Help Maddy mccann

[pat9283]

if you can pass this on to other people it would be greatly appreciated. I don't even know this child but I have sisters this age and I feel for this child. Please read the info on the link and try to pass it on. She may have been taken by a child trafficing (sorry cant spell) gang and could end up anywhere in the world.

A 3 year old girl went missing whilst on holiday in portugal. She has been missing for 6 days. The police are being widely critizized for the flaws in this investigation and coruption is hampering efforts. Lets try and help find Maddy alive.

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/fc/madeleine-mccann.html

[natalielongstaff]

i hope she is found soon :hug:

[shellbell]

I'm praying that Maddy is found safe and soon!

[Girlsontour]

Every hour i am watching Sky News in the hope that there is good news on Maddy plight. I hate the criticism of Maddy's parents, none of us would wish to be in their position. We are not a religious family however this morning DD (aged 11) asked if we could call into the church opposite her school to say a prayer for Maddy's safe return.:sad1:

[pat9283]

Every hour i am watching Sky News in the hope that there is good news on Maddy plight. I hate the criticism of Maddy's parents, none of us would wish to be in their position. We are not a religious family however this morning DD (aged 11) asked if we could call into the church opposite her school to say a prayer for Maddy's safe return.:sad1:

I do think that what the parents did was very stupid. However, as you said no one would wish to be in their position. and I think this is the harshest way for them to learn the lesson that young children should never be left alone. Asleep or not. I hope she is found, that is why I am trying to spread the message and try to get more coverage for the family.

[DebIreland]

I hope they find her soon. That poor little girl. :( I can't imagine how traumatised her parents and her little brother and sister are. :guilty:

[lizcrowlowwww]

i am so sad about this story. i am 21 and i remember back when holly and jessica went missing i was so optimistic about them being found. it brings the feelings of the realisation they were not to be back for me. i cant imagine how the parents who are being so brave are feeling. in my hope, i think maddy is ok. but if she is returned what would have happened to her? how is she feeling right now? i can only hope, if she is not found she is being looked after by someone who really wanted a child. but in my body i feel this isnt the case and a horrible horrible gang have her in the wait of money for exchanging her to a peodophile. i have never been so moved by something in the news before and i have been praying for her, im not sure who to. i thought optimism was wasted, but now i think if everone in the world has a thought she is ok, the collosal energy will be transfered to her and she will have the power to return home. i think about her everyday, how she is feeling and where she is. maddy, i think you can hear me as you can hear all others thoughts of hope and love. you will get home, you will be happy, and the option of this not happening will not be a reality. so much love xxxxx

[lizcrowlowwww]

I do think that what the parents did was very stupid. However, as you said no one would wish to be in their position. and I think this is the harshest way for them to learn the lesson that young children should never be left alone. Asleep or not. I hope she is found, that is why I am trying to spread the message and try to get more coverage for the family.

stupid? at this time do you think calling parents 'stupid' who are in such anguish is helpful? this is not a time to judge. my parents would have done the same when i was younger. there was a child minding service available. in my mind it would be more likely the person who was appointed in the care of the child would have seemed more likely to commit a crime to the child than the unthinkable event of the recent past. this is rational logical thinking do you not agree? this is such an unprecedented case, any parent would be shocked to think this could happen espeacially in a child friendly enviroment. people are too quick to criticise when in reality this could happen to any caring parents who made a judgement they obviously considered to be safe. think of the judgements you if are a parent have made and your parents made. this family have been caught out on such a rare situation. a situation whichcould have happened anywhere and proved your ideal parenting decisions to be 'wrong'. some things can just not be prepared for and i ask you to contain your judgemental criticism and focus your energy in finding this beautiful child. negative energy is not something to be considered at any time now or in the future of these heart-renched parents.

[Donaldduck66]

I can't try to imagine what the family is going through. :sad1: I hope she's found safe and sound asap and not been hurt in any way. My prayers and thoughts go out to her and her family.

