Madeleine McCann: Watching The Parents
MORE no news on the Madeleine McCann case.
It is now a week since the three-year-old girl was snatched from a Portugal holiday resort.
The story has been distressing to watch on our TV screens. What it must like for the parents of Madeleine only a few can know.
BLAME
But their misery is far from complete. With no news of Madeleine, and the Portuguese police having no need to indulge the British tabloids with speculation and theory, Madeleine’s parents are the central characters.
And today’s front-page news, as reported by the caring Mirror, is: “THEY KNOW LEAVING KIDS WAS WRONG.”
Does the Mirror mean to say that Madeleine’s parents, Kate and Gerry, now think they did the wrong thing in nipping out for a bite to eat and leaving the children in the apartment on what they thought was a secure resort?
Does the Mirror mean that the McCanns know that popping back regularly to look at their children and checking on their well being was less than perfect?
Does the Mirror mean that the McCanns realise they should not have left their children alone, just like it is wrong to leave a child in a hotel under the auspices of a baby monitoring service, to leave a child in the car while mum goes to pay for petrol, to talk to a neighbour over a garden fence while the children are indoors?
Of course this is not the Mirror’s view. Oh, no. This is Madeleine’s grandmother, Susan Healy, saying: “They know this was a mistake. But it wasn’t child neglect, it wasn’t not caring for your children.”
That she feels the need to say this is wrong. That the Mirror can lead with Madeleine’s grief-worn parents is pathetic and misguided. That the paper can talk of “people are asking why they didn’t make use of the crèche” at the resort or take the children out to dinner with them is wrong.
But the Mirror has news to write. And the police aren’t playing the game.
THEORIES
So the Mirror produces: “THE 6 THEORIES.”
Only six! Why this cautious approach? But it is all the Mirror has. And readers hear of the “PAEDOPHILE GANG”, the “LONE PAEDOPHILE”, the “JEALOUS MOTHER”, Madeleine wandering off and “DROWNED”, the “OPPORTUNIST PAEDOPHILE”, the “CHILDLESS COUPLE”.
But the Sun has more. It has 130 more. As the front-page headline screams: “MADDIE COPS HUNT 130 BRIT PAEDOS.”
The paper says “at least” 130 British paedophiles “might” have taken Madeleine McCann.
In “ALGARVE IS ‘HAVEN’ FOR PERVS”, readers learn that Portugal is a “magnet for sun-seeking perverts from Britain and the rest of Europe”.
Who knew that perverts get off on watching children at the beach?
Us And Them
But help is on its way. The Sun lists the British coppers who will go out there and see to it that justice is done. We, says the paper, are the only country with a sex offenders’ register.
All convicted perverts must inform the police of their desire to go abroad. At least 130 have. And the police are looking for them.
But – and whisper this – might it be that convicted sexual deviants don’t all tell the police what they plan to do? They are not monitored while overseas. And might it be that not all sexual predators are caught and make it to the list?
Among the policemans’ names is Detective Superintendent Graham Hill, attached to theChild Exploitation and Protection Centre. Hill is on the case. He has flown to Portugal.
Hill worked on the case of Milly Dowler. She was snatched from near Walton railway station, Surrey, in 2002. Her body was found six months later. Her killer or killers have never been caught.
Perhaps Hill’s experiences can help. Perhaps he’ll have more luck. Perhaps not.
Meanwhile, a family is distraught, and bearing up incredibly well under the strain and the merciless gaze of the newspapers…
Posted: 10th, May 2007 | In: Madeleine McCann Comments (2,260) | Follow the Comments on our RSS feed: RSS 2.0 | TrackBack | Permalink
Comments
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September 6th, 2007 at 6:48 pm
I think that the McCanns knew that Madeline was no longer alive from the moment they broke the news of the disappearance to the police. I dont know why exactly but stonker might not be a million miles from the truth.
If it was my daughter I would ‘personally’ have searched every gas station, residence, warehouse, farmhouse, henhouse, outhouse and doghouse in that area! (Stolen phrase from Tommy Lee Jones…. ) I would still be wandering the streets with a photo of my daughter with 123 days or so growth on my face in a desperate attempt to find my beautiful, vulnerable and ever so precious daughter. No one would stop me until the girl or girls body was found.
What I wouldnt be doing is….. well…… exactly what Gerry has been doing.
September 6th, 2007 at 6:43 pm
I agree mate, remember Harold Shipman, everyone thought he was a pillar of the community, local GP and all that. He murdered his patients, why does everyone think these doctors are so perfect.
