be thousands, if not millions, of people who are clearly aware and looking for Madeleine."

McCann said the support of people around the world has helped him and his family cope.

"The fact that so many people want to help find Madeleine," he said. "It does encourage us. But you can understand, the only thing that will make us really happy is getting Madeleine back safe and well."

Last month, Spanish police arrested an Italian man and a Portuguese woman with possible links to Madeleine's disappearance. Spanish television news reported that the man may have tried to extort money from McCann's parents, offering information about their daughter's whereabouts, though police did not confirm that.

The man was detained on an international arrest warrant originating in France, a police spokeswoman said. She said the warrant itself had nothing to do with the McCann case, but would not elaborate or say what made police suspect him in the missing girl case.

The woman was detained due to her association with the man, and there was no warrant for her arrest, the spokeswoman said. She did not identify either suspect by name, saying the investigation was ongoing.

The man and woman both were arrested in Sotogrande, a town in the southern Spanish province of Cadiz, the spokeswoman said, speaking on condition of anonymity in line with police rules.

[Jayelles]

Thank you for posting this samanthajane!

I knew he was going to get scrutiny for leaving the three children in the hotel room when he came here. Its all anyone is talking about majorly about the case. However, i don't see why focusing on the fact that they weren't directly in the room or had a babysitter is any relevance at all. Also, I think if people stopped focusing on that fact than we could focus on better more important things such as finding Madeline. 83 days is a very long time for any child to be away from their family.

May Madeline be found safe and sound, and soon. :rose:

imo

I wouldn't say it's not relevant because I think it would be fair to say that things would probably be different had they made a different decision that night (perhaps another child would be missing now?), but the fact is that they did what countless other European parents do on holiday -which is to settle the kids down for the evening and then go back down to the bar or restaurant taking it in turns to check on the kids.

As I've said before, hotels often offer a "baby-listening" service which involves having a member of staff patrol the hotel or complex listening for a crying child. This is terribly common and has been offered by probably every hotel we've ever stayed in on holiday. We used it once. Babysitting services are also offered but these are not usually provided by the hotel but would rather involve the hotel putting the parents in touch with a local freelance babysitter - i.e. a complete stranger. The McCanns chose a middle option - they chose not to leave their children with a complete stranger and not to use a baby listening service (which doesn't actually involve going into the apartment and check on the children).

Their decision to go to the tapas bar and to check on their sleeping children at intervals will haunt them for the rest of their lives, but I think that beating them up it up for it serves no useful purpose. What's done is done and IMO, we should focus on getting Maddie back. I'm sure that many lessons have been learned from this.

[samanthajane13]

Last updated at 15:54pm on 25th July 2007

A mother who scolded her tantrum-throwing daughter in a shop was outraged to be visited at home by police who told her it was inappropriate to reprimand the girl in the light of Madeleine McCann's disappearance.

Ruth Ball was at home when police officers knocked at her door and and ticked her off about the way she had chastised four-year-old Leigha.

The 24-year-old was told that the method she had used to reprimand Leigha was "inappropriate" in the light of Madeleine's disappearance from her family's holiday apartment in Portugal.

Ms Ball was at a newsagent in Dunstable, Bedfordshire, when Leigha started screaming after being refused sweets.

She swept her daughter out of the shop and put her in the car to calm down, standing a couple of feet away with her three-year-old son Jack.

A few minutes later she got into the car and drove the family home, thinking no more of it.

The following day a policeman visited her at her home in Luton to tell her off.

The officer said it was inadvisable to shout at her daughter and shut her in the car after what happened to missing Madeleine.

Ms Ball, who works as a care assistant, said: "I'm deeply sorry for what has happened to Madeleine, but why should I let my daughter get away with things because she was abducted?

"I am trying to raise two decent human beings, even though I have been advised by the police to let them run riot, turn into thugs and help keep the prison population going when they're older.

"Kids learn young. If they learn now that kicking, hitting and screaming gets what they want, what are they going to do when they're adults?"

Ms Ball added that she was shocked that somebody had taken down her numberplate and called police - but even more shocked that officers had visited her at home.

Ms Ball said: "Even the police officer said he didn't see the point in him being here. He had to come and show his face and tell me not to tell her off."

The force has been involved in various scandals and gaffes, including three in the space of a fortnight in May last year.

First, an elderly farmer was seized by armed police and thrown in a cell after - quite legally - firing a warning shot at a dog that was threatening his lambs.

Then it emerged four police officers had resigned after giving remand prisoners special favours - including sexual liaisons with girlfriends - in exchange for false confessions.

Days later, the force was criticised when a private school headmaster was found dead shortly after officers sent letters to parents asking if they had any 'concerns' about him. No arrest had been made at the time.

In 2004, a dangerous driving case collapsed at crown court because the arresting officer was teaching golf in Spain on a five-year career break.

A spokesman for Bedfordshire Police said: "We received a call from a member of the public concerned for the safety of a young girl she had seen being put into a car.

"We attended the address of the owner and it transpired that the child, who was happy with no injuries, had been put in the car after having a tantrum.

"If Ms Ball is concerned with what happened or what was said, she is very welcome to contact us."

+++++++++++++++++++++++++

Now we can't discipline our kids just becuase some sick SOB has kidnapped Maddie??

It makes me wonder...if OUR child were kidnapped, would we have the international spotlight on our child's case??

I doubt it. I think that because Maddie's parents were both doctors, and the kidnapping occurred in such a strange way, they're getting preferential treatment.

EVERY LOST, MISSING, OR KIDNAPPED CHILD DESERVES THIS KIND OF SEARCH AND PUBLICITY!!!

If it were OUR child, we would probably be held as accessories to the kidnapping because we enabled the SOB by leavng the child alone.

We wouldn't have govenment officials falling all over us to help find our child.

We'd be sitting in jail for child neglect, endangerment, and a host of other crimes.

No disrespect intended. JMHO

:rose: FIND MADDIE!! :rose:

[samanthajane13]

22.07.07

The parents of missing Madeleine McCann have been the victims of a Portuguese smear campaign over their decision to leave their three children alone in their holiday apartment.

According to reports, a whispering campaign has begun in Portugal accusing Gerry and Kate McCann of neglect after they left the toddler and her twin brother and sister in the apartment at the resort at Praia da Luz on May 3.

The campaign is being fuelled by activity on internet chatrooms and in the Portuguese press, the Sunday Express claims.

The couple had been dining at a tapas restaurant with friends on the night Madeleine disappeared and were taking turns to leave the table to check on their children.

The Sunday Express said the couple have been "outraged" by the complaints and had taken legal advice.

The McCanns' spokeswoman, Justine McGuinness, said: "If they could turn back time there are things that they might have done differently, with the benefit of hindsight.

"But it is impossible to say whether, had there been an adult in the apartment at the time of the abduction, it would have stopped a predator."

Madeleine's father is due to arrive in America today for a four-day visit to learn about the work of specialist agencies who help prevent child abductions and sexual abuse, as well as legislation that has strengthened U.S. laws against child sex offenders.

"After visiting the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre in London, I wanted to understand better the work that is being carried out across the world to reduce child abductions," he said.

"I am going to the USA to meet experts at both the National and International Centres for Missing and Exploited Children.

"We want to work closely with the police and child welfare agencies in maintaining the profile of Madeleine's and other children's disappearance."

The latest exercise in keeping four-year-old Madeleine's face in hearts and minds is related to the latest Harry Potter book. Her poster is being displayed at booksellers in more than 200 countries alongside the final instalment of the boy wizard's adventures, Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows.

However, thousands of yellow ribbons tied to a war memorial in Madeleine's home village as a symbol of hope are going to be removed.

Her great-uncle Brian Kennedy said the railings around the memorial in Rothley, Leicestershire, would be stripped of ribbons by August 1.

He added: "We are not giving up the search but we think the time has come to move on a bit."


++++++++++++++++++

I am by no means saying that they deserved to lose Maddie, or that Maddie deserved to be kidnapped, but how can you leave children alone ANYWHERE these days-let alone in a foreign country-to go to dinner??

I'm sure they wouldn't leave their kids alone at home, and run to the corner store for a loaf of bread, let alone take turns checking on them while they sit in a restaurant.

They'd have hired a SITTER!!

[samanthajane13]

Jul 23 2007
by David Bartlett, Liverpool Daily Post


THE Liverpool grandmother of missing toddler Madeleine McCann last night told of the family’s anguish over reports her daughter could face charges for leaving their three children alone.

Susan Healy, of Mossley Hill, said Kate and Gerry McCann found claims an inquiry into whether they should be charged for leaving their children alone on the night Madeleine vanished was being set up as “very upsetting”.

It was reported that Crown Prosecution Service lawyers were having “high level informal discussions” to see whether any offence had been committed.

The CPS was said to have had complaints from members of the public about the McCanns’ conduct in leaving Madeleine and two-year-old twins Sean and Amelie while they had a meal. Gerry and Kate McCann have said they checked on the children regularly while having dinner at a nearby Tapas bar, on the night the four-year-old was snatched from a holiday apartment in the Algarve resort of Praia da Luz.

The report said lawyers were keen to establish why the parents did not leave anyone to babysit despite the resort offering free child care.

But a spokesman from the CPS yesterday said there was no truth in the reports, as the search for Madeleine reached its 80th day.

Mrs Healy said: “It’s just so stupid, we don’t know why they printed it. Obviously it’s upsetting for Kate and Gerry to read stuff like that.”

Meanwhile, pressure is mounting for a Europe-wide database of missing children.

North West Euro MP, and Labour leader in the European Parliament Gary Titley has written to EU Justice Commissioner Franco Frattini seeking figures for the number of children who are seized in the EU every year, often for sexual exploitation.

Gerry McCann was also due in the USA to learn about specialist agencies which work to prevent child abductions.

He is scheduled to meet US Attorney General Alberto Gonzales.

++++++++++++++++++

Welcome to the real world-where people are held accountable for their actions.

Money, privilege and friends can't take away the fact that the McCanns made a HUGE mistake.

It's just so very sad that Maddie had to be taken.

:rose: FIND MADDIE!!! :rose:

[samanthajane13]

"Would it be possible to keep this thread for prayers and news updates? "

I'm not trying to antagonize here-the last thing I want is a fight over this or anything else.

The articles I've been posting ARE news updates.

Yes-I did add my opinion at the end of some of the articles, but I didn't realize that was a problem.

Also-some of the articles themselves are critical of the McCanns' actions. Would you rather have only the news that supports the McCanns or ALL the news?

When I've searched out other article for this thread, people thanked me.

Just tell me what types of articles you want, and if I'm allowed to voice my opinion.

Sometimes, we're faced with sharing ALL the facts-not just the ones we like or the popular ones that make everyone happy. I had to apply the same rule to myself when I posted on the Chris Benoit thread. I posted anything I could find-GOOD or BAD-because both sides deserved to be heard-even when the truth broke my heart or I got a tongue lashing for my thoughts.

Anything less is censorship.

JMHO

[samanthajane13]

Jayelles-

It seems that we posted over-lapping messages, and I didn't see yours until I'd written and posted mine.

I DO PRAY FOR MADDIE-EVERY NIGHT. And I'll continue to do so.

I hope they catch the person or persons who did this horrible thing, and I pray to God that Maddie is still alive and she's returned to her family.

To make everyone happy, I won't be posting on the Maddie boards anymore.

[Mishell1383]

Jayelles-

It seems that we posted over-lapping messages, and I didn't see yours until I'd written and posted mine.

I DO PRAY FOR MADDIE-EVERY NIGHT. And I'll continue to do so.

I hope they catch the person or persons who did this horrible thing, and I pray to God that Maddie is still alive and she's returned to her family.

To make everyone happy, I won't be posting on the Maddie boards anymore.
I like your updates, they keep me updated. and I think (not to speak for jayelles) But maybe it was the opinions after the News updates that were harsh?

[Jayelles]

Jayelles-

It seems that we posted over-lapping messages, and I didn't see yours until I'd written and posted mine.

I DO PRAY FOR MADDIE-EVERY NIGHT. And I'll continue to do so.

I hope they catch the person or persons who did this horrible thing, and I pray to God that Maddie is still alive and she's returned to her family.

To make everyone happy, I won't be posting on the Maddie boards anymore.

Well that certainly wouldn't make me happy - I'm sure others will feel the same. No-one is asking you to sop posting at all. I appreciate the news updates which are about case developments. Why don't you start another thread in this forum to express any negative opinions which you may have about the parents and we can keep this one for those of us who want to follow developments without criticising the parents?

This is the only thread I've found which has been free from criticism of the parents and I know there are others who follow this thread because of that. However I am more than willing to go with the majority flow.

[Jayelles]

I like your updates, they keep me updated. and I think (not to speak for jayelles) But maybe it was the opinions after the News updates that were harsh?

Yes Mishell - that was all. This thread has been unique in the respect that there has been no harsh criticism of the family.

[elvislives]

Hi Samanthajane,

I certainly hope you will continue to post here and keep all of us updated on the Maddie news. I come to this forum primarily to check out this thread since this story has fallen off the radar screen where I live. I am sure there are many others who appreciate your updates too, so please stick around.

I think there is a lot of sensitivity here at CL at criticism towards Maddie's parents since most of us here are Victims Advocates and the McCanns are certainly victims of a horrific crime.

I think it is also important to note that there are some cultural differences here too. I see you are from NY, and being American it is hammered into our heads on a daily basis that children are vulnerable. We have Amber Alerts, Jessica's Law, Three Strikes Laws (Polly's Law), and the ever-present John Walsh to remind us daily of the horrors of child predators. Most responsible American parents would never leave their children unattended.

But the rest of the world is different. We recently had an incident here where a European mother was issued a citation for leaving her infant unattended in a stroller parked outside a clothing store while she shopped inside. The weather was beautiful and the baby was sleeping so in HER mind (which has not been impacted with daily child abduction stories) this was a perfectly reasonable choice. Local moms thought this was horrible. But she was an intelligent, responsible and articulate woman who just had a different outlook (a naive one by American standards) on child safety.

Keep in mind that John Walsh's wife left Adam unattended in an arcade while she shopped nearby. At that time (1970s FLorida) that was not considered at all neglegent.

So I think its important to remember that the McCanns made a decision that they thought was okay (remember that hiring an unknown sitter in a foreign country carries its own risks and the baby listening service would not have made a difference). And Maddie apparently was targeted by a predator so he could easily have waited to snatch her at any moment when her parents turned their backs.

Anyway I hope you don't feel you are being attacked for being critical of the parents. Clearly the McCanns made mistakes like we all do but the criminal in this case is the monster who snatched Madeliene, not her parents. And many of us parents have the feeling that "There by the grace of God go I"...

Again I sincerely hope you will not desert this thread as I really appreciate your input. EL

[sharlock]

By MaltaMedia News
Jul 25, 2007 - 4:37:52 PM


Malta is on the front line again in the case of missing Madeleine McCann. Detectives are in fact pursuing a new theory that the four-year-old may have been smuggled out of Portugal on a boat. International newspapers are now focusing on the possibility that the case might indeed have a connection with Malta.

The suspect was seen rushing towards the seafront in the Algarve holiday resort of Praia da Luz.

On Saturday, the newspaper told how a witness saw a man dashing past the tiny Nossa Senhora church in Praia da Luz on the day Maddie was kidnapped. Police are treating this sighting as "significant" thus conolidating the theory of the kidnapper's escape by sea.

The police followed reports last month that a girl resembling Madeleine was seen being taken on to the yacht of a wealthy Arab family in Malta, The Daily Express said.

Meanwhile, The National Alledger reported that a young girl who looked like Madeleine McCann was reportedly spotted on a yacht earlier in the search for the young girl.