[Minniespal]

Hope she is found soon.

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

stupid? at this time do you think calling parents 'stupid' who are in such anguish is helpful? this is not a time to judge. my parents would have done the same when i was younger. there was a child minding service available. in my mind it would be more likely the person who was appointed in the care of the child would have seemed more likely to commit a crime to the child than the unthinkable event of the recent past. this is rational logical thinking do you not agree? this is such an unprecedented case, any parent would be shocked to think this could happen espeacially in a child friendly enviroment. people are too quick to criticise when in reality this could happen to any caring parents who made a judgement they obviously considered to be safe. think of the judgements you if are a parent have made and your parents made. this family have been caught out on such a rare situation. a situation whichcould have happened anywhere and proved your ideal parenting decisions to be 'wrong'. some things can just not be prepared for and i ask you to contain your judgemental criticism and focus your energy in finding this beautiful child. negative energy is not something to be considered at any time now or in the future of these heart-renched parents.

there are two aspects to this matter. NO-ONE will disagree that the plight these parents are in is heartbreaking and EVERYONE wants the child to be found safe and well.

But I am sorry, the rest of your comments are ridiculous.
You DO NOT lock three children in an apartment on their own for hours (albiet with visits every 30 mins or so) regardless of how close you are or are not.
You have yopur meals with your children and NOT without them.
And I talk from experiance of having a 5 year old. I would not dream of leaving him locked in an apartment on his own for five minutes. you tailor you life around the children NOT carry on as if they did not matter so long as you can go and have a meal and drinks on your own!

their judgement was totally irresponsible.
When (God willing) maddy if found sagfe and well, these paerents should be prosecuted for child endangerment.
Because they are Middle Class makes them no better parents than anyone else, certainly not caring! what was caring about their attitude? to check ever 30 mins then lock them up again and go on enjoying themselves???
this was not a case of turning your back in a supermarket, this was a deliberate action of leaving those children on their own.

[lexie32]

there are two aspects to this matter. NO-ONE will disagree that the plight these parents are in is heartbreaking and EVERYONE wants the child to be found safe and well.

But I am sorry, the rest of your comments are ridiculous.
You DO NOT lock three children in an apartment on their own for hours (albiet with visits every 30 mins or so) regardless of how close you are or are not.
You have yopur meals with your children and NOT without them.
And I talk from experiance of having a 5 year old. I would not dream of leaving him locked in an apartment on his own for five minutes. you tailor you life around the children NOT carry on as if they did not matter so long as you can go and have a meal and drinks on your own!

their judgement was totally irresponsible.
When (God willing) maddy if found sagfe and well, these paerents should be prosecuted for child endangerment.
Because they are Middle Class makes them no better parents than anyone else, certainly not caring! what was caring about their attitude? to check ever 30 mins then lock them up again and go on enjoying themselves???
this was not a case of turning your back in a supermarket, this was a deliberate action of leaving those children on their own.


I have been following this case very carefully as i have a 2.5 year old son and my mum owns a holiday villa in Prair de luz ( 50 yards from Robert Murats house, we could see it on sky news this morning) I know the layout of the resort and the realistic distance between the apartments and the restaurant as i have spent alot of time by that pool. There is no way on earth i would have left my child as those people did as in the same way if you lived 3 doors down from a pub you wouldn't leave your children at home and go to the pub for the evening, when we go on holiday and stay in a villa we always take a baby monitor with even though we no longer use one at home.


I really hope they find Madeline soon, i cannot begin to imagine the pain her family is going through and i hope this alerts people not to let their guard down and behave less vigilantly just because they are on holiday. I am going out to visit mum's in 4 weeks and on a purely selfish note will fell alot happier if they have caught whoever did this.

