Please pray for the safe return of Madeleine

[MaggieMay]

A 3 year old British girl has been abducted in the Algarve, Portugal. Madeleine McCann was on holiday with her family when she was abducted from a bedroom around 10pm on Thursday. Please pray that she is returned safely to her family.

[Athena]

Madeleine as well as all of our world's missing children are in my prayers every single day. I even pray that our prayers could stop these abductions all together.

[MaggieMay]

Unfortunately Madeleine is still missing.

[Jayelles]

I have been in contact with the people who set up the helpline and they said that the best thing we can do is to spread the word by posting a link to the website anywhere we can and especially in places where it isn't already being discussed.

Here is a post I have made in several forums:-

Originally Posted by Jayelles
When I was a little girl, we used to play the game "pass it on". Someone would make up a story, tell one person and say "pass it on" and we'd see how far the story would spread.

A week ago, little Madeline McCann was abducted from her hotel room in The Algarve, Portugal whilst her parents ate their evening meal closeby within the hotel complex. They are a very nice family and Madeline's father is a respected cardiologist. He and his wife had been taking it turns to check on their children at half hourly intervals.

Portugese law prevents the police from discussing the investigation - even with the parents of the missing child. Also, such crimes are rare in Portugal and it would appear that the police are under-resourced and under-experienced in dealing with this crime. Experts have been flown in from other countries to help.

It is now felt that she may have been taken out of the country. A Scottish businessman has put up £1 million (almost $2 million) as a reward for information leading to Madeline's return. International footballers David Beckham and Reynaldo (sp) have made TV appeals for her safe return.

A group of volunteers have set up a webpage with the aim of spreading Madeline's photo and the tipline numbers are globally as possible.

www.findmadeline.com

Here is a link to a new story (with other links):-

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6645341.stm

Click on the link in my signature for the website dedicated to finding Madeline.

In these cases, we often feel helpless. As parents we cannot begin to imagine the horror of having your child abducted and not knowing whether they are alive or dead or what horrors they may be enduring. It is agnonising for us to watch the tv appeals of parents who are suffering our worst nightmare.

However, there IS something that everyone can do - we can "pass it on" - i.e. spread the word. If everyone could post the link to the www.findmadeline.com website just once to ANY other forum with the request for others to do the same, word will spread quickly.

Internet communities CAN help!

I just heard of this crime today when a colleague sent me an email to spread the word (he is acquainted with Madeline's father). How horrible for these parents. I can only imagine the anguish and guilt they are feeling.

Jayelles, I admire you for trying to spread the word...that is the best thing that can be done for this little girl right now. When I received the email from my colleague I forwarded it to everyone in my address book. I would encourage everyone to forward J's message to everyone you know. Maybe someone will recognize little Madeline before its too late.

I have not heard anything about this case in the US news, but did a google search after receiving the message. I was mortified at the sites where posters were criticizing her parents and saying they deserved to have their daughter abducted due to their negligence. I don't understand why anyone would want to attack Madeline's parents at a time like this. It seems extremely cold hearted to me.

I don't know if the Brittish celebrate 'Mothers Day' like we will in the US on Sunday, but my heart breaks for this poor mother. I honestly cannot imagine anything worse.

There seems to be no end to these awful child abductions. When will it stop??

[dallasvic]

She is such a pretty child. I pray for her safe return.
May God With Her And Her Family

[Livia]

This is the first I've heard of this tragic case. That poor baby...and her poor parents!!

I know that different countries have different laws, but I would be climbing the walls if I were this child's mother and the police were refusing to tell me anything!! It's horrible enough to be going thru such a nightmare, surely the parents have the right to know what is being done to find their child?!

Little Madeline and her family will be in my prayers. God grant that she is found soon--and safe.

[Livia]

Oddly enough, I was just watching MSNBC (and talking about this case with my mother) when the reporters on there started talking about little Madeline's abduction!

Get this: today is her 4th birthday. How sad is that?! She should be with her family, celebrating her birthday.

They said police suspect she may have been kidnapped by a pedophile ring. Two men and a woman (!) had been seen lurking around the area recently--they were even chased off a beach after they were seen there taking photos of children.

Other "witnesses" claim to have seen some adults at a gas station in a van with a little girl who looked like Madeline, only a day or so after she disappeared.

Sounds like the rumor mills are hard at work.