"At the time several people contacted the police to report the sightings. Some were so convinced that girl was Madeleine that they tried to approach the yacht but were blocked from getting near the yeacht by security guards," it said.

The National Alledger questions whether the yacht made it to Malta and why the boat was never searched by the authorities.

This infuriates me when a sighting is made whether legit or not, however it is not checked out presumably because of the welath of the people involved. It should be that the police will follow any leads and check out any story wthin reason without concerning themselves with the reaction of those who would have had their boat boarded and searched. If they are innocent this could have been quickly shown and any illfeelings should have been pushed aside for the sake of the family desperately searching for thier loved child.
It is for the same reason I disagree with the point of view taken with the following article.

Last updated at 15:54pm on 25th July 2007

A mother who scolded her tantrum-throwing daughter in a shop was outraged to be visited at home by police who told her it was inappropriate to reprimand the girl in the light of Madeleine McCann's disappearance.

Ruth Ball was at home when police officers knocked at her door and and ticked her off about the way she had chastised four-year-old Leigha.

The 24-year-old was told that the method she had used to reprimand Leigha was "inappropriate" in the light of Madeleine's disappearance from her family's holiday apartment in Portugal.

Ms Ball was at a newsagent in Dunstable, Bedfordshire, when Leigha started screaming after being refused sweets.

She swept her daughter out of the shop and put her in the car to calm down, standing a couple of feet away with her three-year-old son Jack.

A few minutes later she got into the car and drove the family home, thinking no more of it.

The following day a policeman visited her at her home in Luton to tell her off.

The officer said it was inadvisable to shout at her daughter and shut her in the car after what happened to missing Madeleine.

Ms Ball, who works as a care assistant, said: "I'm deeply sorry for what has happened to Madeleine, but why should I let my daughter get away with things because she was abducted?

"I am trying to raise two decent human beings, even though I have been advised by the police to let them run riot, turn into thugs and help keep the prison population going when they're older.

"Kids learn young. If they learn now that kicking, hitting and screaming gets what they want, what are they going to do when they're adults?"

Ms Ball added that she was shocked that somebody had taken down her numberplate and called police - but even more shocked that officers had visited her at home.

Ms Ball said: "Even the police officer said he didn't see the point in him being here. He had to come and show his face and tell me not to tell her off."

The force has been involved in various scandals and gaffes, including three in the space of a fortnight in May last year.

First, an elderly farmer was seized by armed police and thrown in a cell after - quite legally - firing a warning shot at a dog that was threatening his lambs.

Then it emerged four police officers had resigned after giving remand prisoners special favours - including sexual liaisons with girlfriends - in exchange for false confessions.

Days later, the force was criticised when a private school headmaster was found dead shortly after officers sent letters to parents asking if they had any 'concerns' about him. No arrest had been made at the time.

In 2004, a dangerous driving case collapsed at crown court because the arresting officer was teaching golf in Spain on a five-year career break.

A spokesman for Bedfordshire Police said: "We received a call from a member of the public concerned for the safety of a young girl she had seen being put into a car.

"We attended the address of the owner and it transpired that the child, who was happy with no injuries, had been put in the car after having a tantrum.

"If Ms Ball is concerned with what happened or what was said, she is very welcome to contact us."

+++++++++++++++++++++++++

Now we can't discipline our kids just becuase some sick SOB has kidnapped Maddie??

It makes me wonder...if OUR child were kidnapped, would we have the international spotlight on our child's case??

I doubt it. I think that because Maddie's parents were both doctors, and the kidnapping occurred in such a strange way, they're getting preferential treatment.

EVERY LOST, MISSING, OR KIDNAPPED CHILD DESERVES THIS KIND OF SEARCH AND PUBLICITY!!!

If it were OUR child, we would probably be held as accessories to the kidnapping because we enabled the SOB by leavng the child alone.

We wouldn't have govenment officials falling all over us to help find our child.

We'd be sitting in jail for child neglect, endangerment, and a host of other crimes.

No disrespect intended. JMHO

:rose: FIND MADDIE!! :rose:

I do not agree with the police giving thier own handy hints on raising a chid to this mother! However it was not unreasonable for a member of the public who apparently hadn't wtnessed the whole incident just the young girl being placed in a car apparently under duress calling the police with her concern. I commend this person 100% too many people talk themselves out of reporting anything like this to police but it is that attitude that helps the paedophiles and abductors get away with what they do. If I had been approached by the police in regards to the same kind of incident I would have told them to keep thier ideas on childraising to themselves but I would not have been upset that they actually took the time to check up on MY child and make sure she was not being abducted. I imagine that a real abduction of a little girl would appear very similar to what this person who rang the police witnessed that day and if it had been a real crime being perpetrated; this person could very well have ben responsible for saving her!

[Mishell1383]

This infuriates me when a sighting is made whether legit or not, however it is not checked out presumably because of the welath of the people involved. It should be that the police will follow any leads and check out any story wthin reason without concerning themselves with the reaction of those who would have had their boat boarded and searched. If they are innocent this could have been quickly shown and any illfeelings should have been pushed aside for the sake of the family desperately searching for thier loved child.
It is for the same reason I disagree with the point of view taken with the following article.



I do not agree with the police giving thier own handy hints on raising a chid to this mother! However it was not unreasonable for a member of the public who apparently hadn't wtnessed the whole incident just the young girl being placed in a car apparently under duress calling the police with her concern. I commend this person 100% too many people talk themselves out of reporting anything like this to police but it is that attitude that helps the paedophiles and abductors get away with what they do. If I had been approached by the police in regards to the same kind of incident I would have told them to keep thier ideas on childraising to themselves but I would not have been upset that they actually took the time to check up on MY child and make sure she was not being abducted. I imagine that a real abduction of a little girl would appear very similar to what this person who rang the police witnessed that day and if it had been a real crime being perpetrated; this person could very well have ben responsible for saving her!
I agree with you 1123120981042%! And couldn't have said it better myself! :seeya:

[Jayelles]

I went into the local bookshop yesterday to see if the JK Rowling poster was on display and it wasn't.

:shrug:

[FDInLaw]

Heartbreaking! With all the news coverage this case has received it so frustrating that no real answers have been found yet! What adorable pictures. . . thank you to those that posted them. It's important to keep Maddy's face attached to this story. . . a precious little one is missing.

God speed to the investigators and prayers for the family ~ FD

http://z.about.com/d/gardening/1/7/Z/A/Shahzad_Rose8.jpg

[FDInLaw]

Maddie’s blood 'found in flat'
Monday, August 6, 2007
metro.co.uk

Traces of Madeleine McCann's blood have been discovered in the flat where she was last seen, according to Portuguese police sources today.

It's been reported that attempts were made to wipe away any signs of the blood.
There's now a growing belief among the police in Portugal that the four-year-old girl may not be found alive.

The newspaper Jornal De Noticias reported: 'This evidence locates Madeleine's death inside the apartment, but the investigators are still not certain it was murder, despite the fact that somebody did try to erase the blood traces.

'The theory most favoured by detectives to explain Maddy's death – now taken as almost certain – is that it involved an accident. ...........

http://www.metro.co.uk/news/article.html?in_article_id=60254&in_page_id=34
This is not a good sign at all. . . poor Maddy!

With how long this is dragging out, and now with the parents under suspicion. . . I sure hope this doesn't turn into the next JonBenet Ramsey saga! Praying an explanation will be found soon. :rose:

[sharlock]

McCanns pressured over Madeleine speculation


Friday Aug 10 10:00 AEST
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/img/world/1008_mccanns_g.jpg

The parents of missing British infant Madeleine McCann are weathering a public backlash following revelations that their daughter's blood may have been spilt in their apartment, fuelling suspicions they were involved in her death.

Kate and Gerry McCann have also come under surveillance from authorities, with Portuguese police intercepting their emails and bugging their phones. The heightened pressure has forced the couple to withdraw their other children — two-year-old twins Sean and Amelie — from a neighbourhood creche to avoid resurgent media attention.

RELATED LINKS

'I didn't feel I was taking a risk' (http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=285319)
Image search: Madeleine McCann (http://search.live.com/images/results.aspx?q=%22Madeleine%20McCann%22%20pics%20-guardian%20-blog%20-blogspot&FORM=AE&adlt=strict)

A friend of the McCanns, Rachel Oldfield, said police even appeared to be leaking information to the local press that implicated the dining companions of Madeleine's parents in the rumours.

It is very hurtful and all rather ludicrous," she told News Limited.
"They are throwing mud at us and we are not able to defend ourselves — it does not help to find Madeleine.
"I think there are some leaks coming from the police but a lot of what we have read recently has been completely untrue."
Portuguese police have gone public in recent days with claims that there discrepancies in the stories provided to police by the McCanns and their colleagues. Francisco Pagarete, lawyer of sole suspect Robert Murat, upset the McCanns when he said he thought it "strange" that parents would leave their children alone in a foreign country.
Mr and Mrs McCann left their three children asleep in their apartment on May 3 while they ate with friends at a nearby tapas restaurant.
The couple have strongly defended their judgment that it was safe to leave their children alone.


I don't beleive that her parents had anything to do with their daughters dissapperance but this is the latest in Australian news.

[Jayelles]

Hi folks. I just got back from holiday in the Mediterranean and Madeleine's poster was EVERYWHERE - shops, all over the airports, hotels, bars... We bought out newspapers ever day but although they were British newspapers, they were published locally and all the advertisements etc were local. Anyway, every single day there was a quarter page advertisement looking for information about Madeleine.

People were constantly asking if there was news when they saw anyone reading a newspaper - the case is very uppermost in people's minds.

There was a lengthy article in one of the papers last week describing how Gerry and Kate are dealing with this very differently. Gerry is full of nervous energy and throwing himself into the campaign which he wants to develop for ALL missing children and Kate is simply getting lower and lower. She withdraws into herself and when anyone suggests returning to the UK, she just shakes her head and says "I'm not leaving without Madeleine". I would be the same.

It says in today's papers that the Portugese police have issued a statement saying that although they believe Maddy may be dead, the parents are NOT suspects.

[Sharon]

I hope that Madeleine is found, as do everyone else here.

The circumstances of her disapperance leave a lot of unanswered questions. I personally dont think the parents are involved at all. And I hope this does not become another cold case. It is interesting that a child can be taken so easily and with no evidence left behind, but this would not be the first time this has happened. :rose:

[elvislives]

Madeleine McCann's siblings told she is missing
By Richard Edwards in Praia da Luz
Last Updated: 6:08pm BST 17/08/2007



The parents of Madeleine McCann have finally told their twins that their older sister is missing and promised them “mummy and daddy are looking for her”.

Madeleine McCann assumed dead
Full coverage: Search for Madeleine McCann


Kate and Gerry McCann read some of the letters of support that have lifted them


Kate and Gerry McCann have taken regular advice from child psychologists to dampen the trauma of the past 15 weeks for their two-and-a-half year old son and daughter, Sean and Amelie.

Having originally told them that Madeleine had gone on a “short holiday”, Mr and Mrs McCann have told them the devastating truth.

A family friend said yesterday: “They told them Madeleine is missing and mummy and daddy are looking for her.

“The twins understand the concept of “missing”, like a favourite toy they cannot find, but they know this is more serious because it is their sister.

“They miss her very much. They had a very close relationship with Madeleine and were so excited on this trip to be sleeping in the same room as her.

“Kate and Gerry are careful not to upset them, and that is why they have taken advice on what language to use and how to approach such a delicate and traumatic issue.

advertisement“They are open and there is no pretence.”

Mr and Mrs McCann revealed this week that they have considered for the first time the prospect of returning to Britain - and said their decision was being shaped by considering the welfare of their children.

They have extended the rent on a small villa they are hiring until mid-September and will take a further decision then.

In an interview earlier this week Mrs McCann said: “We know we will be going back and I guess one day we will wake up and it will be right. We never thought that we would go before Madeleine came back. Now we just don’t know. We have the twins to consider. I can’t imagine how we came out as a family of five and going back as a four.”

The family have come under intense pressure from the Portuguese media, who pointed the finger of suspicion at the parents in the past fortnight.

Local papparazzi now camp on their doorstep and follow their every move. Mrs McCann said she felt “trapped” by the “aggressive and intrusive” approach, and part of the reason she was so upset was because it disrupted the routine of the twins.

Mr McCann said: “We always have to consider the twins. They are happy. But there was a period when it was very very difficult to function. It was not right, we almost felt we had to be couped up somewhere.

“The decision to go home will come at some point when we are ready and it will be for the right reasons - our welfare, our family’s welfare.”

The child psychologists who are advising the McCanns are experts at working with children under five, focusing on their future wellbeing. They have travelled to Portugal and spent time with the family and the twins and told Mr an Mrs McCann it is important to be open with the children and to try to keep a regular daily routine.

They are dropped off at a Mark Warner creche for “Kids’ Club” each day and rejoin their parents at 12.30 for lunch, spending the rest of the afternoon with them.

The family friend said: “Of course they are only two-and-a-half, so its hard to know how much they can grasp the gravity of what has happened.

“But they are doing very well, learning new words all the time.”

Mrs McCann has told how she is often caught off guard by their remarks. She said: “When we went back to the UK for a family baptism there was an empty seat on the plane and Sean said 'That’s Madeleine’s seat’. That caught me.

“It was a very emotional day. Amelie asked me afterwards 'Where’s Madeleine? I miss my sister’. It catches me.”

[elvislives]

Madeleine McCann assumed dead
By Richard Edwards in Praia da Luz
Last Updated: 2:05am BST 17/08/2007



Portugal's most senior police officer has confirmed that they are now working on the assumption that Madeleine McCann is dead.

Full coverage: Search for Madeleine McCann


Kate and Gerry McCann read some of the letters of support that have lifted them


Alipio Ribeiro, the national director of the Policia Judiciaria, said the "strongest hypothesis" was that the four-year-old, who has been missing for 15 weeks, was no longer alive but added that his officers were still a "long way" from solving the case.

A sniffer dog was said to have picked up the scent of a body inside the apartment where Madeleine disappeared and it was believed that detectives were holding back a "key clue" that had led them to the conclusion.

Previously they had always insisted that unless there was evidence to the contrary, they would work on the basis that Madeleine was still alive.

Her parents, Kate and Gerry, have been kept in the dark about developments and are still demanding to see what has caused the shift in the investigation.

Mr Ribeiro, who denied that the parents had ever been suspects, said: "This is a very dynamic investigation. We cannot explain everything to them that we are doing."

After three months of silence from Portuguese police, senior officials, including spokesman Olegario Sousa, have been authorised to give a series of interviews, all of which confirmed they believed Madeleine was probably dead.

advertisement
Tests were continuing on blood specks found on the walls of the apartment and other forensics, although police have always played down their likely outcome and significance. Reports yesterday claimed that the blood was not that of Madeleine, although sources at the Forensic Science Service in Birmingham said that the results were not known.

British forensic experts were still examining evidence gathered in a British-led review of the case but Mr Ribeiro said there was no sign of where it would lead them. He said the motive behind Madeleine's disappearance remained a mystery.

"We are trying to clear up a difficult situation, above all in relation to the motive," he said. "It could have been for money, for revenge, for hate. We don't know."

Asked about the search for the girl, he added: "We have no idea where Madeleine could be."

The comments confirmed the worst fears of Mr and Mrs McCann, who told friends they needed an end to the ordeal, but believed the investigation was back to "square one". A spokesman said that until they were presented with concrete evidence to the contrary, they would continue to believe that Madeleine was still alive.

Mr Ribeiro also confirmed that there were contradictions in the witness statements of three British couples and a woman who were on holiday with the McCanns.