[UKDEB]

Because they are Middle Class makes them no better parents than anyone else
What am I missing. I have read and re-read this thread and can't see that anyone has made this claim. :confused3

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

What am I missing. I have read and re-read this thread and can't see that anyone has made this claim. :confused3

No, not in this thread Deb. We have had in the newspapers, the TV and radio all this nonsense that they are wonderful caring parents because they are doctors, that because of their intellegence they have taken on lawyers, grief counsellors etc etc. If it had been a single mother or a working class family the newpapers would have by now pillioried them. I have to say, I think (and yes it is only my personal opinion) that if the child had been of another ethnic group, we would not have had so much wall to wall coverage.

A child is a child regardless.

[wifey]

I have to say that I agree with Obi Wan:hug: .. we would NEVER leave our child alone like that no matter how much we might want a bit of peace and quiet! We always have a responsible adult family member look after DS if we go out for a meal at home.. and when we are on vacation we always go out as a family if we don't go out together we don't go anywhere.. we stay in our room and order from room service and have a quiet night together.

I hope that they do find the little girl but I can't help thinking that her parents need their heads examined.

Every parent should be aware of the risks of undesirables hanging about waiting for an opportunity to commit a crime and never let the opportunity occur where a child can go missing.Our children are precious and need our protection and attention not neglect.

[Joanne UK]

I agree with the last few posts on this thread too.

It would never ever occur to me to do what Maddie's parents did and I can't condone it in any way.

However, what they are going through now is something I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy. I hope and pray that Maddie is found safe and well and anyone thinking of leaving their children alone will remember this case and think again.

[wideeyes]

I agree too, and I also don't understand the emphasis on that she is an IVF child, for example a quote I read to day "much longed for IVF child". It seems to suggest that this makes it more devastating. a child is a child and they are all special.

I can't understand how the idea to leave those children alone entered there head, I could never leave my DD alone, if she woke up and found nobody there she would be very distressed. I want even let my DD play in the back garden alone as there is a side gate which she could leave the garden from.

I do feel for this little girls parents and I hope she is found soon.

[CustardTart]

I agree too, and I also don't understand the emphasis on that she is an IVF child, for example a quote I read to day "much longed for IVF child". It seems to suggest that this makes it more devastating. a child is a child and they are all special.

I can't understand how the idea to leave those children alone entered there head, I could never leave my DD alone, if she woke up and found nobody there she would be very distressed. I want even let my DD play in the back garden alone as there is a side gate which she could leave the garden from.

I do feel for this little girls parents and I hope she is found soon.

Exactly. It's the last thing all the parents I know would do. Even my DS13 questioned it.

I really hope and pray this little girl is still alive and found soon. I was reading this morning about a lady whose son was snatched on a Greek island 15 years ago I think - he's never been found. It must be the most terrible thing that can happen to a parent...

[AlanUK]

Exactly. It's the last thing all the parents I know would do. Even my DS13 questioned it.

I really hope and pray this little girl is still alive and found soon. I was reading this morning about a lady whose son was snatched on a Greek island 15 years ago I think - he's never been found. It must be the most terrible thing that can happen to a parent...

That was Ben Needham and yes, sadly he has never been found. I hope that the same fate does not befall Maddy but with each day that passes I feel less confident that she will be found :(

[pat9283]

I do think that what the parents did was very stupid. However, as you said no one would wish to be in their position. and I think this is the harshest way for them to learn the lesson that young children should never be left alone. Asleep or not. I hope she is found, that is why I am trying to spread the message and try to get more coverage for the family.

I didnt post this message to attack the parents but I do stand by my judgment of what they did being stupid. I am the eldest of 10 children and my parents would NEVER EVER leave me of any of the other children alone like that. I do feel for them because they have to live with what they did for the rest of there lives but what they did was wrong, no excuses. And I dont know why anyone would acuse me of not being helpful and critisizing when I was the one who set these threads up. I did it to help the poor girl, I wanted to give some international coverage to the plight and hopefully help get this little girl home. Personaly it is not the parents I am praying for, its the child, wherever she may be. I know that makes alot of people angry and I cant imagine what they are going through and I can see that they are heartbroken but as I said its the child we need to focus on.