September 6th, 2007 at 4:54 pm
Purely a personal opinion, but Gerry McCann is a strangely unemotional bloke, very calculating, and I think they sedated the kid, it died..it was an accident, they were both worried they would be struck off when the news got out so they have created this elaborate story to save their careers. What they’ve done with her body is anyones guess.
September 6th, 2007 at 3:58 pm
Kate Murat? Who is she?
September 6th, 2007 at 3:32 pm
Oh dear oh dear, Is it true that Madeline’s blood was found on Kate Murat’s clothes and in their hired car ?
September 6th, 2007 at 1:52 pm
Stonker says :-
“It’s looking more and more like those two have carried off one of the biggest cover ups of all time.”
I do not believe for one heartbeat that they did anything to their daughter.
The news on Sky have said repeatedly throughout their broadcast today that the parents are NOT under suspicion. They are being re-interviewed.
Why is that so strange?
Maybe they are asking who had been in the apartment (especially the bedroom) when they actually stayed there. By interviewing them on their own they can cross reference their stories.
If they suspect one of the parents of having an affair (with one of their group of friends) then it would make sense IMO not to do it in front of the other partner.
If that is not the case - then why did they find the DNA in there??
September 6th, 2007 at 1:12 pm
Thursday, September 06, 2007
Portuguese police could reportedly be set to make new arrests in the Madeleine McCann case within the next 48 hours.
Reports this morning say the DNA of a potential suspect has been identified from samples taken inside the holiday apartment where the missing four-year-old was staying with her parents.
The DNA is understood to have been found in an area where the individual should not have been.
Madeleine disappeared from the apartment in the Algarve 126 days ago.
I am very interested to see who this individual is!!!
September 6th, 2007 at 12:52 pm
havent seen the news yet.. why is this suspicious?
September 6th, 2007 at 12:27 pm
So the parents are being interviewed seperately, that’s interesting, surely if they are just being interviewed as witnesses they would be together.
Poor old Mrs McCann she wont have Gerry boy to prompt her now.
It’s looking more and more like those two have carried off one of the biggest cover ups of all time.
September 6th, 2007 at 8:50 am
i don’t believe for one instant that the parents had anything to do with madeleine’s disappearance.- and before the knives are thrown - other than to leave their three children alone in their apartment.
their family has been destroyed and will never fully recover after this terrible tragedy of their missing daughter. my heart goes out to them. they will carry this burden for the rest of their lives.
i hope they find strength in each other to endure yet another day without madeleine. blessings to all who are trying to help.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:52 pm
Oh, and cj, it’s not speculative that the McCann’s went out night after night with their pals and left their kids alone in a dark unlocked apartment, sometimes with them screaming and crying for a long time until they got back, and then told people various stories about distance and times which turned out not to be true, so everybody is so confused.
And perhaps some people, unlike you obviously, don’t like to be confused and like to make sense of a situation, and it was the McCanns who wanted to tell their story to the public in the first place, so they must expect some of the public to be concerned when they find out that it may not be exactly as the McCanns told them it was.
And may ask themselves, what else is there to be discovered that could have a bearing on the disappearance of Madeleine and they may not be prepared to just walk on by and ignore it.
September 5th, 2007 at 8:32 pm
Hey cj, you sound like you are working for the McCann campaign. I wonder do they pay you from all the money they are getting, or are you doing it for free??
September 4th, 2007 at 8:15 pm
Hi cj - actually my summer has been taken up by 2 lovely 3 week long holidays, - and I shall be off again in October -take my lap top with me (I play poker and like to enter the tournaments) - do it all from my hotel room when I get back from fantastic days sightseeing and sampling the best food and wine around - so there you go - you know absolutely nothing about me - and never will. After spending years working alongside people from all walks of life one develops an instinct to question actions that do not follow the norm. If the circumstances surrounding this case had been absolutely as stated in the first reports - chances are Madeleine - or her body would probably have been discovered within hours - something was not quite right, either through fear, or by design, the full facts were distorted. This has been proved by the various conflicting reports. Maybe my instict to question something that doesnt quite add up comes from the occupation I retired from last year - after 40 years. Faces say more than words - if you look carefully enough
September 4th, 2007 at 11:06 am
anorak (1344 & 1345) - thats a bit of ‘old news’ isnt it?
