Find Madeleine

[WillowTheWhisp]

It's not up to us to judge the parents.We were not there. We do not know the circumstances. We only know what we've read in the papers or seen on TV and reporting can be misleading. How do we know they didn't initially express concern at leaving the children? How do we know that staff at the holiday complex didn't reassure them that it was perfectly safe to do so and that people did it all the time and that nothing bad ever hap pens in Portugal? I've even seen that stated on TV 'nothing bad ever happens to children in Portugal'. Maybe the first night they were a bit uneasy, but then the children were fine, so the next night they felt reassured, and then the next night it wasn't a worry at all and so on. We don't know. We weren't there and I don't feel we have a right to condemn them.

Last summer I let my 11 year old daughter go inside on the hotel computer whilst we stayed by the pool and her older sister went doing something else. Was I negligent? I know 11 is older than 3 but how do I know she was safe? Mind you they both go to school on their own so how much worse is it than that? It's all about where you draw the line and what your expectations are. A 3 year old child in bed at home and Mum out in the garden pegging clothes, or in the sitting room watching TV - how different is that?

I'm kind of with Magpi on this one. Just hoping and praying the little girl is found safe and well.

[suzster]

Did anyone see the Tonight with Trevor McDonald TV show the other night? IMHO it was tasteless - I'm absolutely certain that mum and dad felt perfectly at ease leaving their children, otherwise they wouldnt have done it.

I would urge everyone to save this debate until we have some news on Madeleine - let's hope and pray that it's good news and it comes very soon.

Happy Birthday Madeleine.

Suz x.

[Kiki]

Agree you cant judge anyone,i really hope they find her alive and well and the people who took her punished!

[Mercury]

I just hope that they get her back safe and well, and nothing untowards has happened to her, and that the people who have taken her are looking after her.

[shaz]

panther posted a pic of maddie on accweb apparently she has a distinguishing right eye that she could easily be spotted and which no one could ever do anything about or cover up

[Sweetpea]

With the reward of 2.5 million being offered, and nothing coming forward, I think it goes one of two ways. She is either dead, or with someone who desperately wanted a child. I hope it's the latter.

[shaz]

if someone finds her just for the reward then there is something wrong, if i was able to find maddie myself i would give her the money

[Magpi 47]

There are some people who will do anything for money.
I think if the criminal element is involved then perhaps money may be an inducement to bring Maddie back...or report whoever has the child, but if it is a pervert who has taken her then I think the money will not induce them to bring her back.

I just hope she is found soon.

[Sweetpea]

Well, reports are now coming out that there may have been no intruder, and that Maddie wondered out alone. This thought had crossed my mind.

[shaz]

i think IF she had of wandered off alone someone would of found her by now

[Sweetpea]

Maybe they did, but was the wrong sort of 'somebody'.

[shaz]

unfortunately thats probably what did happen, its so annoying not being able to go and help though...does anyone else feel like that?

[Sweetpea]

Yep. I certainly do.

[Magpi 47]

Oh, I hope this is just another red herring. There seem to have been so many false leads, I'm sure that she would have been found by now if she had just wandered off. And the Europeans (in the main) are so child friendly that surely she would have been reunited with her parents.
I find it hard to believe that she would have wandered far without being spotted.