UK Toddler abducted....

[spaced]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/leicestersh ire/6623127.stm

I dont feel sorry for the parents. I feel sorry for the child. Who in their right mind would leave such a young child on their own in a hotel, regardless of checking on them every 30 mins.

in minutess you could die from smoke inhalation, it takes seconds for as child to eat or drink something poisonous, seconds for them to hurt themselves, cut themselevs and bleed to death in 30 mins.

I think it's outragious. Why leave the child in the room, while you have dinner. terrible. I have no sympathy. Poor child.

[smudge]

I do understand what you mean sifellis (nice name) - as I, along with, many others, were taken in by Jeremy Bamber's tears when appealing to find the murderers of his adoptive parents, sister & children on TV & look where he is now!

For a fleeting moment, it did cross my mind whether it could be a family member who took Madeleine, but I shall wait with baited breath & hope she returns safely like everyone else on & off AB.......

[silly moo]

I'm a bit late joining this thread, but here's my opinion for what it's worth.
Speaking as a parent I cannot imagine anything worse rhan losing a child. It is against the natural order - parents are not meant to outlive their children
And before anyone says the child is (hopefully) not dead the parents must feel the same sort of emotions.

It must be even worse when the parents are partly to blame, and in this case I feel that they most definitely must accept blame.

Anything could have happened to any of the 3 young chidren they left alone, the least being simply that they woke up and realised they were alone and had to wait at least 30 minutes for comfort.
Also all sorts of things could have happened to the parents preventing them from returning very 30 minutes.

However much blamne we put onto the parents I still feel so much sympathy for them, and I doubt they will ever be quite so selfish and stupid again.
I pray for all of the family.

[lizzydrippin]

Okay, the parents made a big mistake that they'll obviously regret for the rest of their lives (regardless of the outcome) but really, why do people feel the need to keep repeating themselves over and over and over again. You've all established that you are absolutely wonderful parents that have always done everything perfectly correctly, never made any mistakes or wrong judgements. Fine, good for you. But can't we all just hope and pray for this family without going on about how it was their own fault and all the other self righteous bumf that has been written on this thread. Give them a break for petesake!

[netibiza]

I do feel incredibly sad for the worry, hurt, bewilderment and total confusion the parents are suffering, but what about little Maddie, none of this is her fault, and it was so easily avoidable. There's no ignoring it.

[Baby02]

I guess some of you guys have never made a mistake! You must be so proud of yourselves being perfect!! Shame on you!

[netibiza]

I have never made such a tragic mistake, and I have never hurt or caused my child to be hurt. Can you not realise that some of us do think ahead and do take precautions, simply because we know the world is an imperfect place and it is our duty to protect the young. Are some people so wrapped up in themselves that they don't think ahead - if so, they shouldn't be parents. I mopped up other people's mistakes in the 70's which has probably made me more aware, and that's not a bad thing.

[netibiza]

...and when are some of you going to think about the poor 3 yr old, who hasn't a clue what has happened, is not with her family or friends or anything familiar and is doubtless in a foreign country,and must be so totally confused. At that age, they can start to think it's something they did wrong. She must be going through all the same emotions as the parents, and much much more. The parents at least understand why it has happened, little Maddie doesn't. Please let her be returned to her family soon.

[smudge]

Hear, hear Neti!

We have two grown up daughters, four grandchildren & would never have left them ALONE in unfamiliar surroundings, specially to go out to eat or drink. We wouldn't do it at home & certainly wouldn't do it abroad!!!!

Nobody's perfect & I'm sure everyone's made mistakes in their lives, but have to say that taking great care of our children, doesn't make us 'goody two shoes' - it's just plain common sense!

As I've mentioned before - I have every sympathy for little Maddie's parents & family. I've also been watching all the news bulletins, hoping to God that she is safely reunited with them very soon.

I only wish Maddie could be with her Mummy, Daddy, brother & sister today on her 4th birthday. -x-

[netibiza]

I have this morning downloaded lots of posters in Spanish, English and Moroccan and have put them up all over the town. The Spanish didn't really know about poor Maddie. It may be a long shot, but she could just as easily been hidden on this island where we have many English families as tourists now. I've also been looking at little girls (sounds bad) but wish I could find her.

[smudge]

Good for you Neti - if I lived nearby I would have helped do the same - you just never know.....

[NiceCupOfTea]

I have never made such a mistake, but my child could still have been taken. If someone is determined, then it seems you have no chance unless you have been prewarned. Every second of the day, that's when I watch mine. But they could still be snatched if someone takes a liking.

It is not the parents' fault. It is the abducter who chooses their 'prey' so it is the abducters not the parents. No matter how dutiful I am, I now feel paranoid and can see how easy it would be to lose a child.

[mata hati]

reading everyones letters with interest! Some I agree, and some I disagree. I myself cant help but compare the difference between the "Soham" girls parents when they first were missing, with that of the McCanns. Four parents in Soham totally and utterly bereft, and two parents in Portugal cool calm and collected. What does this mean? probably nothing, but it makes me wonder!

[lizzydrippin]

So it makes you wonder what exactly? Why on earth are some people willing to think such horrid things rather than accept that we are all very different and just because the majority of parents who have lost a child have been utterly bereft and express it with tears and hysteria you believe that every parent should express their grief in the same way. Do you ever think about the parents who have shown all these physical signs of despair and have done all the weeping and wailing and begging for the help of the public and its later turned out that it was they themselves that committed the crime. These outward signs mean nothing and if you go through life believing that what you see on the outside is totally related to whats going on internally with someone then you're going to be making alot of misjudgements about people. Your 'wonderings' might be better kept to yourself.