"The contradictions, in themselves, are worth little," he said. "We have to see what their relevance is."

It is believed the friends may be re-interviewed.

As The Daily Telegraph reported earlier this week, police have exhausted all leads and are still no closer to finding Madeleine.

Robert Murat, the only formal suspect questioned in the case, has been ruled out.

However Mr Ribeiro said: "I am optimistic because I believe we will end up understanding everything that happened.

"We recognise the expectation is low. It is not easy. There is a long way yet to go and it would be frivolous of me to say we are near the end."

He criticised officers who had leaked false information to Portuguese newspapers.

He said: "The police should be discreet but there is always someone who talks. Sometimes it is someone who knows nothing and just wants to be a protagonist.

"If I denied everything erroneous that had been published, I would have no time for anything else."

[TuscanDreams]

Odette, you rock for all of the updates.

When I viewed the youtube link that is posted above, I cried like a baby.

My gosh, how in the world could someone harm a little girl? I certainly don't excuse this, but I can see how a young parent becomes frustrated and slaps their child. That is so far reaching from murdering a strangers child....

What is going on in this case? It is starting to remind me of Aruba, "Just send the tourism dollars, forget someone is missing." :flamemad:

[HildaC]

Poor child & parents. I wish they would find her.

[Jayelles]

It said in yesterday's papers that they'd had some kind of breakthrough and that it would be announced this week - but the newspaper added that claims like this had been made before and hadn't come to fruition.

There was also an article saying that some Portugese journalist was claiming to have seen the preliminary summary of the DNA testing and that the DNA wasn't Madeleine's. The lab were asked about this but would only express surprise at anyone claiming to have this information at this stage.

[Jayelles]

From the BBC website:-

The papers are full of speculation about the next step in the hunt for missing four-year-old Madeleine McCann.

The Daily Mirror claims new search warrants have been signed and all Algarve detectives put on standby.

The Daily Mail says a new suspect is under surveillance in Britain, while the Daily Express says the suspect is expected to be arrested soon.

The Daily Telegraph claims a new line of inquiry will see police carry out a series of searches in the next 48 hours.



http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6954418.stm

[Jayelles]

Remember the little girl who was spotted in the cafe in Belgium - where the drink was tested for DNA?

Well here she is:-

http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2005320001-2007380541,00.html

[Jayelles]

Madeleine's parents have been advised to stay in the Algarve as an investigation breakthrough is imminent (but police have emphasised that the parents are NOT suspects).

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=476923&in_page_id=1770&ct=5

[elvislives]

Quote:
Detectives leading the investigation into the disappearance of Madeleine McCann are focusing on the theory she suffered an accidental death in the apartment on the night she disappeared, it has emerged

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/08/22/nmaddy122.xml



Very interesting developments. I have heard speculation that the suspect is one of the McCann's friends (another Brittish doctor) who continually left the dinner table that evening to check on his own sick daughter. But the McCanns insist this cannot be the case.

Whatever Maddie's fate, I hope they find out what happened to her for her parent's sake. It must be agony not knowing if she is dead or alive :(

[Mishell1383]

You guys don't think the parents had anything to do with this do you?

Oh man I hope not.

[Jayelles]

You guys don't think the parents had anything to do with this do you?

Oh man I hope not.

Not at all Mishell.

[TuscanDreams]

It is now understood that the direction of the inquiry changed a month ago, when a key piece of evidence emerged, which has not been disclosed.

A senior police source said: "They say that abduction is no longer the main lead and that accidental death is the strongest theory they are working on.

"They are awaiting test results on forensics from inside the apartment but even without them, they say they have another lead which points to Madeleine's death.

"It could me a murder or it could be an accident, and at the moment they are leaning towards the latter. ...

Are the parents a focus now?

[One2Snoop]

Are the parents a focus now?

It seems to get more confusing by the day. One day its the parents, the next day it isn't. Another day its an intruder the next day it isn't. I guess it all depends on whose doing the reporting it seems. :confused:

I just hope they find out what happened to Madeleine one way or another. :rose:

[One2Snoop]

In pictures, the 120 metre route to check on Madeleine

Last updated at 12:21pm on 10th August 2007

These new photographs show the route the McCanns had to take to check on Madeleine on the night she disappeared.

It takes about a minute to walk from the tapas bar at the Ocean Club, where Kate and Gerry McCann were dining with friends, to the apartment from which their daughter vanished almost 100 days ago.

The pictures show the McCanns had to walk about 120 metres to get to the apartment where their children slept. .....

continued: In pictures, the 120 metre route to check on Madeleine (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/worldnews.html?in_article_id=474428&in_page_id=1811)

Click on "enlarge" for the top photo.

I agree FDInLaw. The pictures certainly paint a different story. I can't help but wonder why they didn't get a babysitter or hire a nanny?

[Jayelles]

Just posted - a sensible timeline and theory:-

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/worldnews.html?in_article_id=477430&in_page_id=1811&ct=5

[Mishell1383]

"Matthew Oldfield offered to check for them at 9.30pm.

But instead of entering the bedroom, it is understood he listened at the door, heard nothing and assumed everything was fine. In fact, Madeleine had almost certainly been snatched by then.
Fifteen minutes earlier, at 9.15pm, a friend of the McCanns, Jane Tanner, who had gone to check on her children, saw a man walking away from the Ocean Club resort carrying a small child. Ms Tanner later described the pyjamas the girl was wearing - matching the description of those worn by Madeleine on the night. Mr Oldfield's failure to check inside the bedroom may have cost vital time in the search for the little girl. "

Imagine the guilt this man and woman are feeling!! I couldn't even imagine!

[elvislives]

You guys don't think the parents had anything to do with this do you?

Oh man I hope not.

There has certainly been a lot of speculation that, but I don't believe it for a second. And not because I think "a parent couldn't do that" but because there is NO evidence to support that theory imo.

[elvislives]

Just posted - a sensible timeline and theory:-

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/worldnews.html?in_article_id=477430&in_page_id=1811&ct=5

Sounds like they're back to square one as I recall this was the theory from the start. I guess all the rumor and innuendo about Maddie being killed in the apartment is just gossip...

[FDInLaw]

It seems to get more confusing by the day. One day its the parents, the next day it isn't. Another day its an intruder the next day it isn't. I guess it all depends on whose doing the reporting it seems. :confused:

I just hope they find out what happened to Madeleine one way or another. :rose:

I'm with you. . . I feel like we are watching a ping pong match! :(

Praying that Maddy is found soon!

[Devotion]

Detectives 'now believe Madeleine died by accident'

This Is London
London, Thursday 23.08.07

Portuguese detectives now favour the theory that Madeleine McCann died in a tragic accident in the family's holiday apartment, it has emerged.

The three senior officers leading the inquiry are all but certain she died on the night she vanished.

They are 'leaning towards' the conclusion that she was not intentionally killed, according to police sources.

continued: Detectives 'now believe Madeleine died by accident' (http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/article-23409463-details/Detectives%20'now%20believe%20Madeleine%20died%20b y%20accident'/article.do)

:rose: Could that answer the question as to WHY they didn't get a free babysitter?...it does make alot of sense in this mystery...JMO..moo

[TuscanDreams]

NOW PARENTS ARE ACCUSED OF KILLING MADELEINE WITH DRUG OVERDOSE

DAILY EXPRESS
By Martin Evans in Praia de Luz

Saturday August 25,2007

THE parents of Madeleine McCann were furious last night after a Portuguese magazine accused them of killing their daughter.

Gerry McCann exploded with rage after the front-page report declared: “Policia Judiciaria believe parents killed Maddie.”

According to the news magazine, detectives are now “almost absolutely certain” that Kate and Gerry killed Madeleine by giving her an accidental overdose of sedatives to help her sleep. ...

continued: NOW PARENTS ARE ACCUSED OF KILLING MADELEINE WITH DRUG OVERDOSE (http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/17271/Now-parents-are-accused-of-killing-Madeleine-with-drug-overdose)

I just don't know what to think about this. My question is this: If the parents killed Maddie, where's the body? They haven't left the island since she went missing. :shrug:

[TuscanDreams]

Do you think the parents could be involved?

ETA: Thank you Odette for these awesome updates.

[TuscanDreams]

Ouch, I'm really starting to wonder about the parents, based on the comments that people wrote in the Sunday Express- from the link in the post directly above this one.

Some of Dr. Gerry's patients think he is guilty. That's harsh.

I can't get over this- where is the body if the parents killed her? :shrug:

[FDInLaw]

Ouch, I'm really starting to wonder about the parents, based on the comments that people wrote in the Sunday Express- from the link in the post directly above this one.

Some of Dr. Gerry's patients think he is guilty. That's harsh.

I can't get over this- where is the body if the parents killed her? :shrug:
I have the same question! Where is the body? If this is a case of accidental death/cover-up, imagine being in a foreign country and doing something like this at the spur of the moment! Not an easy task to pull off. From watching a number videos I can say that I do not like the McCanns much and there are things that they have said and done that are odd to me but as of yet I'm not 100% sure they are responsible. Yet there seems to be a number of folks over on the CTV board that are convinced they are. There are two sides to this. LE is under INTERNATIONAL SCRUTINY, one has to keep that in mind too. There is an enormous amount of pressure on them to find answers. Guess what I'm trying to say is that I am waiting for more hard evidence before coming to a conclusion about the McCanns.

[TuscanDreams]

I have the same question! Where is the body? If this is a case of accidental death/cover-up, imagine being in a foreign country and doing something like this at the spur of the moment! Not an easy task to pull off. From watching a number videos I can say that I do not like the McCanns much and there are things that they have said and done that are odd to me but as of yet I'm not 100% sure they are responsible. Yet there seems to be a number of folks over on the CTV board that are convinced they are. There are two sides to this. LE is under INTERNATIONAL SCRUTINY, one has to keep that in mind too. There is an enormous amount of pressure on them to find answers. Guess what I'm trying to say is that I am waiting for more hard evidence before coming to a conclusion about the McCanns.

Spot on, I couldn't agree more. I want to hear more evidence before I point to them as the perpetrators.

[odette]

I have the same question! Where is the body? If this is a case of accidental death/cover-up, imagine being in a foreign country and doing something like this at the spur of the moment! Not an easy task to pull off. From watching a number videos I can say that I do not like the McCanns much and there are things that they have said and done that are odd to me but as of yet I'm not 100% sure they are responsible. Yet there seems to be a number of folks over on the CTV board that are convinced they are. There are two sides to this. LE is under INTERNATIONAL SCRUTINY, one has to keep that in mind too. There is an enormous amount of pressure on them to find answers. Guess what I'm trying to say is that I am waiting for more hard evidence before coming to a conclusion about the McCanns.

I'm like you FD, I'm waiting for more hard evidence. In the beginning I thought no way, no how, could the parents be involved in their daughter's disappearance but now I'm not so sure. I have been following a couple of big forums in the UK, which are discussing the Madeleine case, and the majority of the posters are ruthless in their scathing attacks against Madeleines parents, Gerry and Kate McCann.

jmho

[TuscanDreams]

I'm like you FD, I'm waiting for more hard evidence. In the beginning I thought no way, no how, could the parents be involved in their daughter's disappearance but now I'm not so sure. I have been following a couple of big forums in the UK, which are discussing the Madeleine case, and the majority of the posters are ruthless in their scathing attacks against Madeleines parents, Gerry and Kate McCann.

jmho

Would you please post the links to the UK forums? I found one and I was shocked, I'd have thought that the support for Maddie's parents would be 99% in favor of, yet I was surprised that it seed 50 50.

[FDInLaw]

I'm like you FD, I'm waiting for more hard evidence. In the beginning I thought no way, no how, could the parents be involved in their daughter's disappearance but now I'm not so sure. I have been following a couple of big forums in the UK, which are discussing the Madeleine case, and the majority of the posters are ruthless in their scathing attacks against Madeleines parents, Gerry and Kate McCann.

jmho
Saying that some dog smelled "corpse" on their keys is just not enough. In court this could easily be disputed. Without a body the sedative overdose theory is just that, a theory. With no eye witnesses, LE must find Maddie's body if in fact she is dead and if any of there suspicions are correct. As far as I'm concerned, the abduction theory should not be thrown out the window just yet. Personally, the more I follow the case the more annoying I find Maddie's parents, but just because they are annoying does not make them guilty. IMO LE has hit a brick wall and they are grasping at straws. Dead or alive, Maddie must be found if there is going to be true closure. MOO

[FDInLaw]

Would you please post the links to the UK forums? I found one and I was shocked, I'd have thought that the support for Maddie's parents would be 99% in favor of, yet I was surprised that it seed 50 50.

The strong "the parents did it" sentiment is keeping me off another forum. . . there is an intensity that I don't view as warranted quiet yet. I'm just not up for dealing with all that emotion right now.

I really appreciate all the updates post here!

:seeya:

[TuscanDreams]

Saying that some dog smelled "corpse" on their keys is just not enough. In court this could easily be disputed. Without a body the sedative overdose theory is just that, a theory. With no eye witnesses, LE must find Maddie's body if in fact she is dead and if any of there suspicions are correct. As far as I'm concerned, the abduction theory should not be thrown out the window just yet. Personally, the more I follow the case the more annoying I find Maddie's parents, but just because they are annoying does not make them guilty. IMO LE has hit a brick wall and they are grasping at straws. Dead or alive, Maddie must be found if there is going to be true closure. MOO

I have a real problem with a dog detecting a corpse on a set of keys, for a couple of reasons.
1. The keys are metal, I assume and metal doesn't hold scents to my knowledge.
2. Keys are kept in a pocket, a purse, etc. Any scent should have been eradicated, I'd have thought.

Until Maddie is found, the abduction theory should be considered, I agree. If this little girl was killed near the resort, the police should have found some type of evidence besides, metal keys! JMO

[FDInLaw]

I have a real problem with a dog detecting a corpse on a set of keys, for a couple of reasons.
1. The keys are metal, I assume and metal doesn't hold scents to my knowledge.
2. Keys are kept in a pocket, a purse, etc. Any scent should have been eradicated, I'd have thought.

Until Maddie is found, the abduction theory should be considered, I agree. If this little girl was killed near the resort, the police should have found some type of evidence besides, metal keys! JMOWe're on the same page for sure!

I'm liking our little group here. :hat: As of yet there are no nasty arguments!

[One2Snoop]

I'm waiting too. In cases like these we've seen over and over how people jump the gun and assume its the parents. I understand they are suspect but to try and convict them in the media and on message boards with no tangible proof is not something I'm willing to partake in. IMO, JMO.

[One2Snoop]

I have a real problem with a dog detecting a corpse on a set of keys, for a couple of reasons.
1. The keys are metal, I assume and metal doesn't hold scents to my knowledge.
2. Keys are kept in a pocket, a purse, etc. Any scent should have been eradicated, I'd have thought.

Until Maddie is found, the abduction theory should be considered, I agree. If this little girl was killed near the resort, the police should have found some type of evidence besides, metal keys! JMO

That's really interesting. I never knew that. I know I have a link around somewhere that talks about cadaver dogs. I'll see if I can locate the info.

[FDInLaw]

I'm waiting too. In cases like these we've seen over and over how people jump the gun and assume its the parents. I understand they are suspect but to try and convict them in the media and on message boards with no tangible proof is not something I'm willing to partake in. IMO, JMO.

Beautifully stated! :beer:

[One2Snoop]

So according to this latest article isn't doesn't appear LE is pointing fingers at the parents but this other man, Robert Murat? :confused:

Taken from linked story above...

