Little Madeleine - she could be anywhere

[Alysser]

Although I do feel bad for the parents, when I first heard the story it said that Madeleine was alone in the apartment with no one, and her parents would check on her every 30 mins. I can't imagine leaving a 3 yr old child alone like that. They must be so regretting this now. This is such a sad, sad story. I feel so sorry for her parents and herself. She has been gone for so long, and I hope she is OK and alive and well.

I was thinking, do you think someone from the Hotel snatched her?? I wouldn't think someone could get in unless they had a room key, and all hotel workers would have a key for every room to clean, etc. They should ask around the hotel for any workers missing or something..just a thought.

I'll be praying for this poor family.

[lizbud]

I've been seeing many articles & blogs with comments & prayers for
this little girl & her family. There is a lot of comments criticziing the parents
for not useing the sitting service offered at the hotel.I feel so sad for them.

[carole]

The thought crossed my mind, perhaps they were not keen on using a sitting service in a strange country, they thought this was a safer option, i would not have left my kids either, but i guess they thought it was going to be ok, checking up on them,whatever they must be going through hell right now, and we all make bad decisions sometimes, sadly they are going to suffer for it for the rest of their lives, let us hope they find their wee girl and soon, this is so tragic.

[Twisterdog]

A complete tragedy beyond words. I honestly don't know how a parent could ever stand this.

And as much as my heart breaks for these parents and this child, I have to say, what were they thinking? When my child was two, or four or six, I would have never left him alone for 30 minutes. Not in my own house, and certainly not in a hotel in a strange city! There is NO excuse. Call room service if you are hungry. One parent could have gone out and brought take-out in and the other watched the children. That is assinine.

[Pawsitive Thinking]

Maltese Love: From the start of this I've felt that someone at the holiday complex had a hand in snatching Madeleine. How else would they know when the parents had checked on the children and when they hadn't? This certainly wasn't a random kidnapping.

As for the issue of leaving the children alone - it is a decision they will regret for the rest of their lives isn't it? As far as I can work out they were on holiday in quite a large group so were taking it in turns to check on the children rather than leave them in the care of someone they did not know.

The little boy who went missing in Greece is called Ben Needham and his mum has been interviewed recently. She thinks he was "taken to order" and wherever he is, he is loved and well cared for. He will be 18 soon and she is convinced he will find his way home one day....

[Miss Z]

I was thinking, do you think someone from the Hotel snatched her?? I wouldn't think someone could get in unless they had a room key, and all hotel workers would have a key for every room to clean, etc. They should ask around the hotel for any workers missing or something..just a thought.

If I remember Portugal correctly, it's pretty easy to open the sliding doors that lead out onto the balcony using a credit card, and some even simply with your hands. Locks aren't always up to standard. It's a frightening situation but not uncommon in any European hotel. I think they showed the apartment that Madeline and her family were staying in on the news and it was a ground floor apartment easily accessible to anyone passing.

The little boy who went missing in Greece is called Ben Needham and his mum has been interviewed recently. She thinks he was "taken to order" and wherever he is, he is loved and well cared for. He will be 18 soon and she is convinced he will find his way home one day....

Ah yes, that was who I was thinking of. Such a tragic story that she still wonders if he'll ever return. There is depth to her 'taken to order' theory. Toddlers, often blue-eyed and blond haired, are targetted because they will forget who their parents were with time and will never know their true identity. My fingers are crossed that Madeline will be found but with each day the chance gets slimmer and slimmer...

[Pawsitive Thinking]

http://www.gm.tv/index.cfm?articleid=25948

[Kirsten]

Her parents decided to show Madeleine's last photo to the public. It was taken only 7 hours before she disappeared. Looking into this happy little face, not knowing what's ahead of her is bringing tears to my eyes...





Hope the picture shows up, if not, you can also see it in this article.

Kirsten

[finn's mom]

That whole thing is so tragic. I can't imagine. Her parents will need individual and marriage counseling for years after this. I am absolutely speechless that someone would leave their child alone like that.

[carole]

The saddest part of all is that in this world of ours we cannot leave our children safely, because of creeps like those who took young Madeline,i so feel for those parents, it is hard enough to have this happen, but i am sure all the criticism they are facing makes it that much harder, i myself agree i would not have done what they did either,but no-one can regret that as much as they do,regardless we have to have empathy for them, this is such a tragedy.

[Hellow]

Oh God. This is terrible. Please bring her home, god.

[Pawsitive Thinking]

I was really hoping that by now this thread would be history and replaced with a celebration of Madeleine's safe return but sadly, not yet......

Madeleine's parents have now released a video of them all setting off on holiday.

Keep praying people and keep looking for Madeleine

[Pawsitive Thinking]

Hear parents are meeting the Pope today - let's hope he can "pull a few strings"

[Cataholic]

I woke up this morning with this poor girl on my mind.

[sandragonfly]

she has been on my thoughts since I read all about it. and have blogged about it to my friends/families too.

brody, the video you linked gave me goosebumps .. I pray to the stone she'll be found sound and safe. whatever parents shouldn't do or should do, is too late and just please find or return this girl..