September 4th, 2007 at 10:55 am
[...] Jun IT’S Gerry McCann’s birthday today. He’s 39. This is, as the Mail says, “the hardest birthday of his life”. So how [...]
September 4th, 2007 at 10:54 am
[...] It seems that while British journalists have been turning up the volume on Madeleine McCann’s parents, a Spanish hack has been trying to crack the case. Toscano says a man was spotted in a bar in [...]
September 4th, 2007 at 10:41 am
Alice why do are you so worked up about the parents. Is this going to change anything? You fret so much over things that are purely speculative. How would you feel if when all this comes out that just maybe the Mcanns had nothing to do with the abduction? and all your theories that have consumed your summer been nothing more than a just that and the rest of the world has been busy getting on with their lives all along. Will you just move onto another sad forum like this and become the main contributor of twattle or will you actually try and get a life?
September 4th, 2007 at 10:01 am
A Person - Not at this stage - I agree, but when the investigation is complete the prosecution service will decide. The situation in any case can change in a second with the discovery or confirmation of evidence. On May 4th Murat was not a suspect - a few days later, he was, then several days down the line, not a suspect. Complicated cases like this one need to be open ended - and at this moment in time the McCanns are not considered to be supects, but are witnesses. There is a reason why they need to remain in Portugal and if the results of enquiries should put them on the suspect list - and I said IF - then it would be more difficult to bring them back to Portugal had they gone back to the UK. They could argue the case to stay in the UK and delay further investigations - it has happened in other cases both in the UK and Europe. Once somebody shifts - it is difficult to bring them back particularly if it is not for their benefit. Also, as witnesses they could be called to review at any time and need to be on the spot. There are also witness watchers - and the McCanns are probably being asked to stay in Portugal for their own safety - they are afterall the main witnesses in this case.
September 4th, 2007 at 1:18 am
Yes they are Guilty of neglect and yes the do deserve to pay for leaving small children alone to fend for themselfs, they didnt have to go out and have a meal but they did.
But as far as they police are concerned they are victims this i heard on the news just 2 nights ago they are not classed as suspects or even as suspected of being involved in anyway of Madeleiens disapearance is what the news was saying, so that means they are not going to be arrested for neglect and have the children taken away or for any of the other stories that are being posted around.
They were wrong in leaving the children and for that Madeleiene is paying the price not them.
I dont agree that they are to be let off scot free with what has happened and if it was my child i wouldnt want to be let off either, they let her down and wasnt there to protect her.
The police in portugaul have never thought of them as suspects so they will not be arrested for this and all of the poisonous stories on here will not change that fact.
September 3rd, 2007 at 11:17 pm
A PERSON - Your bubble just burst - the McCanns by their own admission are guilty of leaving 3 very, very young children alone. That in itself is an act which could instigate an investigation. Under more normal circumstances - say for instance Madeleine had wandered off into the road, had been involved in a car accident, the police had been called to the scene and it had been discovered that she had been left alone and wandered - then the parents would definately have had to face the laws with regard to child neglect. Because as yet this case is inconclusive it would not be prudent to prosecute for neglect when there are still so many questions which remain unanswered as to exactly how, by whom and when Madeleine went missing. If someone is NOT A SUSPECT it does not necessarily mean NOT GUILTY - they are probably not suspects in the actual act of Madeleine disappearing but they are far more than “suspects” in the act leading up to her going missing. They are guilty - both of them - of leaving their children to the mercy of whoever or whatever took her away.
September 3rd, 2007 at 6:04 pm
Alice you must live in your own little Bubble you call a life the police have said over and over that the McCanns are not suspects, this if you do not understand means the police believe that they are NOT GUILTY of anything.
I dont believe that they are to blame for the disapearance of Madeleine but they should have been there for her they shouldnt have gone off for a meal leaving the children but they did and this happened. They let her down and they will live with that.
The shame about this site is that people like Alice with the poisonous toungue and no brainer sentances is that they cant be sued for the crap that they type just like the media that are being sued by the McCanns.
Get some new story lines guys your little made up lies are becoming boring try to concentrate on the missing child if you cant type anything other than the same lying crap.
September 3rd, 2007 at 5:08 pm
Madeleine has been missing for over 123 days. If we stop now, sit and do nothing then we achieve NOTHING.
Your help may be just what Madeleine, and other children need right now. So if you want to do SOMETHING, then please join us and assist the search.
WHAT WOULD I HAVE TO DO?