While detectives have been reluctant to reveal exactly what they discovered, it is believed that along with two tiny specks of blood found in the McCanns’ apartment there were six other samples of key evidence.

The breakthrough was made when a team of British detectives with highly trained sniffer dogs re-examined locations in Praia da Luz. Among these were the McCanns’ apartment at the Ocean Club and vehicles belonging to them, their friends and Robert Murat, the only official suspect in the case.

[odette]

So according to this latest article isn't doesn't appear LE is pointing fingers at the parents but this other man, Robert Murat? :confused:

Taken from linked story above...

While detectives have been reluctant to reveal exactly what they discovered, it is believed that along with two tiny specks of blood found in the McCanns’ apartment there were six other samples of key evidence.

The breakthrough was made when a team of British detectives with highly trained sniffer dogs re-examined locations in Praia da Luz. Among these were the McCanns’ apartment at the Ocean Club and vehicles belonging to them, their friends and Robert Murat, the only official suspect in the case.

Regarding the DAILY EXPRESS/MADELEINE: NEW SETBACK OVER CRUCIAL DNA EVIDENCE, article link which I posted last night; I now get the following message when I go to that link??.

ARTICLE MISSING
The article you are looking for does not exist. It may have been deleted.

Obviously you were able to read the article as well 02S so I don't know why I can't access it today.

[docwho3]

I too am trying not to jump to conclusions. Whether guilty or innocent I believe that until actual evidence is found that points to the parents they should be treated publicly as victims. At least that way we avoid harming possibly innocent people and maybe later having to eat our words. We would never be able to undo the damage done after the fact. If evidence comes forth that indicates the parents there will be time enough then to jump on it.

I really appreaciate the balanced posts and approach in this forum.

[FDInLaw]

So according to this latest article isn't doesn't appear LE is pointing fingers at the parents but this other man, Robert Murat? :confused:

Taken from linked story above...

While detectives have been reluctant to reveal exactly what they discovered, it is believed that along with two tiny specks of blood found in the McCanns’ apartment there were six other samples of key evidence.

The breakthrough was made when a team of British detectives with highly trained sniffer dogs re-examined locations in Praia da Luz. Among these were the McCanns’ apartment at the Ocean Club and vehicles belonging to them, their friends and Robert Murat, the only official suspect in the case.
Huh! :confused:

[FDInLaw]

I too am trying not to jump to conclusions. Whether guilty or innocent I believe that until actual evidence is found that points to the parents they should be treated publicly as victims. At least that way we avoid harming possibly innocent people and maybe later having to eat our words. We would never be able to undo the damage done after the fact. If evidence comes forth that indicates the parents there will be time enough then to jump on it.

I really appreaciate the balanced posts and approach in this forum. ITA! :beer: Welcome to the thread. . . stick around! :)

[odette]

So according to this latest article isn't doesn't appear LE is pointing fingers at the parents but this other man, Robert Murat? :confused:

Taken from linked story above...

While detectives have been reluctant to reveal exactly what they discovered, it is believed that along with two tiny specks of blood found in the McCanns’ apartment there were six other samples of key evidence.

The breakthrough was made when a team of British detectives with highly trained sniffer dogs re-examined locations in Praia da Luz. Among these were the McCanns’ apartment at the Ocean Club and vehicles belonging to them, their friends and Robert Murat, the only official suspect in the case.

O2, Here is a little of the back ground regarding Mr Murat from an earlier article.

The forgotten victim in the McCann case

Our columnist on the disgraceful hounding of Robert Murat

From The Times
Matthew Parris

August 25, 2007

Do you have a mother? Have you ever shared a house with her? Might you have dealt with anyone a couple of years past his teens who (for all you know) could have boasted to someone else about seducing an underage girl? Might you be separated from a spouse and conduct another affair? Might you love your daughter? Might you have a cellar in your house? Might you assist local efforts to trace a missing child?

Well watch out, because if any toddler should go missing anywhere near you, and you were to be (not unreasonably) questioned by police, the British press could have had you hanged, drawn and quartered by Monday. ...

continued: The forgotten victim in the McCann case (http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/matthew_parris/article2324200.ece)

[FDInLaw]

O2, Here is a little of the back ground regarding Mr Murat from an earlier article.

The forgotten victim in the McCann case

Our columnist on the disgraceful hounding of Robert Murat

From The Times
Matthew Parris

August 25, 2007

Do you have a mother? Have you ever shared a house with her? Might you have dealt with anyone a couple of years past his teens who (for all you know) could have boasted to someone else about seducing an underage girl? Might you be separated from a spouse and conduct another affair? Might you love your daughter? Might you have a cellar in your house? Might you assist local efforts to trace a missing child?

Well watch out, because if any toddler should go missing anywhere near you, and you were to be (not unreasonably) questioned by police, the British press could have had you hanged, drawn and quartered by Monday. ...

continued: The forgotten victim in the McCann case (http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/matthew_parris/article2324200.ece)
Great article, thanks for posting it! At this point I have no clue as to whether or not Murat is involved with Maddie's disappearance. This article serves as a great word of caution though.

[odette]

Great article, thanks for posting it! At this point I have no clue as to whether or not Murat is involved with Maddie's disappearance. This article serves as a great word of caution though.

Thank you FD and yes I agree! :)

Most of the press have reported that Robert Murat is expected to be cleared soon, for example ..

Daily Mail ~ Last updated at 11:56am on 16th August 2007

"The only 'arguido' in the case so far has been Briton Robert Murat, who is expected to be cleared soon."

Daily Mail Article (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=475687&in_page_id=1770)

Very good article here explaining a little about what the word 'arguido' actually means.

Q&A: Suspect and Portuguese law

BBC

Wednesday, 16 May 2007

excerpt
"How was arguido status given to Robert Murat and what does it mean?

Under Portuguese law either the police or a person being questioned can request that they be formally named as a suspect, a process called arguido." .....

continued: Q&A: Suspect and Portuguese law (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/6657977.stm)

imo

[TuscanDreams]

I'm not sure how I'd act if I were in PR and my daughter was missing and I as accused of her abduction/murder. I don't blame the Dad for storming off of the set, I'd do the same thing.

It's odd, but I just don't think the parents did this, yet, I'm finding myself blaming them for leaving their little girl alone.

[One2Snoop]

O2, Here is a little of the back ground regarding Mr Murat from an earlier article.

The forgotten victim in the McCann case

Our columnist on the disgraceful hounding of Robert Murat

From The Times
Matthew Parris

August 25, 2007

Do you have a mother? Have you ever shared a house with her? Might you have dealt with anyone a couple of years past his teens who (for all you know) could have boasted to someone else about seducing an underage girl? Might you be separated from a spouse and conduct another affair? Might you love your daughter? Might you have a cellar in your house? Might you assist local efforts to trace a missing child?

Well watch out, because if any toddler should go missing anywhere near you, and you were to be (not unreasonably) questioned by police, the British press could have had you hanged, drawn and quartered by Monday. ...

continued: The forgotten victim in the McCann case (http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/matthew_parris/article2324200.ece)

Thanks Odette. :seeya: Interesting article. Since they haven't found anything linking Murat I wonder who they're focusing on regarding the DNA?
Like I said before, the news seems to be all over the map on this case. I hope for the families sake they find something soon. :read:

For Maddie and her parents. :rose:

[FDInLaw]

Thanks Odette. :seeya: Interesting article. Since they haven't found anything linking Murat I wonder who they're focusing on regarding the DNA?
Like I said before, the news seems to be all over the map on this case. I hope for the families sake they find something soon. :read:

For Maddie and her parents. :rose:All over the map is right! :( Praying Maddie is found soon. :rose:

[dallasvic]

All over the map is right! Praying Maddie is found soon. :rose:

Hi FDInLaw,

You asked what I thought about this case now when you sent me that postive rep. This TRULY a Very Sad Case. This has to be VERY VERY hard for the family. I can not even phathom how they are ablre to deal with this for so long and to have hope that this dear child is still alive:shrug: !!!
:rose: My Heart&Prayers Are Always With Maddie&Family:rose:

[Jayelles]

I'm not sure how I'd act if I were in PR and my daughter was missing and I as accused of her abduction/murder. I don't blame the Dad for storming off of the set, I'd do the same thing.

It's odd, but I just don't think the parents did this, yet, I'm finding myself blaming them for leaving their little girl alone.

I would urge everyone to read the entire content of the article on Gerry McCann "storming off" because it's one of these highly misleading tabloid-ish headlines. It could just as easily been "TV presenter asks one forbidden question after another until Gerry McCann could take no more"

The fact is, that under Portugese law, McCann's are bound to silence about the investigation. They could actually be prosecuted for discussing the investigation. This was made very clear before they agreed to this Spanish interview - yet the interviewer proceeded to ask them one question after another about the investigation. Gerry replied politely to the first few - reiterating that they cannot answer questions about the investigation, but the interviewer pushed on and one continuing to ask questions which the McCanns could not answer:-

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=477940&in_page_id=1770

[TuscanDreams]

I would urge everyone to read the entire content of the article on Gerry McCann "storming off" because it's one of these highly misleading tabloid-ish headlines. It could just as easily been "TV presenter asks one forbidden question after another until Gerry McCann could take no more"

The fact is, that under Portugese law, McCann's are bound to silence about the investigation. They could actually be prosecuted for discussing the investigation. This was made very clear before they agreed to this Spanish interview - yet the interviewer proceeded to ask them one question after another about the investigation. Gerry replied politely to the first few - reiterating that they cannot answer questions about the investigation, but the interviewer pushed on and one continuing to ask questions which the McCanns could not answer:-

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=477940&in_page_id=1770

Thank you for that info. I don't blame Gerry McCann for leaving that set.

I waiver back and forth and I've finally come to the conclusion that I dont' think the parents could have done this- because they haven't left the island and Maddie's body hasn't been found.

[DigitalDreamKat]

This case just gets curiousier and curiousier.

I am appalled to read, if it's true, that Madeleine's parents were giving their children sedatives to help them sleep. If you then add leaving their children alone, when there was a free baby sitting service, plus that they couldn't really see their apartment from the Tapas bar (established with the maps), it adds up to some kind of neglect, IMHO.

I don't think that the McCanns killed their daughter, if they have, they should have become actors, not doctors :) I do think they know more than they are saying though.

Not very insightful, I know, but I'm not sure how much I can post without getting off topic.

Thanks for all the links Odette, it has been extremely interesting reading.

ETA: There is just far too much of he said, she said, they said in this case. It really makes you go, hmmm, doesn't it?

[docwho3]

. . .In the latest slur against Kate and Gerry McCann, the hypodermic needle was allegedly found in a cupboard at the apartment where their daughter vanished.

According to reports in the Portuguese press, police are examining the theory that the needle could have been used by Madeleine’s parents – both doctors – to administer sedatives to their children to help them sleep.

Hurtful and unfounded rumours in the Portuguese media claim that detectives are convinced the couple accidentally killed four-year-old Madeleine by giving her an overdose of sedatives.

Last night a spokeswoman for the couple angrily denied the latest slurs and insisted that the McCanns had never sedated their children. ...

continued: 'SYRINGE FOUND IN MADELEINE'S APARTMENT' (http://www2.dailyexpress.co.uk/posts/view/17693/-Syringe-found-in-Madeleine-s-apartment-)
I admit I do have troubles believing that 2 trained doctors, one of whom is a trained anesthetist, could stupidly accidently kill their daughter because of dosing mistakes. I also have a problem believing that although they were smart enough to become doctors they were stupid enough to leave a syringe laying around to be later found by L.E. if they had anything to do with their daughters disappearance. If they had been guilty of being involved in a criminal way one would think they had time to get rid of the syringe along with getting rid of the daughter. If they had been guilty of being involved in a criminal way the finding her missing would have been a staged affair and of course they would already have gotten rid of any syringe that could possibly point to them. It isn't like that part would be rocket science.

To me some things just are not yet adding up correctly to point to the parents even if other things do appear to possibly indicate their involvement.

Not declaring the parents innocent but just stating that some things do not yet add up to guilt for me at this point.

I can think of a way to account for the syringe apart from the parents but I want to not say it at this point. I want to wait and see how this case goes a bit more first.

[DigitalDreamKat]

The one thing that absolutely screams at me every time I go back through the news articles is the fact that the McCanns did not get a baby sitter when the service was free. I completely fail to understand this. I would never do this. Whenever my DH and I have gone away on holiday and haven taken our DD, we always pay for a baby sitter if we wish to go out for the evening, and we don't have the money that the McCanns do. So even if there was a pay service, there is simply no excuse for this lack.

Let me, for a minute, relate a personal experience. My DH, DD and I were in Europe for a few weeks. One afternoon, my DH and I decided we wanted a coffee, our DD, who is six, said she wanted to say in the room, playing on the laptop. As we were only going to be gone for about 15 minutes, we left her there, telling her exactly where we going to be (in the coffee shop in the hotel lobby, which was an open area), we locked her in (she could get out, but no-one could get in). Not two minutes passed, before we saw her in the lobby, crying her eyes out because she felt lonely and scared.

So how is this relevant? I was just wondering how a four year old would feel if she woke up in the night in a strange room, without her parents there? My six year old freaked out in broad daylight and she knew exactly where we had gone and where to find us! The minute she got scared, she left the room to look for us. Now I wonder if Madeleine did the same thing? Did she leave the apartment in an attempt to find her parents?

Just speculating.

As a side note, we were in Europe about a week after the Maddy incident. It was not as widely reported as the English media has let people believe. Sure, it was on all the English cable news channels every day, but not on the local ones. The first poster I saw was at the airport in Venice, three weeks after Maddy went missing. I didn't even see any Maddy posters in the shops when I was in Lisbon, Portugal five weeks later. More things to make you go hmmm.

Sorry if I rambled. If Maddy is still alive, my heart just breaks for her and how terrified she must be :rose:

[docwho3]

The one thing that absolutely screams at me every time I go back through the news articles is the fact that the McCanns did not get a baby sitter when the service was free. . .
I have read that for many it was sort of a part of the culture and not considered necessary in all cases. However, in light of this one case I think that culture may well change to adapt to a new and different sort of world.

And to be fair we do not know for certain that having a sitter there would have prevented this crime. I remember a well known case of a serial killer who kidnapped a young boy and young girl after he had killed all the adults in the house. He then took the children into a remote wooded area and tortured the children until the boy died. He was caught when he took the girl into a store and she was recognized. So if an intruder did the crime I suppose a sitter might well have been found dead for all we know. Maybe a sitter would have been a help and maybe not. I certainly understand that feeling of wishing they had gotten a sitter for that night and if they are innocent of foul play in this case I bet the parents are also wishing they had done differently.

If this was a case of the doctors abusing drugs themselves, as doctors are known to do way too often, and the little girl having gotten hold of a loaded syringe and injected herself, with what would be an overdose for her small body, as she had seen parents do then a sitter would likely have prevented such a tragedy. The problem is I have seen no evidence reported to support such a scenario and so for myself I wish to treat the parents as victims until I know something that indicates foul play on their part.

[TuscanDreams]

The babysitting service is free, but you get what you pay for...IMO. I'd never have left my kids alone in another country, but I'd also never let someone I didn't know extremely well, watching my kids. Taking into consideration how many kids are molested every year, I'd have issues letting a stranger watch my child.

I don't buy into the syringe theory at all. I think PR wants the parents to leave and are planting stories to get them enraged enough to go.

And DDK- I think you may have hit the jackpot- maybe Maddie went to find her parents that evening!

[FDInLaw]

The babysitting service is free, but you get what you pay for...IMO. I'd never have left my kids alone in another country, but I'd also never let someone I didn't know extremely well, watching my kids. Taking into consideration how many kids are molested every year, I'd have issues letting a stranger watch my child.