[carolfoy]

I agree it was irresponsible of the parents to leave her alone, I have holidayed several times, just me and my son and when he was small and went to bed early it would have been so easy to go to a bar or terrace to get out of the apartment but you just CAN'T! too many people leave their heads at home when they holiday.
Nevertheless i hope the news is good soon although i fear the worse

[Cinderella]

I hope they find her. I can't imagine what they are going through - the parents. And if she has been taken by some of these sicko paedophiles, she is probably better off dead. The thought terrifies me. How can these people harm children, and why are they able to get away with it? They're not curable - the police know who they are - they should bring back the death penalty.

I too remember the young boy who went missing in Kos. There have been some vile cases over the years.

The scary thing is, it is so easy to lose sight of a young child, within seconds. This happened to me twice in Walt Disney World. Jessica ran off in Future World. One minute she was right in front of me - she was only two, and I couldn't see which way she had gone. Luckily the CM's got her back for me within minutes - but they were the slowest minutes of my life. Another time, when Joshua was five - he forgot we were staying in DVC and thought we had got up and gone without him - not that we would ever do such a thing. He had actually got up, got a chair to reach and opened the chain on the door, and went to look for us.

How can some of you judge these people? We really don't know exactly how it feels to be in their situation, but we can imagine it, and we are so lucky that it is not us that this nightmare is happening to.

I wish they would find her safe and well, but I bet we've all hoped and prayed in the past when children have gone missing, and in most cases, the outcome is not a happy one.

[wideeyes]

.

The scary thing is, it is so easy to lose sight of a young child, within seconds.


losing sight of a child in a public place is extremely different than making the decision to leave a child alone.

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

losing sight of a child in a public place is extremely different than making the decision to leave a child alone.

Fully agree wideeyes.
The point on this terrible case, was the deliberate act of locking their children up in the apartment on their own and going off to have a meal and drinks, not turning around and losing sight of a child.

[Tinker74]

I agree they made a mistake...but how would prosecuting them serve any purpose whatsoever...i have nothing but deep sympathy for those parents.
They are going through a pain and torture that none of us can even imagine..their lives will be that same pain and torture every single day. I honestly can't thing of a worse pain and torture than what they are going through. Why on earth would anyone want to try and make that pain worse. Not that i think it can be worse.
I don't understand:confused3 some people.
if there was anything I could do to help them feel one smidgen better i would..I can't understant the mentality of anyone wanting to cause them MORE pain by prosecuting them.

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

So, "oh whoops I fired this gun and killed someone, but it was a mistake" you would say "thats OK, you have made a mistake, we don't want to cause you more pain"??? or "I made a mistake and drove too fast, bnow someone is crippled for life"

They have to be responsible for their actions and consequenses.

Yes, I want the scum who took the child to be, well i would hanfg them from the nearest branch, but I am also very angry that these parents allowed this situation to occur in the first place by their selfish actions of LOCKING THREE CHILDREN INTO AN APARTMENT ON THEIR OWN! just so they could go and have a quiet meal.

[jen_uk]

I think that everyone makes mistakes, no one is perfect and there is no point making things worse for the parents now.

[wils]

There is a new website

http://www.bringmadeleinehome.com/

[jen_uk]

I also think that the coverage of this has been blown out of all proportion, I don't mean that its not terrible because it obviously is a devastating thing to happen and I really hope she is found safe and well. Its just that the news bulletins, the church services, the yellow ribbon thing, the whole world has become caught up in this and I can't help but think what about all the other children who go missing? Its a sad fact that children are snatched, raped or murdered every day around the world yet everyone is focusing on this one child as though she is more important than all the rest. I did a quick internet search on missing children and I found pages and pages of children who have gone missing, been found dead etc but we never hear about those.