Each person who joins up is assigned to a group either working on ideas or countries. The type of things we are doing includes direct emailing to specific businesses and industries to raise awareness and asking for help by either putting up the poster, or seeking support to our fund raising efforts.
The Madeleine McCann campaign has chosen not to specifically endorse any particular groups, however our founding member is in direct contact with the Spokesperson for the campaign.
http://www.helpingtofindmadeleine.com/
p.s. I have put this message on two or three of these forums.
September 3rd, 2007 at 11:32 am
Alice,
Post 1333 I really hope the direction the police may take and positive results are in favour of Madeleine being found alive, not sure what happens to the sightings though the one in Spain by the two spanish ladys who heard the girl say can I go home now (not can we go home now) and then the man saying No its raining in Scotland, because of what was said the police were taking it seriously (did they speak British ?), but now nothing that was 2 weeks ago and there is no news on whether there was CCTV Footage at this garage and whether the sighting has been ruled out border lock downs and spanish police given vehicle details but car not found ?) now the sighting in France - a man checks in himself and 2 children, but actually has 3 children campsite worker raised alarm, a few caravaners and campers also said one of the children looked like madeleine, police checking details that were given to book in - but yet again nothing, car disappears into thin air again.
I truly hope that one day one of these sighting will prove positive, someone will be 100% sure and grab Madeleine. Every day there is hope, everyone should keep madeleines profile high, and as for slating the McCanns on their parenting skills at the moment that is not going to help. I agree that they should never have left the children on their own that night or any others but dwelling on that is not going to help, finding Madeleine will, then I am sure the McCanns are going to face the music from everyone.
September 3rd, 2007 at 2:48 am
Another Jolly Gerry Blog I see - at least Madeleine’s name made the second paragraph - The words beggar belief - such a matter of fact response - its like - “well - go on then - put up your posters on your hols, but me and kate - well we’re taking a back seat”……apart from being on the front row for the pope - when have they taken the lead?? I dont think that they dare leave Portugal yet. the police could have charged them both immediately with child neglect, but they chose not to. I dont think for one minute that this was not a calculated move. It would be difficult to moniter true reactions if they had to face a trial for child neglect.. I am sure that when this case comes to a conclusion - the neglect case will follow. The McCanns should be made accountable for their actions - after all, they are forcing the portugese newpapers to stand up and be counted..what is good for the goose is certainly good for the gander…
September 3rd, 2007 at 12:23 am
Remember Sophz that there is no evidence an abduction took place. We have been brainwashed to think this way. There was no broken lock, no forced entry, nothing. We have all prayed for the safe return of the missing little girl but our prayers remain unanswered. With the reward money for evidence leading to the capture of the ’scum’ who took her, someone within the small circle of the abductor(s) would have squealed by now for sure.
September 2nd, 2007 at 9:47 pm
oh my god i can’t actually belive after all this time people are still blaming her parents…i mean come on! do you really think they intended this to happen? no one should be makin accusations at a time like this…they should be supporting the family of a missing little girl!All we should be doing is hoping and praying that maddie comes home safe and sound because after all that is what we all want!The truth is no-one is to blame except the scum that took her!
August 31st, 2007 at 11:17 pm
Hello, JohnO and everyone else - Am I supposed to be mad or flattered that someone needs to use my name to post their feelings - didnt read it, must have been deleted. Anyway - my skin is thick!!.
There is little more to draw any conclusions - either in the press or on these sites. Its a pity that the Portugese newspapers chose to use such graphic headlines - obviously with no proof of their accusations. Why dont they just shut up and wait. There will, I am sure, be an astounding statement very soon from both Portugese and British police, and everyone will be made aware of exactly in which direction the investigation has been taking and the positive results. I am all for the code of silence by the police. Until they are absolutely sure, why say anything? It is the impatient speculators who are the problem. If the police were about to arrest someone for the abduction, murder, accidental killing or whatever, this awful speculation in the newspapers today will only serve to drive the perpetrators into hiding or give them the options to re think statements and responses should they be questioned. If everyone is in the dark, the true criminals would not be for-warned and would probably slip up and show their hand
August 31st, 2007 at 10:11 pm
they should be in prison 4 neglect!! who f**king dare they get off with that?
this whole story makes me sick… those parents dnt deserve children… i believe they accidently killed their daughter
August 31st, 2007 at 4:59 pm
My apologies. May the real Alice please stand up.
August 31st, 2007 at 4:45 pm
Maybe there is more than one Alice, just like there are more than one of you here John O