I don't buy into the syringe theory at all. I think PR wants the parents to leave and are planting stories to get them enraged enough to go.

And DDK- I think you may have hit the jackpot- maybe Maddie went to find her parents that evening!
Excellent post! Even though the baby sitting service was free, I would not have used it do to the very issue you mentioned. Like you, we don't leave our kids with anyone that we do not know well.

[FDInLaw]

I have read that for many it was sort of a part of the culture and not considered necessary in all cases. However, in light of this one case I think that culture may well change to adapt to a new and different sort of world.

And to be fair we do not know for certain that having a sitter there would have prevented this crime. I remember a well known case of a serial killer who kidnapped a young boy and young girl after he had killed all the adults in the house. He then took the children into a remote wooded area and tortured the children until the boy died. He was caught when he took the girl into a store and she was recognized. So if an intruder did the crime I suppose a sitter might well have been found dead for all we know. Maybe a sitter would have been a help and maybe not. I certainly understand that feeling of wishing they had gotten a sitter for that night and if they are innocent of foul play in this case I bet the parents are also wishing they had done differently.

If this was a case of the doctors abusing drugs themselves, as doctors are known to do way too often, and the little girl having gotten hold of a loaded syringe and injected herself, with what would be an overdose for her small body, as she had seen parents do then a sitter would likely have prevented such a tragedy. The problem is I have seen no evidence reported to support such a scenario and so for myself I wish to treat the parents as victims until I know something that indicates foul play on their part.
You have a point, but IMO Maddie's abduction (if this is what has occurred) probably would not have happened if there was a sitter. Consider the statistics (of which I'm too lazy to look up), the classic snatch "when no one is looking" scenario is far more prevalent. Most abductions do not involve the death of an adult.

[FDInLaw]

The one thing that absolutely screams at me every time I go back through the news articles is the fact that the McCanns did not get a baby sitter when the service was free. I completely fail to understand this. I would never do this. Whenever my DH and I have gone away on holiday and haven taken our DD, we always pay for a baby sitter if we wish to go out for the evening, and we don't have the money that the McCanns do. So even if there was a pay service, there is simply no excuse for this lack.

Let me, for a minute, relate a personal experience. My DH, DD and I were in Europe for a few weeks. One afternoon, my DH and I decided we wanted a coffee, our DD, who is six, said she wanted to say in the room, playing on the laptop. As we were only going to be gone for about 15 minutes, we left her there, telling her exactly where we going to be (in the coffee shop in the hotel lobby, which was an open area), we locked her in (she could get out, but no-one could get in). Not two minutes passed, before we saw her in the lobby, crying her eyes out because she felt lonely and scared.

So how is this relevant? I was just wondering how a four year old would feel if she woke up in the night in a strange room, without her parents there? My six year old freaked out in broad daylight and she knew exactly where we had gone and where to find us! The minute she got scared, she left the room to look for us. Now I wonder if Madeleine did the same thing? Did she leave the apartment in an attempt to find her parents?

Just speculating.

As a side note, we were in Europe about a week after the Maddy incident. It was not as widely reported as the English media has let people believe. Sure, it was on all the English cable news channels every day, but not on the local ones. The first poster I saw was at the airport in Venice, three weeks after Maddy went missing. I didn't even see any Maddy posters in the shops when I was in Lisbon, Portugal five weeks later. More things to make you go hmmm.

Sorry if I rambled. If Maddy is still alive, my heart just breaks for her and how terrified she must be :rose:
Reading your experience brought one of my own to mind. Years ago our family lived in Europe. During that time we attended a retreat for Christian English teachers. A rural penzion was rented for the group in a small village. The penzion had five sections and our group rented four of them. There were no other businesses around, no busy road etc. This little penzion was surrounded by small farms. At the time we had an infant and a 2 1/2 year old. While the oldest was taking a nap we decided that it was silly for one of us to just sit there so we decided to take turns checking on her. We also informed the girls in the room below us, and they were going to let us know if she woke up. Well, the inevitable occurred, one of us went back to check on her and she was not there. Soon we had the whole group looking for her and I was out of my mind with fright. Our daughter had got up, went past several apartments and went down to the one that was not rented by our group. We found her there planning cards with an older woman that did not speak English. The lady was tickled pink that some cutie little thing had wondered in. We learned a valuable lesson and thankfully our little one was safe.

It's funny how different children are. Your six year old was frightened to be left alone but ours, though considerably younger, seemed to enjoy the opportunity to sneak off! :) I wonder what sort of child Maddie is?

[FDInLaw]

I would urge everyone to read the entire content of the article on Gerry McCann "storming off" because it's one of these highly misleading tabloid-ish headlines. It could just as easily been "TV presenter asks one forbidden question after another until Gerry McCann could take no more"

The fact is, that under Portugese law, McCann's are bound to silence about the investigation. They could actually be prosecuted for discussing the investigation. This was made very clear before they agreed to this Spanish interview - yet the interviewer proceeded to ask them one question after another about the investigation. Gerry replied politely to the first few - reiterating that they cannot answer questions about the investigation, but the interviewer pushed on and one continuing to ask questions which the McCanns could not answer:-

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=477940&in_page_id=1770 This goes along with what you stated above, Gerry's own words:
Day 118 - 29/08/2007

"Relatively quiet day. Kate and I did one interview in the morning for a newspaper- that I managed to finish, probably because the journalist stuck to questions that I am allowed to give answers to!"

http://www.findmadeleine.com/

[One2Snoop]

Portuguese police appear to have hit a wall in the investigation, with sources claiming they are waiting for forensic results before making their next move.

For all authorities know, this could be very old blood - something that was missed when the apartment was cleaned prior to the McCann's renting it.
It may lead them nowhere.

As for leaving your kids alone, I stated a few pages back that I didn't understand that either but some people/countries have a different mindset when it comes to leaving their children for a short period of time. I don't want to go off the subject here but wanted to post an example of this.
Do any of you remember the situation, I think it was in NY where a woman (foreigner) left her baby strapped in the stroller while she went into a NY cafe?

I'm not sure if this is the right case but its a good example of different cultures.....

snip~
In 1997, a couple left their baby in her stroller outside Dallas BBQ on Second Avenue in the East Village. The mother, a Danish woman, would go on and on about how babies are left in strollers outside restaurants all the time as an excuse, but it turned out the husband was from New York, which makes that excuse pretty flimsy.
~snip

There's another example in the article at this link...

http://gothamist.com/2004/08/30/nyc_to_parents_watch_your_baby.php

[DigitalDreamKat]

While I did leave my DD alone in our room for a short period and she's not usually one to get scared being on her own, so it must have been the idea of being in a foreign country, I would never have left her alone in her stroller outside a cafe.

I understand completely the different mindset of different cultures, but I doubt that would apply to the English mindset, having known quite a few English people in my time. Their culture on this sort of thing doesn't differ much from yours, USA, or ours, Australia.

I'm not sure why all involved are so convinced that Maddie was abducted from the actual apartment. Not that it necessarily makes a great deal if difference, or does it, but she could have been abducted away from the apartment, while she was looking for her parents. I don't know why this avenue hasn't been explored, or maybe it has? It's hard to know, the reports just getting more sensational, don't they?

ETA: On the point of sniffer dogs, specifically the cadaver dogs. If those dogs are anything like the dogs you get at the international airport terminals, they would easily be able to smell a cadaver weeks later. When we were in San Francisco (yes, we have travelled a bit over the last few years :)), they brought in the sniffer dogs for fruit, one dog wouldn't leave a particular piece of my hand luggage alone. It turned out, she could smell the apple I had kept in there about a week earlier! Now that luggage being hand luggage had, in the meantime, a lot of different things in there and had been well handled. So if this dog could smell old fruit, I think a cadaver dog could smell those sort of scents.

[Results]

Odette, as always, great job on these articles and keeping us up to date on this case. IMO you are the best resource here on CL. Your dedication to many cases show your compassion for others. Just wanted to let you know that your hard work is appreciated and I for one sincerely thank you!

This case is difficult in so many ways. I have the parents on my POI list. One of the main reasons is the photographs that was provided of the lay out where the restraunt was to where the apt. was. That is a long way to keep 3 toddlers in a room all alone without supervision. Anything could happen and unfortunately something did happen. I don't know what happened and some evidence maybe pointing towards the parents but for just one moment lets forget about the adults in this picture and focus on the children. Three toddlers were left alone and one disappeared. Two toddlers remained and never woke up even after being moved to another apt. The parents not allowing urine samples on those 2 toddlers is more than likely what made the LE have a theory of maybe sedation. IMO they were doctors it could have helped them know if someone gave the twins something if an abductor did come in there and take Maddy. All around this case is totally sad and the question remains where is Madeleine? JMHO

[docwho3]

. . .I'm not sure why all involved are so convinced that Maddie was abducted from the actual apartment. Not that it necessarily makes a great deal if difference, or does it, but she could have been abducted away from the apartment, while she was looking for her parents. I don't know why this avenue hasn't been explored, or maybe it has? . . . I have seen the question debated elsewhere so I am sure it is being considered by the public and if the public is thinking of that possibility then I think it very likely that L.E. has also thought of it.

. . .It's hard to know, the reports just getting more sensational, don't they?. . . Yes indeed!

[docwho3]

The parents not allowing urine samples on those 2 toddlers is more than likely what made the LE have a theory of maybe sedation. . . Can anyone provide an MSM (Main Stream Media) news link to this fact? I have seen this mentioned on the internet in forums but not in links to source. I did a web search on the phrases "Madeleine McCann" and "urine sample" and on "Madeleine McCann" and "refused" and "Madeleine McCann" and "sample" and on "Madeleine McCann" and "urine" and on "Madeleine McCann" and "declined" and on "Madeleine McCann" and "sample" and on "Madeleine McCann" and "refused urine sample" and none of those turned up the news article. Perhaps it was worded in a way not using any of those terms. If this were a fact I would have thought it would have made a huge splash in the MSM news media. Why is it so hard to find?

[DigitalDreamKat]

Doc, interesting question.

I ran a search using the name Gerry McCann and then Kate McCann instead of Madeleine, and I threw the word twin in there, and I all I could find was message boards as well.

No news articles. The rumour mill appears to strike again. I hope that someone can enlighten those of us in the dark.

[TuscanDreams]

Can anyone provide an MSM (Main Stream Media) news link to this fact? I have seen this mentioned on the internet in forums but not in links to source. I did a web search on the phrases "Madeleine McCann" and "urine sample" and on "Madeleine McCann" and "refused" and "Madeleine McCann" and "sample" and on "Madeleine McCann" and "urine" and on "Madeleine McCann" and "declined" and on "Madeleine McCann" and "sample" and on "Madeleine McCann" and "refused urine sample" and none of those turned up the news article. Perhaps it was worded in a way not using any of those terms. If this were a fact I would have thought it would have made a huge splash in the MSM news media. Why is it so hard to find?

For what it's worth, I just searched the LexisNexus database and found nothing on the parents refusing to allow the twins to submit to a UA. I used every search term I could come up with and got this message each time:
No Documents Found.

Which tells me that either I didn't put in the appropriate search terms or the media made up the lie.

[TuscanDreams]

The Evening Standard (London)

August 24, 2007 Friday

The crucial 10 minutes Maddy was vulnerable
8.40pm Kate and Gerry McCann sit down to supper. They are the first to arrive

8.45pm Russell O'Brien, Matthew and Rachael Oldfield sit down to dinner

8.55pm David and Fiona Payne join the table, followed by Jane Tanner and Dianne Webster

9.05pm Gerry McCann checks on Madeleine and the twins

9.15pm Jane Tanner sees a man carrying a child walking away from the holiday complex

9.30pm Matthew Oldfield offers to check on Madeleine and the twins

10pm Kate McCann discovers her daughter missing

I can't understand how the parents could have harmed Madeline and then hid her body with this time line. It's impossible.

My thoughts are that the PR police are of the same caliber that we watched in Aruba.

[FDInLaw]

I can't understand how the parents could have harmed Madeline and then hid her body with this time line. It's impossible.

My thoughts are that the PR police are of the same caliber that we watched in Aruba.

The question is, when was the last time someone other than the McCanns saw Maddie? Did Matthew Oldfield see Maddie when he checked on her? If this was some sort of cover up by the parents, is it not probable that Maddie was moved BEFORE they went to dinner? Personally, I still lean toward the abduction theory. But do keep in mind that the parents had prior opportunity since this time line is based on when they saw her. JMO

[docwho3]

For what it's worth, I just searched the LexisNexus database and found nothing on the parents refusing to allow the twins to submit to a UA. I used every search term I could come up with and got this message each time:
No Documents Found.

Which tells me that either I didn't put in the appropriate search terms or the media made up the lie. Thanks, I was happy to learn I am not the only pserson with problems locating the source link for that.

[SallyG]

snip~
In 1997, a couple left their baby in her stroller outside Dallas BBQ on Second Avenue in the East Village. The mother, a Danish woman, would go on and on about how babies are left in strollers outside restaurants all the time as an excuse, but it turned out the husband was from New York, which makes that excuse pretty flimsy.
~snip



This is actually quite true. My oldest son is engaged to a girl from Denmark, and they made a visit there a few months ago so he could meet her family. It was his first time in Denmark, and it startled him to see strollers left in front of a business with sleeping infants inside. He was told by his fiancee that it was a common practice in that country. Apparently, the crime rate there is extremely low. Rathen than manuever the stroller or carriage inside, the sleeping child is left out front and the parent goes inside and attends to their business. There is no fear that the child will be taken. I find this amazing, but he assured me it was a normal practice over there.

Regardless, leaving children sleeping in a hotel room while stepping out for a bite to eat is the height of neglect. Even if there is no fear of intruders, there is ALWAYS the chance of fire! How many children have perished in a fire who were left sleeping while the parents stepped out for "just a minute"?

Obviously, the parents had gotten into the habit of leaving the children sleeping and going out to eat while on holiday. As the mother of 4 sons, I can well understand the desire for "adult" time and a quiet dinner with friends. That is the purpose of babysitters. I've seen the pictures of the layout of where the parents were and where the hotel room was....and believe you me, that is far too great a distance to leave small children sleeping unattended. And leaving the door UNLOCKED!!!

I have only one thought...WHAT WERE THOSE PARENTS THINKING!!!

One of the children could have awakened and, finding themselves alone, gone out of the apartment looking for their parents. A watchful intruder could have slipped in and kidnapped one of the children. A fire could have broken out in the apartment and killed the children before anyone could have gotten to them. One of the children could have fallen from the bed and severly injured themselves with no one around to help.

As a parent, all of these scenarios would have gone through my head if I had contemplated leaving my children sleeping, unattended, that distance away, while I dined with friends. No amount of persuation could have made me put my children at possible risk!

It does sound as though an intruder came in...most likely one who had been scoping out the situation for awhile. If the parents had been leaving the children sleeping at nights while they went out, they had established a pattern and given someone the perfect opportunity to kidnap one of the children. It was a family resort, you say? Even better. The perfect hunting ground for someone who wanted to snatch a child.

So we have a kidnapper who is in the vicinity of a family resort with lots of children, parents who are establishing a clear routine as far as leaving the children sleeping while they go out to eat, and a clear pattern of how often they are checking on them. Someone could have easily observed this routine while dining near them at the bar.

As far as being doctors, that does not automatically endow them with common sense. My ex-husband was a doctor...very intelligent and successful...without a lick of common sense. Never equate intelligence and success with common sense. They are two very different things!