There are two younger children--twins--in Madeline's family, who were sleeping with her when she was abducted. Her parents were very close by--so close that they could see the bedroom door.

MSNBC said that the parents have been in church every day, praying for their daughter.

And today is her birthday. She should be celebrating it with her family.

I hope to God the police--or someone--find little Madeline soon.

[MaggieMay]

Originally Posted by Jayelles

I have been in contact with the people who set up the helpline and they said that the best thing we can do is to spread the word by posting a link to the website anywhere we can and especially in places where it isn't already being discussed.

Here is a post I have made in several forums:-

I have posted the link on the other forums i go on to, thanks Jayelles.

[Jayelles]

Originally Posted by elvislives

I just heard of this crime today when a colleague sent me an email to spread the word (he is acquainted with Madeline's father). How horrible for these parents. I can only imagine the anguish and guilt they are feeling.

Jayelles, I admire you for trying to spread the word...that is the best thing that can be done for this little girl right now. When I received the email from my colleague I forwarded it to everyone in my address book. I would encourage everyone to forward J's message to everyone you know. Maybe someone will recognize little Madeline before its too late.

Thank you Elvis. I was just saying this to my Hubby yesterday - childre "change" so quickly at this age. It's so important that someone recognises her before her features change.

I have not heard anything about this case in the US news, but did a google search after receiving the message. I was mortified at the sites where posters were criticizing her parents and saying they deserved to have their daughter abducted due to their negligence. I don't understand why anyone would want to attack Madeline's parents at a time like this. It seems extremely cold hearted to me.

I totally agree. Criticism is unproductive and it detracts from the effort to get Madeline back. I fear that it might make some people "switch off" - thinking that the parents are somehow undeserving of help in getting their baby back.

However, a lot of the criticism has formed from a basic ignorance about the European culture. This type of package holiday - where everything is organised from flights, airport transfers, hotel complex, meals and entertainment etc - is all extremely popular in Europe with some people taking up to 3 of these kinds of holidays a year. The Scots are among the most enthusiastic for this kind of holiday - we are so starved of sunlight!

Babysitting and baby listening services are usually offered by the hotel complexes too so that parents can have a meal or a drink or enjoy some entertainment in the hotel. I'm sure the McCann's wish they hadn't put their children to bed and then nipped across to the restaurant for a bite to eat but it's a fact that many, many people do this. My husband and I once used a baby listening service on a holiday while we went to a show (within the complex). I didn't totally relax I admit but I was more worried about one of them choking than I was about them being abducted!

The McCanns are decent respectable people (both doctors) and I read yesterday that Madeline was a much loved IVF baby too. These aren't parents who left their children alone at home whilst they went out on the town. They did what many others do whilst vacationing at a European holiday complex. For many european parents, this is a case of "There but for the grace of God go I".

I don't know if the Brittish celebrate 'Mothers Day' like we will in the US on Sunday, but my heart breaks for this poor mother. I honestly cannot imagine anything worse.

There seems to be no end to these awful child abductions. When will it stop??

Our Mothers Day is in March. People here are so touched by this case. Little girls are wearing yellow ribbons in their hair. Churches all over are saying prayers for her safe return. There are posters all over and people are putting flowers on the posters.

People feel so frustrated because they can't do more but what we can do is a big thing - spread the word. We're all here discussing crime anyway but it will help if we spread the word to other forums - gardening, cookery, fly-fishing.... Places where people may not have heard about Madeline. What would also be a terrific help is if anyone who can speak another language could translate the appeal and post it to a place where the members speak that language (and ask them to "pass it on").

[Jayelles]

Originally Posted by MaggieMay

I have posted the link on the other forums i go on to, thanks Jayelles.

Thanks MaggieMay. Everywhere I have posted this, someone has passed it on. Ladybug from jameson's even reposted it in spanish! How wonderful is that?

[Lady Justice]

My prayers go out to the family. I just found out about this today through one of my friends on myspace. Their has been alot of awareness generated through myspace. We can't do much from here except hope and pray that she is safely returned to her family.

[Mishell1383]

My heart goes out to this family at this desperate time

what an absolutely beautiful child she is. Those eyes could make a person melt !!

[Jayelles]

The FindMadeleine fund has just been launched with a brilliant "logo". The logo is the word LOOK but the first "O" has a flash in it - just like Madeleine's eye and it was also reported on the news that this "flash" will also be an interactive hotspot on the webpage where people can click on it to see a montage of photos. Isn't that clever? They are really drawing attention to Madeleine's most distinctive feature.