[Tinker74]

So, "oh whoops I fired this gun and killed someone, but it was a mistake" you would say "thats OK, you have made a mistake, we don't want to cause you more pain"??? or "I made a mistake and drove too fast, bnow someone is crippled for life"

They have to be responsible for their actions and consequenses.

Yes, I want the scum who took the child to be, well i would hanfg them from the nearest branch, but I am also very angry that these parents allowed this situation to occur in the first place by their selfish actions of LOCKING THREE CHILDREN INTO AN APARTMENT ON THEIR OWN! just so they could go and have a quiet meal.


Do you really think the parents are thinking.."whoops".:eek: ..I don't understand how anyone can have anger at these poor wretched parents.
Do you not feel for them at all?
Iam going to have to bow out of this thread because iam actually sickened by your attitude.

[floridalol]

Yes, I want the scum who took the child to be, well i would hanfg them from the nearest branch, but I am also very angry that these parents allowed this situation to occur in the first place by their selfish actions of LOCKING THREE CHILDREN INTO AN APARTMENT ON THEIR OWN! just so they could go and have a quiet meal.

Once again, Obi hits the nail straight on the head, there would be no crime committed if the parents had behaved in a responsible manner.

[wideeyes]

I don't understand how anyone can have anger at these poor wretched parents.
.

Because there actions resulted in a child been abducted, and I do feel sad for the parents however that is not going to stop me thinking they were stupid and irresponsble. It is extremely diffcult to understand why they thought it was okay to leave 3 children alone.

[Tinker74]

I find it hard to understand too..they obviously really thought their kids would be safe. I would never do that myself as iam very over protective anyway..but i always try not to judge others parenting..after all none of us are perfect.
What I don't understand is how anyone can show anger towards these parents and not just deep sorrow...I honestly can't fathom it.
They are suffering so much...why heap on more??..The guilt they must feel is enormous already.

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

Do you really think the parents are thinking.."whoops".:eek: ..I don't understand how anyone can have anger at these poor wretched parents.
Do you not feel for them at all?
Iam going to have to bow out of this thread because iam actually sickened by your attitude.

Tinker, I am sorry but no, they have in part brought this on themselves by their total selfishness. I cannot understand how you can defend the locking up of three children in an apartment on their own for hours, just to go and get a quiet meal with your other half.
Three children all under 4 left locked up on their own! THATR is sickening!
Of course now they are upset, but IF THEY HAD NOT DONE THIS HORRIBLE ACT IN THE FIRST PLACE WE WOULD NOT BE DISCUSSING THIS!
Your attiude is awful, have you ever heard of parental responsability?? Is it acceptable what they have done?

[Tinker74]

Tinker, I am sorry but no, they have in part brought this on themselves by their total selfishness. I cannot understand how you can defend the locking up of three children in an apartment on their own for hours, just to go and get a quiet meal with your other half.
Three children all under 4 left locked up on their own! THATR is sickening!
Of course now they are upset, but IF THEY HAD NOT DONE THIS HORRIBLE ACT IN THE FIRST PLACE WE WOULD NOT BE DISCUSSING THIS!
Your attiude is awful, have you ever heard of parental responsability?? Is it acceptable what they have done?

MY attitude is awful...FGS..read your post...what a vile attack on two devestated parents...Iam actually very sad that people exsist with such little empathy.
You think the parents are UPSET!!?? ...FGS...understatement of the century..showing you have no idea..Iam done talking to you...have the last word..shout till the cows come home..you really are "a grumpy old man".

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

MY attitude is awful...FGS..read your post...what a vile attack on two devestated parents...Iam actually very sad that people exsist with such little empathy.
You think the parents are UPSET!!?? ...FGS...understatement of the century..showing you have no idea..Iam done talking to you...have the last word..shout till the cows come home..you really are "a grumpy old man".