While I understand the scenario of having dinner with colleagues while on holiday, leaving children unattended is risky business...in the best of circumstances. Either you put the children's welfare first and never leave them unattended no matter how safe it SEEMS, or you leave the children with relatives while you go on vacation.

The parents may very well be excellent and loving parents...but they had a false sense of security and they just didn't think! Unfortunately, their lapse in judgement will haunt them the rest of their lives.

[dallasvic]

Hi Everyone,

I love everyones theories. Great Ones! I go with the abduction myself. I think that her parents are having to pay the ultimate price for making a big mistake of leaving their children alone and I am sure they say to themselves every minute of every day if they had not left her alone she would be here right now with us.Having to wonder if she is dead or alive must be a tremendous burden on them also. They made a big MISTAKE, but I do not believe they killed her not even by accident.
Doctors and nurses have a practice they they repeat many many times a day. Giving a shot they break the needle off and depose of them in a special containers marked BIO material. This started after AID'S came out and another thing is doctors know how much of a drug to give kids based on age and weight. You hardly ever read about a doctor or nurse giving a patient to much of a drug to overdose unless them did it intensely and that is very rare too! They would have disposed of that syringe I am sure.
Odette,

I also want you to know that your determination is great in keeping up with this case. You are a TRUE POSTER love posting with you :seeya:
You are a dedicated an passionate poster.
http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/42973000/jpg/_42973063_madeleine2_afp203b.jpg BUMP~FOR~MADDIE
:rose: For Madeleine & Family:rose: When you leave here please stop by and light a candle for her

[TuscanDreams]

Dallasvic- great points on the syringe, the parents would not have left a syringe laying around that the other kids could stumble across. I base that on what you posted, as trained doctors would dispose of syringes in their sleep in a bio bin.

[dallasvic]

Dallasvic- great points on the syringe, the parents would not have left a syringe laying around that the other kids could stumble across. I base that on what you posted, as trained doctors would dispose of syringes in their sleep in a bio bin.

Thank You ,
I wanted to add that if they had done something to have cause her to over dose I am sure they would have gotten rid of the evidence don't you think ? Not leave it were cops would find it.:shrug:
:rose: For Maddie & Family:rose:
Please join me to lite a candle for Madddie tonight!:seeya:

[DigitalDreamKat]

The question is, when was the last time someone other than the McCanns saw Maddie? Did Matthew Oldfield see Maddie when he checked on her? If this was some sort of cover up by the parents, is it not probable that Maddie was moved BEFORE they went to dinner? Personally, I still lean toward the abduction theory. But do keep in mind that the parents had prior opportunity since this time line is based on when they saw her. JMO

ITA. Who knows if Matthew really even went to the apartment. He could have said he did and gone for a smoke or something.

Again, too much he said, she said, they said.

Also, the man that Tanner saw, how was he carrying the child? If he was even there? Is this a case of the infamous BHS? Maybe there was no man.

[dallasvic]

ITA. Who knows if Matthew really even went to the apartment. He could have said he did and gone for a smoke or something.

Again, too much he said, she said, they said.

Also, the man that Tanner saw, how was he carrying the child? If he was even there? Is this a case of the infamous BHS? Maybe there was no man.

Hi,
Great points. When some thing of this magnitude happens people start trying to remember and that is when selective memory comes in to play. Everyone want to help and they tend to get things messed up in the memory. At the time she went missing was it really the same time that the man was seen with a child , or is in selective memory that kicks in and they really are not sure so on and so on. Thats happens alto when someone id's a suspect.
We will all know once Maddie is found. I hope it is soon!!!!!!

[TuscanDreams]

I don't see how Maddie could be in PR. Where could this little angel be? Thoughts, please!

[DigitalDreamKat]

She could easily still be in PR, if she is still alive, because the huge amount of media hype is having a negative effect, IMO.

We know from experience that if something is constantly in your face, you just start tune out.

Also, up until a week or two ago, it was holiday time in Europe. I'm sure there were a lot of blond little girls running around. If you were there, would you be looking at every single one, trying to decide if it was Maddie or not? I'd venture to say, probably not.

[TuscanDreams]

She could easily still be in PR, if she is still alive, because the huge amount of media hype is having a negative effect, IMO.

We know from experience that if something is constantly in your face, you just start tune out.

Also, up until a week or two ago, it was holiday time in Europe. I'm sure there were a lot of blond little girls running around. If you were there, would you be looking at every single one, trying to decide if it was Maddie or not? I'd venture to say, probably not.

I've been thinking about your post. Perhaps Maddie's hair is now a different color and has been cut, if she's alive in PR. Think that's possible? :shrug:

[FDInLaw]

NEW SLURS PILE ON ANGUISH FOR WAITING PARENTS

DAILY EXPRESS
By Martin Evans and Padraic Flanagan in Praia da Luz
Tuesday September 4, 2007

THE anguished parents of missing Madeleine McCann faced a fresh onslaught of slurs yesterday. Friends believe Kate and Gerry McCann are the victims of a concerted sniping campaign to hound them out of Portugal.

It is feared they are being targeted because their continued presence in the country highlights the failure of the police to capture their daughter’s abductor.

A close friend said: “These slurs are part of a co-ordinated drive to force Kate and Gerry to leave and take the spotlight off the police investigation.” ...

continued: NEW SLURS PILE ON ANGUISH FOR WAITING PARENTS (http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/18145/New-slurs-pile-on-anguish-for-waiting-parents)
This may just be an early morning, I need another cup of coffee, reaction. . . but this article has really drummed up some sympathy in me for the McCanns. For one, attacking this couple for telling their twins that Maddie is missing is a bit much IMO. This is such a sad and heartbreaking situation all around.
:(

[DigitalDreamKat]

TD, I'd venture to say it's distinctly possible that Maddie's hair would be changed.

FD, I find it unbelievable that the McCanns have been attacked for telling the truth to their twins.

At this stage, the McCanns are damned if they do and damned if they don't.

The full blown media attention is seriously becoming counter productive.

[dallasvic]

TD, I'd venture to say it's distinctly possible that Maddie's hair would be changed.

FD, I find it unbelievable that the McCanns have been attacked for telling the truth to their twins.

At this stage, the McCanns are damned if they do and damned if they don't.

The full blown media attention is seriously becoming counter productive.

hi ddk,

this true the media can be use as a tool to fix or repair something, but here it was used as a double edge sword.the media in this case is slitting the mccanns throats to were they have feared for their lives. these parents have gone through enough with out this.they need to be left alone and the media needs to focus on the real picture.they need to be reminded this is a little girl missing and focus on getting all that info out there so the really abductor can be found.

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/42973000/jpg/_42973063_madeleine2_afp203b.jpg BUMP~FOR~MADDIE
:rose: For Madeleine & Family:rose: When you leave here please stop by and light a candle for her

[FDInLaw]

This makes at least the 2nd time now that we have read about "arrests to be made within days" and so I am waiting to see what happens.

Sure hope this is the real deal this time! :cool:

[TuscanDreams]

How much flippin' longer does teh world have to wait for news on Maddie? I'm not buying into the parents DNA being in the room- they slept there.

The Portugese police remind me of Aruban authorites.

[FDInLaw]

How much flippin' longer does teh world have to wait for news on Maddie? I'm not buying into the parents DNA being in the room- they slept there.

The Portugese police remind me of Aruban authorites. No kidding! This case is flippin' crazy! You have a good point about the DNA.

[Mishell1383]

I have a real problem with a dog detecting a corpse on a set of keys, for a couple of reasons.
1. The keys are metal, I assume and metal doesn't hold scents to my knowledge.
2. Keys are kept in a pocket, a purse, etc. Any scent should have been eradicated, I'd have thought.

Until Maddie is found, the abduction theory should be considered, I agree. If this little girl was killed near the resort, the police should have found some type of evidence besides, metal keys! JMO
Whatever happened to the blood splatter on the apartment wall? Are the twins old enough to talk? Have they seen something or heard anything that night? I definitly feel that something does not add up, I just don't know what... :shrug:

[Mishell1383]

I Cant Handle The Anticipation Anymore!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[dallasvic]

How much flippin' longer does teh world have to wait for news on Maddie? I'm not buying into the parents DNA being in the room- they slept there.

The Portugese police remind me of Aruban authorites.

Hi TD,

I know what you mean ! Theyjust seem to grasping at straws :confused:

[FDInLaw]

I Cant Handle The Anticipation Anymore!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Me neither!

------------------------------------------------>
<-----------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------>
<-----------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------>

When we gonna hear somethin' ? :(

[FDInLaw]

DNA tests produce vital result

DAILY EXPRESS
By Martin Evans and Padraic Flanagan in Praia da Luz
Thursday September 6, 2007

POLICE who are hunting for missing Madeleine McCann are expected to make an arrest in days.
The news comes after a long-awaited forensic breakthrough.

The results of DNA tests, which have taken a month to complete, were given to detectives in Portugal yesterday. They are understood to confirm police suspicions that Madeleine died in her parents’ holiday apartment.

But they are also expected to provide detectives with vital information about a new suspect they have been monitoring, allowing them to move in and make an arrest.

CONTINUED:
http://www.dailyexpress.co.uk/posts/view/18384
More from this article:

Last night police on the Algarve were understood to be ready to arrest a suspect identified weeks ago. A source close to the investigation said: “It has seemed to many people that the police have been doing very little but this is because they are not allowed to discuss the investigation.


“But they have been working on a hypothesis for some time now and have identified a new suspect.”


"New suspect." Any thoughts on who that might be?

[TuscanDreams]

I'm starting to think that there is never going to be an arrest and that the Portugese police are putting on a dog and pony show for the world to watch.

I'm with everyone else- I can't stand the anticipation! They've blamed the parents, the parents friends- so who is the new suspect? I don't trust those LE people to do the right thing and seek justice, I think they want to cover their butts by pretending to do something.

[One2Snoop]

How much flippin' longer does teh world have to wait for news on Maddie? I'm not buying into the parents DNA being in the room- they slept there.

The Portugese police remind me of Aruban authorites.

Ugghhhh! I don't think we want to go there! :seeya: LOL

[One2Snoop]

These samples were collected after the dogs pisteiros English will have signalled biological vestiges of blood and smell of corpse in clothes of Kate McCann.


Hmmmmm - If I'm reading this correctly this is scary for the parents.:eek: It could've also been a live scent of Maddie's. I sure hope this doesn't get twisted the wrong way.

[FDInLaw]

Hmmmmm - If I'm reading this correctly this is scary for the parents.:eek: It could've also been a live scent of Maddie's. I sure hope this doesn't get twisted the wrong way.No kidding! Look at this headline:

http://www.correiomanha.pt/noticia.asp?id=256833&idselect=20&idCanal=20&p=0

[One2Snoop]

No kidding! Look at this headline:

http://www.correiomanha.pt/noticia.asp?id=256833&idselect=20&idCanal=20&p=0

Ohhhhhhhhhhhh My! :eek:

[FDInLaw]

Ohhhhhhhhhhhh My! :eek:
The CTV forum is going nuts, well has been all day. Some of the folks over there have thought the worst of Maddie's parents all along. We'll see what happens in the next 48 hours. . . I'm still not sure what to think at this point. How well does the dog sniffing stuff hold up in court? Anyone know?

[One2Snoop]

The CTV forum is going nuts, well has been all day. Some of the folks over there have thought the worst of Maddie's parents all along. We'll see what happens in the next 48 hours. . . I'm still not sure what to think at this point. How well does the dog sniffing stuff hold up in court? Anyone know?

I don't know FD. Were talking the US vs Portugal. I'm thinking back to the Laci Peterson case and IIRC they didn't allow that testimony did they? I'd have to go look it up. Regardless, it irrelevant - I guess we need to find out exactly how things work there.

[DigitalDreamKat]

So, I spend the day away from my computer and all this happens.

This is just crazy. I wish they wouldn't do the 'arrest made within days' stuff. Either arrest the suspect, or shut up! :) IMHO

Haven't we done all of this already? Feels like I'm reading old headlines.

Thanks for the updates folks.

[TuscanDreams]

Thank you Odette for these updates!

One of the article stated that an arrest is to happen within 48 hours- which would be Saturday sometime, correct? I'll be watching the news, but I doubt it happens.

The ONLY way I can see that Maddie's parents are involved is if all of the friends they ate dinner with were involved as well.

The deal is that Portugal doesn't want it to appear that a random attack could occur, it's bad publicity. They'd much rather have the parents as the perpetrators, it "looks" better for them.

I want evidence that makes sense before I point to the parents.

[Mishell1383]

HOLY CANOLI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm not jumping to conclusions yet, but that headline with the cadaver dogs smelling a corpse on Kate's clothes.... EEEEK!:eek: Oh I hope not, I REALLY REALLY hope the parents aren't guilty.

[odette]

HOLY CANOLI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm not jumping to conclusions yet, but that headline with the cadaver dogs smelling a corpse on Kate's clothes.... EEEEK!:eek: Oh I hope not, I REALLY REALLY hope the parents aren't guilty.

Mishell .. I TRULY hope that the parent's aren't guilty as well.

[FDInLaw]

Thank you Odette for these updates!

One of the article stated that an arrest is to happen within 48 hours- which would be Saturday sometime, correct? I'll be watching the news, but I doubt it happens.

The ONLY way I can see that Maddie's parents are involved is if all of the friends they ate dinner with were involved as well.

The deal is that Portugal doesn't want it to appear that a random attack could occur, it's bad publicity. They'd much rather have the parents as the perpetrators, it "looks" better for them.

I want evidence that makes sense before I point to the parents. :beer: ITA with your last sentence. :seeya:

Odette, Did you get any sleep? LOOK AT ALL THESE UPDATES! Thanks a bunch! :hat:

[Mishell1383]

:beer: ITA with your last sentence. :seeya:

Odette, Did you get any sleep? LOOK AT ALL THESE UPDATES! Thanks a bunch! :hat:
LOL SERIOUSLY! THANKS ODETTE!!!! :beer:

[Mishell1383]

Imagine how p'oed the people that contributed money for the search of maddie are going to be if the parents are guilty. I mean hundreds of thousands of dollars were donated and the parents knew where she was the whole time... They are going to be the most hated couple in the world! of course ONLY if they are guilty. I'm not saying they are.

[FDInLaw]

Over on CTV a person posting from Portugal has stated that the news is saying that Gerry will be interviewed immediately after Kate. It's after 8:00 pm there and the original plan was for him to go in tomorrow. . . . I'm running back to the other board. . . :chicken:

[Mishell1383]

Over on CTV a person posting from Portugal has stated that the news is saying that Gerry will be interviewed immediately after Kate. It's after 8:00 pm there and the original plan was for him to go in tomorrow. . . . I'm running back to the other board. . . :chicken:
ooh ooh ooh keep us updated!!!!!

[One2Snoop]

It was discovered among fragments of forensic evidence taken from Kate and Gerry McCann's holiday flat and sent to the UK for analysis. Last night sources said Portuguese police were now expected to make new arrests within 48hours.

The DNA is said to have been found in an area of the Praia da Luz flat where the individual should not have been. ...


The DNA was found somewhere where someone shouldn't have been in the flat? :confused: Where the heck could that be? :shrug:

Sorry I read a bit further, they are talking about blood specks on the walls. I assume this is what they meant by DNA being found where it shouldn't be?

[FDInLaw]

The DNA was found somewhere where someone shouldn't have been in the flat? :confused: Where the heck could that be? :shrug:

Sorry I read a bit further, they are talking about blood specks on the walls. I assume this is what they meant by DNA being found where it shouldn't be?
Could they be talking about the second flat, the one the McCanns rented after Maddie's disappearance? :shrug:

[TuscanDreams]

Does anyone know if the McCann's are allowed to leave? I wonder if they are still in possession of their passports.