The fund is going to pay for search costs and has kicked off with donations of over £10,000 (approx $20,000) from Mr McCann's hospital colleagues and a bucket of money which was dumped at the reception of the hospital where he works as a Consultant Cardiologist.

The fund has been set up in response to public demand. A great many people have asked not IF they an donate but WHERE and to date there has been nowhere and they have been refusing money. I expect money will now flood in because everyone feels so helpless and this is a concrete way to help.

The young male journalist who interviewed Madeleine's uncle about the fund was really choked and near to tears.

[Mishell1383]

Originally Posted by Jayelles

The FindMadeleine fund has just been launched with a brilliant "logo". The logo is the word LOOK but the first "O" has a flash in it - just like Madeleine's eye and it was also reported on the news that this "flash" will also be an interactive hotspot on the webpage where people can click on it to see a montage of photos. Isn't that clever? They are really drawing attention to Madeleine's most distinctive feature.

The fund is going to pay for search costs and has kicked off with donations of over £10,000 (approx $20,000) from Mr McCann's hospital colleagues and a bucket of money which was dumped at the reception of the hospital where he works as a Consultant Cardiologist.

The fund has been set up in response to public demand. A great many people have asked not IF they an donate but WHERE and to date there has been nowhere and they have been refusing money. I expect money will now flood in because everyone feels so helpless and this is a concrete way to help.

The young male journalist who interviewed Madeleine's uncle about the fund was really choked and near to tears.

Oh how I hope they find her safe, she must be so scared.

[Sharon]

Originally Posted by Mishell1383

Oh how I hope they find her safe, she must be so scared.

I hope so too. She is too young to go thru this. I wait every minute to hear good news of her. Its a wicked world when young kids are so preyed upon.

[Jayelles]

Well the Internet community is certainly doing it's bit effectively. There have already been over FIVE MILLION HITS!

The family say they are overwhelmed.

[Sharon]

Originally Posted by Jayelles

Well the Internet community is certainly doing it's bit effectively. There have already been over FIVE MILLION HITS!

The family say they are overwhelmed.

Well done, what a mighty effort!!! And thanks to you, and others, who have worked tirelessly to get world wide attension on to this terrible shocking story. It is overwhelming what can be achieved when people get together. I cant wait for this to lead to her being found safe and well. I feel for her family in this dark time.

[samanthajane13]

I just shared the info with the reptile forum I belong to. They're all caring people-many with children themselves...

We will be praying for Madeline, her safe return, and her family.

Every now and then there is a case that hits you like a ton of bricks. Either because the victim reminds you of someone you love or you somehow relate to the parents of the victim, or for any other reason I suppose. This is one of those cases for me. It positively haunts me and every time I see poor Madeline's anguished parents it feels like a knife in the heart.
Madeline was on the cover of People Magazine (American version) this week. There is also a large fund going thru the AMA (American Med Assoc). Everyone I know is talking about this case, and with a missing child I think that is a good thing. The more publicity the better.
As a parent I cannot imagine the horror that these parents must be experiencing every minute of every day. Not knowing if at any moment someone is hurting your child and you are helpless to do anything about it. In some ways it might even be easier to know that your child was dead and her suffering was over rather than think of her in the hands of some sick pedophile.
What can we do to stop these monsters who prey upon innocent children? In my opinion the values of society need to change. E.g. a child predator should never be released from prison to make room for a drug dealer. Its a matter of priorities and protecting children needs to come first.
There is a discussion going on another forum to which I belong (not even a crime forum, but this case has taken over). People are discussing changing the privacy laws so that LE could infiltrate the computers of these pedophile rings. There is also discussion about changing the US laws to a 'One strike against a child and you're out'....as opposed to the current 3 strikes laws that are in effect in some states. Very controversial topics, but I think they need to be discussed.
I realize this is not a US case, but sadly these types of crimes happen every day. If nothing else, maybe Madeline's abduction will call attention to the dangers that lurk and will motivate people to take action to protect children. It has to be global effort imo.
As always I am hoping and praying for the safe return of little Maddie to her family.

