scrubbedexpat141

I watched Panorama last night.

It wasn't that interesting, it just highlighted the inept Portugese Police. It also brought up the fact that the Portugese all firmly believe the parents did it / covered it up.

Anyone got any good theories seeing as we are now 5 years down the line and there is still no sign of Maddie?

LaLaLayla

People are venomous about the McCanns, and I have never understood why. Sure, they made a mistake, but they are paying the ultimate price. I feel so sorry for them.

As for theories, I do not believe any of the paedophile ring/stolen to order theories. There are (sadly) enough children in the world who would not be missed. Why choose a child like Madeleine?

The Dean

Totally agree. I am 100 pct convinced of their innocence.

And the worst thing is - as the police assumed their guilt/involvement, they didn't start looking for 'anyone else' until it was too late........

There was also a lot of misreporting by the UK media at the time too, which helped to fuel the theories about the possible involvement of the parents.

scrubbedexpat141

On the face of it, which is what I believe is that they are completely honest and the victims of a horrible abduction.

The popular Portugese opinion leads back to 'evidence' stating that she died in the apartment, leading to a cover up.

I wonder if we will see a reappearence in 15 years or something.

Ronnie Biggs

They made a huge, terrible mistake that night but I don't believe for a second that they harmed her or are in any way involved. People should remember what they have lost before they stick the knife in. Awful story....

Meow

Well said & totally agree. Everyone makes mistakes, but they were terribly unlucky. In 99%+ of similar situations the girl would have been just fine.

I think one of the reasons they got such a hard time from parts of the press and the public was that they appeared composed in front of the press, instead of weeping and wailing. A bit of middle stoicism seemed to make many people think that they didn't care.

britexpat76

I think the point most people couldn't comprehend was the fact they left their children alone when they could of paid 5 euro's for a baby sitter. I am not a parent but I was never left alone as a child and I wouldn't leave a child alone myself.

But as you say, those actions will haunt them for the rest of their lives..........

Meow

There was a time when it really wasn't uncommon for parents to go to a neighbour's house and pop back and check on the children regularly. Children would also go out for play for most of the day, not under adult supervision. Admittedly the McCann children were young and yes, they probably should have paid for a babysitter, but so many other people have done the same and we cannot live our lives as if a kidnapper, paedophile or murderer is one every corner - as they really are not.

From outset the focus should have been on trying to find the girl, not apportioning blame. Pointing fingers now will make no difference either.

goonerseba

Wholeheartedly agree with this statement.

A child is still missing after 5 years ? Thats torture alone for any parent.

britexpat76

I am a 70's child and I went out at 9am every day off school and only came home twice a day to eat before going to bed, but we don't live in those times anymore meow.

Meow

Do we really think that the world is a far more dangerous place than it was then? Or how much of it is perception? Maybe children are over-protected these days?

I don't know the answers to the questions, but I do wonder if we over-react these days?

LaLaLayla

Nothing has changed. The rate of child abductions has not increased over the last 50 years. It's our perception that has changed.

britexpat76

When I replied I thought exactly the same thing?? Why is it so much more dangerous now than then, or perceived to be.

Is it the fact we don't have village bobbies anymore giving us clips around the ears?

Is it violent video games??

TV??

Or is it infact just the same as it was in the 70's?

scrubbedexpat141

It can't have changed that much.

I am a 90's kid, I used to walk to and from school on my own, come home and stay at home alone until Mum got in from work, then I was allowed out with mates.

On the weekends / holidays I was allowed out all day playing footie or out on our bikes in the woods. Rule was to check in and say hello to Mum every 2 or 3 hours (and get a cheeky ham roll).

Kids can barely breathe without being hammered. Noticed it with my Nephews and Niece back home. Kids are house bound like fat little trolls.

Bahtatboy

I'm afraid that's a false analogy. The number of unwatched / out-alone kids in any situation must have decreased dramatically, and presumably they're the ones still being adbucted. If the rate (as a measure of all kids) hasn't changed, then the abductions per unwatched / out-alone kids must have shot up dramatically. Or am I making a false assumption somewhere?