IF they have their passports, it's throws my little suspicion of them out of the window, because, the parents could have left the island if they killed their daughter.

Tracking dogs will pick up scents from clothing, I've seen my clients convicted from the same sort of evidence. But, I'm waiting for the 48 hours to see if anyone is really arrested.

[One2Snoop]

Could they be talking about the second flat, the one the McCanns rented after Maddie's disappearance? :shrug:

:read: I guess I should go back and read again. I thought they were referring to the first flat?
I should take notes LOL. :tongue:

[One2Snoop]

Does anyone know if the McCann's are allowed to leave? I wonder if they are still in possession of their passports.

IF they have their passports, it's throws my little suspicion of them out of the window, because, the parents could have left the island if they killed their daughter.

Tracking dogs will pick up scents from clothing, I've seen my clients convicted from the same sort of evidence. But, I'm waiting for the 48 hours to see if anyone is really arrested.

I was wondering the same thing about the passports. I'm not sure I've seen that info addressed. I need to go back and re-read some of the old articles anyway, so I'll see if it's mentioned.

[dallasvic]

The DNA was found somewhere where someone shouldn't have been in the flat? :confused: Where the heck could that be? :shrug:

Sorry I read a bit further, they are talking about blood specks on the walls. I assume this is what they meant by DNA being found where it shouldn't be?

Hi Everyone,

O2S that is the way it reads to me too!!! If Maddie was injured during the abduction , such as being hit hard to where her blood was transfered to the wall leaving the specks.That would make it a place her DNA should not have been:shrug:

[TuscanDreams]

Madeleine: They're trying to frame me, says mother after eight hour police interview

THIS IS LONDON
05.09.07

The mother of Madeleine McCann was dramatically reinterviewed by police yesterday - and is terrified they are trying to frame her.

Late last night Kate McCann was still being questioned at police headquarters in Portimao, 30 miles from Praia da Luz. ...

CONTINUED
http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/article-23411133-details/Police+interview+Madeleine%27s+mother+with+lawyer+ for+7+hours/article.do?ito=newsnow&


I'm just not buying the parents as guilty yet. Look at this photo I found of Kate, she's absolutely distraught. OK, can't figure out how to post the pics, here's the link. I almost believe that she is being framed and I'm a cynical person after working too many years in law enforcement.

http://www.exposay.com/kate-mccann-missing-british-3-year-old-girl-madeleine-mccann-in-portugal/p/10561/9/?f=Kate%20McCann
http://www.exposay.com/kate-mccann-missing-british-3-year-old-girl-madeleine-mccann-in-portugal/p/10561/9/?f=Kate%20McCann

[One2Snoop]

Does anyone know if the McCann's are allowed to leave? I wonder if they are still in possession of their passports.

IF they have their passports, it's throws my little suspicion of them out of the window, because, the parents could have left the island if they killed their daughter.

Tracking dogs will pick up scents from clothing, I've seen my clients convicted from the same sort of evidence. But, I'm waiting for the 48 hours to see if anyone is really arrested.

From reading this latest article that odette posted it doesn't appear their passports have been confiscated. This is what the article said...

The extraordinary development blows apart the couple's plans to return home to Rothley, Leicestershire, which they had been arranging to do this coming Sunday.

Now their departure is on hold while the latest drama unfolds.

[TuscanDreams]

From reading this latest article that odette posted it doesn't appear their passports have been confiscated. This is what the article said...

Thank you and thank Odette for posting the info.

As I see it, the parents were free to leave at any time and they chose to stay to search for their daughter. This leads me to conclude that they may be innocent as they claim- why stick around a crime scene, waiting to be arrested? I'm trying to think of a case similar to this where parents hung out at the crime scene and aside from the Ramsey's, none come to mind.

[One2Snoop]

The English dog that is specially trained to detect the odor of cadavers found a trace of death on Kate McCann’s clothes, as well as on the soft toy that the mother of Madeleine has carried since the first hour, which she took to the Vatican and presents as one of the child’s favorite toys. The dog’s work has been recorded on video and can be presented as evidence by the Policia Judiciaria.

I've been thinking more on this. You know how Kate carries around the pink stuffed animal that belongs to Maddie? Could this (death) scent be transferred to her clothing from that stuffed animal? :shrug:

[dallasvic]

Does anyone know if the McCann's are allowed to leave? I wonder if they are still in possession of their passports.

IF they have their passports, it's throws my little suspicion of them out of the window, because, the parents could have left the island if they killed their daughter.

Tracking dogs will pick up scents from clothing, I've seen my clients convicted from the same sort of evidence. But, I'm waiting for the 48 hours to see if anyone is really arrested.

Hi TD,

I am getting some weird vibes on the whole thing now. They were planning to leave a few days ago,so they had to have had their passports. What gets me now is that all the sudden they get the DNA results in and do not tell them. Now they are called in for interviews.
Another thing is weird is that in almost all the cases I have read or watched as the case unfolds once they DNA is in they arrest someone. They do not call the family in to interview them. Am I reading to much into this ? :shrug:
The only reason I can come up with on them interviewing them separate is to get them to roll over on each other. Which tells me they are suspects now.:eek: I really hope that is not the case. Help me out here what does everyone else think about all this ? Would love to know.

[Devotion]

I have translated this from a Portugese Newspaper .. Website link below and Free Translation Link .. enter each paragraph separately to be translated.

correiomanha

2007-09-06 - 01:15:00

Decisive results Confirmed DNA of Maddie

They flowed biological of Maddie were found by the laboratory of Birminghan in the samples sent pair her Judicial Police for England.

The CM knows that these vestiges – residues of not perceptible blood with the naked eye found in the apartment of the Oce-an Club and in the car rented by the McCann –
already are found in the possession of the PJ and should determine immediate developments of the case. The most important one should be a new questioning to the parents of Madeleine and to some of the friends of the couple that were found of vacation in the Algarve when the infant disappeared.

These developments based us results of the biological samples are today also reported by several newspapers English that aim for the achievement of detentions in the near 48 hours.
The most important samples, of the set of ten that were sent for England, should have been them collected in the apartment of the Mc-Cann in the Beach of the Light,

in private in the ground and in a cupboard in home where subsequently the

family was installed and in the car that rented after the girl have missing person.
These samples were collected after the dogs pisteiros English will have signalled biological vestiges of blood and smell of corpse in clothes of Kate McCann.

http://www.correiomanha.pt/noticia.asp?id=256823&idselect=21&idCanal=21&p=200

http://www.freetranslation.com/

:read: DID THE C. DOGS FIND M's SCENT IN THE CUPBOARD?...JMO

[Mishell1383]

Madeleine's parents 'fear being named as suspects'

Publisher: Jon Land
Published: 06/09/2007 - 17:20:28 PM

Madeleine McCann's parents fear Portuguese detectives are about to name them as suspects in their daughter's disappearance, a family friend said today.

Kate McCann returned to an Algarve police station this afternoon to undergo questioning for a second time, and her husband Gerry will be re-interviewed tomorrow. ...

CONTINUED
http://www.24dash.com/news/7/27209/index.htm
Are they feeling guilty??? hmmm...

[Mishell1383]

I just can't tell with them. Facial expressions or anything :shrug:

[One2Snoop]

Are they feeling guilty??? hmmm...

I know you must be questioning their guilt Mishell, but try to put yourself in their shoes. I think I'd be freaking out about now. They're in a foreign country with Laws that are diffent from their own.

I don't think the parents had anything to do with Maddies disappearance.
If you were Maddies parents and you had killed her and then hid the body, why report it? Why stay there? They've been free to leave for quite some time now, why haven't they left? I truely think they want Maddie back thats why.

I can't help but side with the parents on this one, I think they're being framed.

IMO, JMO
O2S

[Jayelles]

It has just been confirmed on the BBC news that Kate McCann will be given the status of "arguido" (suspect).

However, it is being emphasised that under Portuguese law, this is often done to give people a higher level of legal protection.

[dallasvic]

I know you must be questioning their guilt Mishell, but try to put yourself in their shoes. I think I'd be freaking out about now. They're in a foreign country with Laws that are different from their own.

I don't think the parents had anything to do with Maddies disappearance.
If you were Maddies parents and you had killed her and then hid the body, why report it? Why stay there? They've been free to leave for quite some time now, why haven't they left? I truly think they want Maddie back thats why.

I can't help but side with the parents on this one, I think they're being framed.

IMO, JMO
O2S

Hi O2S,

I would love to hear your theories on the parents being framed, by whom and why ? I to believed that they could have left anytime they had wanted since they had their passports.
I felt the same up until a day or two ago. Other things started happening pretty fast when they said they were going to be leaving. The DNA results are in and they are asked to stay, but were not told that the results were in , they heard it from a new article I believe it was. They are being questioned separately for some unknown reason. The DNA results are in , why are they not arresting someone ? What would be the purpose of interviewing them for so long ? They are not telling them what the DNA results are . Why ?
Please help me out here.

[TuscanDreams]

Hi TD,

I am getting some weird vibes on the whole thing now. They were planning to leave a few days ago,so they had to have had their passports. What gets me now is that all the sudden they get the DNA results in and do not tell them. Now they are called in for interviews.
Another thing is weird is that in almost all the cases I have read or watched as the case unfolds once they DNA is in they arrest someone. They do not call the family in to interview them. Am I reading to much into this ? :shrug:
The only reason I can come up with on them interviewing them separate is to get them to roll over on each other. Which tells me they are suspects now.:eek: I really hope that is not the case. Help me out here what does everyone else think about all this ? Would love to know.

Here's my thoughts.

Cadaver dogs detect scents that are obviously not present when a person is alive. I'm going to find more info on this today at work, I'll call one of the K9 officers that I work with. I want to know how long a person has to be deceased before a cadevar dog can detect the scent.

I'm feeling set up at this time. I'm a cynical person, I am not into conspiracy theories and I just don't see how the parents could have pulled this off without their friends knowing about it- and I think they'd be honest.

So Dallasvic, I agree that they are suspects, I just don't know that they are the right suspects.

[dallasvic]

I've been thinking more on this. You know how Kate carries around the pink stuffed animal that belongs to Maddie? Could this (death) scent be transferred to her clothing from that stuffed animal? :shrug:

Excellent question ! I'm sure it could be. It really makes since. I was reading back and found something I missed the first time. The dogs scented positive for death in the trunk of the car they rented after Maddie came up missing.Does this mean someone had rented this car before them had placed a body in it ? What do it mean?:shrug:

[TuscanDreams]

Odette, thank you for that photo. The McCanns did not lawyer up, did they?

[dallasvic]

Here's my thoughts.

Cadaver dogs detect scents that are obviously not present when a person is alive. I'm going to find more info on this today at work, I'll call one of the K9 officers that I work with. I want to know how long a person has to be deceased before a cadaver dog can detect the scent.

I'm feeling set up at this time. I'm a cynical person, I am not into conspiracy theories and I just don't see how the parents could have pulled this off without their friends knowing about it- and I think they'd be honest.

So Dallasvic, I agree that they are suspects, I just don't know that they are the right suspects.

Hi TD,
I found this for you.Cadaver Scent Project (http://www.csst.org/cadaver_scent.html)Between 2-4 hours after death, body temperature begins to drop (Haglund and ... for which our dogs can perceive the difference between live and dead scent. ...
www.csst.org/cadaver_scent.html - 8k - Cached (http://64.233.169.104/search?q=cache:iwfKzMtWlo4J:www.csst.org/cadaver_scent.html+how+soon+after+death+can+a+cada var+dogs+scent&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=us) - Similar pages (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=related:www.csst.org/cadaver_scent.html)


I really do not want it to be the parents either. This is why I am digging for anything that will point in another direction, but I keep coming up with more toward them. If you find anything that points in another direction it would be truly appreciated.:)
Your Friend:rose:

[sharlock]

It has just been confirmed on the BBC news that Kate McCann will be given the status of "arguido" (suspect).

However, it is being emphasised that under Portuguese law, this is often done to give people a higher level of legal protection.
Thankyou for the infor about the portugese law Jayelles, in Australia the media have only been reporting that she is being questioned alone as a suspect and have left that other info out of their reports.

[dallasvic]

Odette, thank you for that photo. The McCanns did not lawyer up, did they?

They did not in this interview, but the next one they will be with them because them were told they will be suspects. They will be read their rights. See what I mean thing keep popping up in their direction.:shrug:

[FDInLaw]

This is to happen today when they are interviewed.
arguido status

Artur Rego, a Portuguese lawyer, told BBC News: "Arguido is the person who has been accused of being the perpetrator.

A person can ask for arguido status if they feel the line of questioning is implying that they are a suspect. This gives them more rights than a witness would have.

The way I read this is :

Arguido status gives a range of legal protections, such as the right to remain silent and the right to a lawyer during questioning.

Mr Rego said: "Sometimes when they [the police] suspect someone, they call that person in as a witness.
"They don't constitute him as arguido and they extract as much information from him as they can, because as a witness he cannot refuse to collaborate with the police.

Once someone is an arguido they can be arrested, but only if there is sufficient evidence.

It prevents the person moving house or leaving the country. If they stay anywhere other than their given place of residence for more than five days they have to notify police.


The police told Maddie's mom that they found Maddie's blood in the car they rented 25 day after Maddie went missing and also the blood on the wall in the apartment was also Maddie's.

Now they should have sufficient evidence to make a arrest. What's killing me is how much of an "accident" was Maddie's death? (if she is in fact dead). . . BLOOD? :mad: So much for the notion that she might have overdosed on sedatives.

[Mishell1383]

Wow what a twist. I don't even know what is going on or what I believe anymore. :shrug:

[Jayelles]

Thankyou for the infor about the portugese law Jayelles, in Australia the media have only been reporting that she is being questioned alone as a suspect and have left that other info out of their reports.

I've just watched the lunchtime news. Kate was questioned for 11 hours yesterday but none of the questions pertained to the day Madeleine disappeared. They were questions about their holiday, normal routine etc, etc. Then they said that they were making her an "arguida" so that they could ask her a further 22 questions. I'm assuming (although it wasn't stated as such) that these 22 questions DO pertain to Madeleine's disappearance. As an arguida, Kate can refuse to answer the questions or take her lawyer's advice in answering them.

Apparently, it isn't uncommon in Portugal for people to ask to be made arguido/a as this status afford them more legal rights. However, Kate did not request this, she was made arguida by the police and is devastated.

An odd thing is that there is some suggestion that bloodstains were found in a car hired by the McCanns and that these are linked to Madeleine. They didn't specifically state that the blood WAS Madeleines and I'd like to point that out. But the inference was there. Anyway, the McCann's spokesperson says that they are very puzzled by this because the McCanns DID hire this car - but not until several weeks AFTER Madeleine's disappearance. Praia de Luz isn't a very big place so there might not be many car hire companies. One wonders who else hired that car.

[dallasvic]

What's killing me is how much of an "accident" was Maddie's death? (if she is in fact dead). . . BLOOD? :mad: So much for the notion that she might have overdosed on sedatives.

This whole thing has made me ill. I have been on this thread all night and I never expected the parents to be named suspects and still don't. I have read and searched and read more and posted trying to find things that pointed away from the parents , but to no avail. Every thing is pointing in their direction.

I wish I could even come up with a positive answer that they were being FRAMED like O2S thinks. Does anyone else feel the same here? Please help me out here.

Most of you know I post this Maddie thread several time a day and light candles for her and her family and this is TRULY KILLING MY HEART : (

I Am going to have to leave this thread for awhile.
:rose: For Maddie & Family:rose:
:rose: My Heart Is With Yall:rose:

[FDInLaw]

This whole thing has made me ill. I have been on this thread all night and I never expected the parents to be named suspects and still don't. I have read and searched and read more and posted trying to find things that pointed away from the parents , but to no avail. Every thing is pointing in their direction.