Answer the question please Tinker74. You have attacked me for plainly speaking on what these "parents" did yet you fail to answer the question.
I will put it to you again.
Do you think that in ANY way it is acceptable to leave three children under 4 LOCKED UP in an empty apartment for hours just so you can go and have a meal on your own? would YOU do this? what would you expect to be the outcome?

You find uit easy to defend their actions as a "mistake" A mistake is forgetting to buy a can of pop. Criminal negligence is what these parents did in the first place.

As for "upset" or "devastated", semantics. If they had not done what THEY did in the first place, a criminal act, they would NOT be either!

[Tinker74]

Like I said..iam done talking to you..in fact iam putting you on ignore..I've actually cried for these parents and your posts are making me sick...
I've already said i wouldn't leave my kids so stop bringing that up please.:sad2:

[wideeyes]

I would never do that myself as iam very over protective anyway..

:confused3 :confused3

it is not being over protective, it is doing your job as a parent to ensure your childs safety.

do you think there action are normal and what most parents do, go out and leave there kids alone?

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

Like I said..iam done talking to you..in fact iam putting you on ignore..I've actually cried for these parents and your posts are making me sick...
I've already said i wouldn't leave my kids so stop bringing that up please.:sad2:

So glad to see that your ways follow to discussions, either agree with Tinker74 or go to the ignore pile.

Again, for the third time, please answer the question. I asked if you felt it was right to leave those children locked up. Yet you fail to answer that question and the subsequent question that follows. If it is wrong, then they should be prosecuted for Criminal negligence or Wilful child endagerment.
What would be your attitude if the child had not been abducted but the fact they would leave them locked up alone had come out in the papers? You seem to be coming from "well we all make mistakes" and that is enough???

You Cry for the parents??? I cried for the child, who by their actions was put into this position!

[Tinker74]

wide eyes..No of course i don't think most parents do it...but it actually wasn't a criminal act..They didn't abandon their children ..they were checking on them and they were on site at the resort. i wouldn't do it no...but i don't think in a million yrs they thought this could happen...and a lot of people do use baby listening at this resort.
I just feel so sad for them.:sad2: ..Is that so wrong?

[wideeyes]

i don't think in a million yrs they thought this could happen.

maybe not however did they think what would happen if one of the children woke up and had a bad dream, needed a hug, needed the toilet, and found they were all alone.

No it is not wrong to feel sorry for the parents, I do to, however I can't excuse there actions.

[mandymouse]

Can we please refrain from turning this thread into a slanging match ? Everyone has their own opinion about this subject and I feel sad that instead of focusing on the hopes of finding Maddy safe and well, people are arguing about who is to blame - what can be gained by this ? unless you just want to come on here to argue with your fellow DISers

Obi, there is no need to attack someone for their opinions, and stop hounding her for a reply, she doesn't need to answer you

Your attiude is awful

and like Tinker74, if you are not happy with what other people are saying then put them on ignore, but please don't take to being rude back

..you really are "a grumpy old man".

I hope and pray that Maddy is found safe and well soon, but my fears grow as time goes on

My heart goes out to the parents, and I cannot imagine what they are going through (and hope never to), and although I would never have left my young children on their own, I would never say that they brought it on themselves

Mandy

[pat9283]

Mandymouse.
As the person who started this thread is it possible for me to delete it? I always thought of DIS as a happy family and I dont want to start arguments. I feel that it is now unnessesary to have this post on the UK community board because it has already got alot of coverage in the UK media. It is an emotive subject and it causes people to clash when different views are posted. It is easy to become drawn into an argument on this subject, but I feel it is no longer constructive, Thanx :goodvibes

[mandymouse]

Mandymouse.
As the person who started this thread is it possible for me to delete it? I always thought of DIS as a happy family and I dont want to start arguments. I feel that it is now unnessesary to have this post on the UK community board because it has already got alot of coverage in the UK media. It is an emotive subject and it causes people to clash when different views are posted. It is easy to become drawn into an argument on this subject, but I feel it is no longer constructive, Thanx :goodvibes

No problem, I'll close it for you