[dallasvic]

My Heart and Prayers Are With Madeleine & Family

Some of the 'find Madeleine websites' are hoaxes or advertising scams. The real one is here: http://www.findmadeleine.com/

[Jayelles]

Originally Posted by elvislives

Some of the 'find Madeleine websites' are hoaxes or advertising scams. The real one is here: http://www.findmadeleine.com/

I know - and the hoax sites are making a packet out of advertising - they get paid for every visit.

This was front page news yesterday and the hoax sites were named and shamed. One is an American company.

[Jayelles]

The mobile phone companies (cell phones) have come up with a great idea. Users can donate £1 to the Madeleine fund by texting "Maddie" to 60999. This means that young people can make an affordable donation.

One of my young classes told me yesterday that this makes them feel as though they can be a part of the fundraising effort. They were really delighted about it.

Paypal are also accepting donations.

[MaggieMay]

What a great idea, i've told everybody i know who has a mobile to text.

[MaggieMay]

There are always some horrible people who will try and benefit from heart breaking situations. I'm so glad they have been named and shamed.

[dallasvic]

Originally Posted by MaggieMay

There are always some horrible people who will try and benefit from heart breaking situations. I'm so glad they have been named and shamed.

Text mess is great idea. How can anyone try to benefit from someones miss fortunes. That is like rubbing their nose in it and saying they deserve what has happened to them. That will come back on them 10 foe!!! That will get what they deserve and it will be well deserved.
My Heart And Prayers Are With Madeleine And Her Family
GOD WILL KEEP HER SAFE

[Sharon]

Originally Posted by elvislives

Some of the 'find Madeleine websites' are hoaxes or advertising scams. The real one is here: http://www.findmadeleine.com/

No way!!!!! Thats so sad. That is so low that the mind cant absorb it. imo

[Mishell1383]

Originally Posted by Sharon

No way!!!!! Thats so sad. That is so low that the mind cant absorb it. imo

ya that makes me remember all the same how low some humans are to just make a buck.......

[Jayelles]

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?

[dallasvic]

My Heart & Prayers Are With Madeleine & Her Family
My God Keep You Safe Til You Come Home

[dallasvic]

For Madeleine & Family

Our HEARTS Are With Yall

[Jayelles]

The McCann's have met with the Pope and had a photo of Madeline blessed by him.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6701819.stm

[Mishell1383]

Originally Posted by Jayelles

The McCann's have met with the Pope and had a photo of Madeline blessed by him.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6701819.stm

OH WOW! Thanks for that update Jayelles!

[Jayelles]

Originally Posted by Mishell1383

OH WOW! Thanks for that update Jayelles!

It's great that they've got such a strong faith to carry them through this.

[dallasvic]

Hearts & Prayers To The Family

[Mishell1383]

Originally Posted by Jayelles

It's great that they've got such a strong faith to carry them through this.

ABSOLUTELY !!

[Jayelles]

Isn't this sweet? This is what some Glasgow primary school children have done:-


http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/...st/6710997.stm

About 400 balloons were released which had tags attached with the Madeleine appeal information.

The tags included the UK and international telephone numbers for people to pass on any relevant information.

The hope is that the balloons will travel all across Europe and can help publicise the missing person campaign being undertaken by the McCann family and friends.

I think tragedies like this bring out the best (and worst) in people. A nutty British "doctor" is calling for her parents to be arrested. Dr Vernon Coleman actually only practiced medicine for a short period of time before becoming a animal rights activist and outspoken novelist. He authored the anti-American book "Rogue Nation" and blames the US for many of the world's evils.

Fortunately, his rants are not gaining much popularity in the UK! I don't understand how anyone could kick these parents at the lowest point in their lives.

[Mishell1383]

Originally Posted by Jayelles

Isn't this sweet? This is what some Glasgow primary school children have done:-


http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/...st/6710997.stm



I think tragedies like this bring out the best (and worst) in people. A nutty British "doctor" is calling for her parents to be arrested. Dr Vernon Coleman actually only practiced medicine for a short period of time before becoming a animal rights activist and outspoken novelist. He authored the anti-American book "Rogue Nation" and blames the US for many of the world's evils.

Fortunately, his rants are not gaining much popularity in the UK! I don't understand how anyone could kick these parents at the lowest point in their lives.

AWWW Jayelles I LOVE those little kids! how CUTE was that! Thankyou so much for posting that, it made my day! Now what would Make my YEAR! would be if they found maddie

[dallasvic]

My Heart & Prayers Are With The Family
GOD Bring This Child Home Safe Soon