I wish I could even come up with a positive answer that they were being FRAMED like O2S thinks. Does anyone else feel the same here? Please help me out here.

Most of you know I post this Maddie thread several time a day and light candles for her and her family and this is TRULY KILLING MY HEART : (

I Am going to have to leave this thread for awhile.
:rose: For Maddie & Family:rose:
:rose: My Heart Is With Yall:rose: {{{{{HUGS!}}}}} Sweet Friend. . . this is hard to follow. I need to take a break too. It's just so hard to imagine. :(

[WarmNCozy]

This whole thing has made me ill. I have been on this thread all night and I never expected the parents to be named suspects and still don't. I have read and searched and read more and posted trying to find things that pointed away from the parents , but to no avail. Every thing is pointing in their direction.

I wish I could even come up with a positive answer that they were being FRAMED like O2S thinks. Does anyone else feel the same here? Please help me out here.

Most of you know I post this Maddie thread several time a day and light candles for her and her family and this is TRULY KILLING MY HEART : (

I Am going to have to leave this thread for awhile.
:rose: For Maddie & Family:rose:
:rose: My Heart Is With Yall:rose:

Take a break if you need to, but please come back! Big Hug!!! http://sheknows.com/graphics/emoticons/bearhug.gif

[odette]

Dallasvic .. I know just how you feel .. it's all overwhelming I know .. I have been following Maddie's disappearance for some time now and I just can't get my head around all that has happened over the past few hours .. It's all so very sad.

http://i15.tinypic.com/6ezuo40.jpg

[dallasvic]

Madeleine mother named as suspect

BBC NEWS
Last Updated: Friday, 7 September 2007, 12:21 GMT 13:21 UK


The mother of missing four-year-old Madeleine McCann has been formally declared a suspect by the Portuguese police, a family spokeswoman has said.

The BBC has learnt that the move was linked to bloodstains allegedly found in Kate and Gerry McCann's hire car.

Mrs McCann has arrived for her second police interview in 24 hours. Mr McCann is expected there shortly.

Her status as "arguida" allows the authorities to put certain questions and gives her the right of silence.

The couple deny any involvement in Madeleine's disappearance on 3 May.

Family spokeswomen Justine McGuinness told the BBC why the police were now treating Mrs McCann as a suspect:

She said: "They believe they have evidence to show that in some way she's involved in the death of her daughter, which of course is completely ludicrous. They have suggested that blood has been found in a hire car that they hired 25 days after Madeleine was taken."

Meanwhile friends of the family said that Mrs McCann has been told by her lawyer that she could be charged in connection with the disappearance of her daughter. ...

CONTINUED
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/6982969.stm

Here is the link to the other Maddie thread. Hour to hour and minute to minute UPDATES as they happen. They are being posted by our poster of the month : Odette
http://boards.crimelibrary.com/showthread.php

It looks like the parent may be arrested later today.


•Kate McCann is being quizzed by police this morning. Mr McCann will be interviewed at the police station at 2pm

•Madeleine's mother fears she could be charged today over her daughter's death.

•Police quiz mother over claims that Madeleine's blood was found in the car they hired 25 days AFTER she went missing

•Robert Murat expected to be formally ruled out of the inquiry

•Mrs McCann kissed her two-year-old twins goodbye this morning before going to the police station. A spokesperson said Mrs McCann is aware there is "always the threat" she could be in custody by this evening

[dallasvic]

Kate McCann, Mother Of Madeleine McCann, Officially A Suspect

postchronicle.com
by Jack Ryan
Published: Sep 7, 2007

Missing Madeleine McCann's mother Kate McCann has now been formally named a suspect in the case of her missing daughter. Kate's husband, Madeleine's father Gerry, will also be declared a suspect sometime today.

http://www.postchronicle.com/news/or...12102326.shtml

This brings tears to my eyes
__________________
http://i15.tinypic.com/6ezuo40.jpg

[elvislives]

Here is the latest from the Associated Press. I don't know what to make of this. I have a VERY hard time believing these parents were involved in any way.

With the Jonbenet Ramsey case I have always suspected that her parents may be involved primarily because of their behavior after the crime. They didn't cooperate with police, didn't want the crime featured on Americas Most Wanted, and didn't act like other parents of murdered children (which btw does not mean they are guilty).

BUT Maddie's parents have spearheaded an expensive international campaign to find her. They have put their lives on hold to keep her in the headlines and keep pressure on the police investigation. It makes no sense to me that they could have killed her?!?



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UK girl's parents considered suspects By IAIN SULLIVAN, Associated Press Writer
48 minutes ago



PORTIMAO, Portugal - The parents of a British girl whose disappearance sparked a global search will be formally named as suspects, family friends said Friday, after the child's mother was questioned for 11 hours. The girl's aunt said police suggested 4-year-old Madeleine might have been killed accidentally.

ADVERTISEMENT

The allegations related to traces of blood found in a car rented by Kate and Gerry McCann, according to Justine McGuinness, a family spokeswoman. McGuinness said the car was rented 25 days after Madeleine vanished on May 3.

"They believe they have evidence to show that in some way she is involved in the death of her daughter, which is completely ludicrous," McGuinness told British Broadcasting Corp. television.

Philomena McCann, Madeleine's aunt, said police were suggesting Kate McCann might have killed her daughter accidentally.

"They are suggesting that Kate has in some way accidentally killed Madeleine, then kept her body, then got rid of it," Philomena McCann told Sky News. "I have never heard anything so utterly ludicrous in my entire life."

The father, Gerry McCann, was also due to be questioned.

Kate and Gerry McCann, both doctors from central England, have spearheaded an intense media campaign since Madeleine vanished from a holiday apartment May 3 in the Algarve where she was sleeping with her 2-year-old twin siblings. The parents say they were at dinner at the time at a nearby restaurant, but were checking on the children frequently.

The McCanns toured Europe with photos and stuffed animals of Madeleine, even meeting with Pope Benedict XVI at the Vatican. Celebrities like J.K. Rowling and David Beckham made public appeals that helped the family raise more than $2 million.

The couple had been told they would both be named as suspects, family friend and former spokesman Clarence Mitchell said.

Under Portuguese law, the legal move grants certain protections to suspects, but allows police more latitude in questioning. Police also have to show suspects whatever evidence they might have against them.

Kate McCann was questioned for 11 hours on Thursday at a police station in Portimao, a town in Portugal's Algarve region, and looked gaunt and weary when she emerged at 1 a.m. She faced a media scrum as she returned for more questioning Friday morning. Gerry McCann was due to be questioned Friday afternoon, Mitchell said.

The Press Association news agency and other British news outlets quoted unidentified family friends as saying Kate McCann had been declared a suspect under Portuguese law.

The couple have maintained their innocence throughout.

Mitchell said Kate McCann found the police questioning "grueling."

"It's very intense, but she's remaining strong and determined to prove that they had nothing to do with their daughter's disappearance and they are innocent victims of the crime," he told The Associated Press.

Mitchell said both McCanns had been told earlier this week that they would be named as suspects. Family spokesman David Hughes also told the AP that Kate McCann had been told she would be named as a suspect Friday.

He said police had told her they wanted to ask 22 questions, but had not said what they were.

Police summoned Kate McCann after receiving new forensic evidence. Police spokesman Olegario Sousa said authorities have received some results from forensic tests of the apartment, but declined to elaborate on the findings.

The tests — on specks of blood, items of clothing and other objects in the apartment — were conducted at a British laboratory.

Mitchell said the McCanns did not know the test results.

In recent months, the McCanns have attended meetings with the police together. Officials described those meetings as informal, saying they wanted to keep the parents informed of developments in the case.

The only formal suspect until now has been Robert Murat, who lives with his mother near the hotel from which the girl disappeared. He has always maintained his innocence.

___

Associated Press reporters Barry Hatton, Paul Haven and Jill Lawless contributed to this report.

[FDInLaw]

SKY VIDEO

Madeleine McCann's grandfather has told Sky News that he is distraught that his daughter, Madeleine's mother Kate McCann, has been questioned as an official suspect in the four-year-old's disappearance. Brian Healy said it was 'disgusting'.

http://news.sky.com/skynews/video/videoplayer/0,,91210-1283248,.html
Kate's poor Dad! :rose: :rose: :rose:

[readmylips]

How do they know it is Madelines blood in the car and in the room? I apologize if that has been answered somewhere. I am just familiarizing myself with this case. It is very perplexing. I feel terrible for these parents if they are not guilty of this. The only thing that could be worse than losing a child is being accused of being responsible for it if you were not.

[Results]

This whole thing has made me ill. I have been on this thread all night and I never expected the parents to be named suspects and still don't. I have read and searched and read more and posted trying to find things that pointed away from the parents , but to no avail. Every thing is pointing in their direction.

I wish I could even come up with a positive answer that they were being FRAMED like O2S thinks. Does anyone else feel the same here? Please help me out here.

Most of you know I post this Maddie thread several time a day and light candles for her and her family and this is TRULY KILLING MY HEART : (

I Am going to have to leave this thread for awhile.
:rose: For Maddie & Family:rose:
:rose: My Heart Is With Yall:rose:

I don't think they are being framed. Britian brought in their dogs and tried there best to help solve this case and with these dogs the DNA was found and sent to Britian. Britian has supported the McCann's 100% from everything I have read. DNA doesn't lie and these results are coming back from another country so who would be able to set them up? There are 2 countries working together in trying to find out what happened to Maddie and to try to find out where she is. I don't get the frame thing. JMHO

[andU]

I've just watched the lunchtime news. Kate was questioned for 11 hours yesterday but none of the questions pertained to the day Madeleine disappeared. They were questions about their holiday, normal routine etc, etc. Then they said that they were making her an "arguida" so that they could ask her a further 22 questions. I'm assuming (although it wasn't stated as such) that these 22 questions DO pertain to Madeleine's disappearance. As an arguida, Kate can refuse to answer the questions or take her lawyer's advice in answering them.

Apparently, it isn't uncommon in Portugal for people to ask to be made arguido/a as this status afford them more legal rights. However, Kate did not request this, she was made arguida by the police and is devastated.

An odd thing is that there is some suggestion that bloodstains were found in a car hired by the McCanns and that these are linked to Madeleine. They didn't specifically state that the blood WAS Madeleines and I'd like to point that out. But the inference was there. Anyway, the McCann's spokesperson says that they are very puzzled by this because the McCanns DID hire this car - but not until several weeks AFTER Madeleine's disappearance. Praia de Luz isn't a very big place so there might not be many car hire companies. One wonders who else hired that car.

This may have already been posted; I'm replying to this without having read on... the news here in the US is that Madeleine's father will also be named as a suspect. The US news is saying they are placed under suspect in order to be able to question them more in depth, according to the law there.

[Mishell1383]

:eek: TWO YEARS!!!!!! Even though thats small, there talking sentences? Wow something is going on here!!

[FDInLaw]

:eek: TWO YEARS!!!!!! Even though thats small, there talking sentences? Wow something is going on here!!TWO YEARS! That's it? I wonder if they will offer Gerry the same?
:confused:

[One2Snoop]

Another English Translation of two paragraphs from the above article - (Jornal de Noticias)

Durante onze horas de inquirição, Kate McCann foi confrontada com as provas recolhidas pelos investigadores e com o depoimento de Pamela Fenn, a mulher britânica que vive por cima do apartamento que os McCann ocuparam no Ocean Club, na praia da Luz. Um testemunho que para os investigadores é fundamental e que não coincide com as declarações que têm sido feitas por Kate e Gerry, sobre a noite de 3 de Maio, dia em que Madeleine desapareceu. A britânica diz que ouviu, dois dias antes do desaparecimento, a menina gritar pelo pai.

For eleven hours of inquiry, Kate McCann was confronted with proof collected by the investigators and with the statement of Pamela Fenn, the British woman who lives above the apartment the McCanns occupied at the Ocean Club, Praia da Luz. A fundamental witness for the investigators whose statement does not coincide with what was said by Kate and Gerry about the night of May 3rd when Madeleine disappeared. The English woman said she heard the child screaming for the father two days before the disappearance.

Além disso, aquela vizinha, de 70 anos, levantou fortes dúvidas sobre as visitas alegadamente efectuadas por pais e amigos, naquela noite, ao apartamento para ver se as crianças estariam a dormir, e com que frequência. No seu depoimento, Pamela terá contado que, perante a aflição do casal, quando se apercebeu de que a criança desapareceu, se disponibilizou para alertar a GNR, mas Kate terá dito que já o fizera. A verdade é que a chamada telefónica para o posto da GNR é feita mais de 40 minutos depois da conversa que Pamela diz que manteve com Kate.

Besides this, the neighbour, 70 years old, has raised strong doubts about the alleged visits by the parents and friends on that specific night (May 3rd) to the apartment where the children were sleeping, and the frequency of the visits. In her statement, Pamela has said that seeing the agitation of the parents and when she heard the child had disappeared she offered to contact the police (GNR) but Kate said it had already been done. The truth is the call to the police post was made more than forty minutes later after the conversation Pamela says she had with Kate.

Are they kidding? :eek: So what if the neighbor heard Maddie screaming two nights before the disappearance. Kids have temper tantrums all the time, particularly if they don't want to go to bed.

LE is taking the word of this 70 year old woman who "probably" doubts the McCann's story they visited the flat thruout the night. Did she actually witness no activity? And just because her statement doesn't coincide with the MCCann's doesn't mean her's is right.

And then the conversation about when the police where called. So what if it was 40 minutes later, maybe Kate actually thought someone had already called the police.

OMG! This so isn't right. :no:

[Mishell1383]

LOL off topic real quick, anyone see that red haired baby on the side of the link, with the spikey hair? LOL that made me burst out laughing, like outloud, while I was in my office.. Love her!!! ok back to Maddie just HAD to mention that pic!

[Mishell1383]

Are they kidding? :eek: So what if the neighbor heard Maddie screaming two nights before the disappearance. Kids have temper tantrums all the time, particularly if they don't want to go to bed.

LE is taking the word of this 70 year old woman who "probably" doubts the McCann's story they visited the flat thruout the night. Did she actually witness no activity? And just because her statement doesn't coincide with the MCCann's doesn't mean her's is right.

And then the conversation about when the police where called. So what if it was 40 minutes later, maybe Kate actually thought someone had already called the police.

OMG! This so isn't right. :no:
I know this doesn't make sense, all on the account of one "old" woman (excuse me if thats out of line, but...) How do they know shes not senile? or maybe doesn't care for the McCanns? Or maybe she THINKS she heard something? They can't base the WHOLE case on this one womans "claims"
How do they know the woman even has the correct time on WHEN Kate called the police!? WEIRD!!

[Mishell1383]

A thought... well question... Is it possible for the police to lie regarding blood and its location etc. to try and get a suspect or so-called witness to crack and admit something? Would they go as far as publicly announcing it, or would it be when they are interrogating, privately in a room?

[Mysteri]

Jane Tanner said she saw a man carrying a child leaving the McCann apartment.
How thoroughly has that lead been checked ?

The only reason Madeleine's blood would be in a vehicle that her mothyer rented after her 'disappearance ' would be that Maddie's parents had something to do with her death. The one dog was a cadaver dog and I am inclined to trust him.


imo

[Mysteri]

It's stunning to me that the papers say that NOW that Kate McC is a Formal Suspect that the case is being treated like an accidental killing rather than a murder.

They must have some very solid reasons for that.


imo