nickster_uk

I'm not sure if any of you are aware but a 4 year old British girl called Madeleine was abducted whilst on holiday in the Algarve, Portugal 3 weeks ago (she was 3 at the time and her 4th birthday has since passed). My heart goes out for her parents who must be going through a very hard time but the media are ignoring a very key issue at the moment.

The girl was taken whilst her parents went to a nearby restaurant to enjoy a evening meal. Now, there's no harm in that if they arranged adeqaute childcare cover but the fat is, they DIDN'T. They left Madeleine and her younger twin brother and sister (2 years old) alone for the night whilst they dined which I think is just shocking and appalling. They state that the mother walked the short distance from the restaurant to the holiday apartment every "30 minutes" to check on them but this is being strongly contested by the staff at the restaurant who have been interviewed by Portuguese national newspapers and they state that neither parent left the restaurant once to check on them.

My first and foremost concerns were for the girl and the hope that she is found safe, well and unharmed.

As time has progressed, I have followed the story with interest in the British media as no-one seems to have any condemnation of the parents actions. One so-called 'expert' even stated that "we've all done it" but that is something I strongly disagree with as I'm pretty sure I have never left my children home alone whilst I went for a night out and I think the majority of like-minded parents would never dream of placing their children in potential danger so they could have a meal.

The only condemnation we have seen from the media is directed at the Portuguese police and authorities for not being able to find the girl and not making any arrests or progress which I think is extremely unfair as they are trying their best to find the little girl.

I'm not sure if this is a class issue or whether her parents know or are a friend of a powerful media executive but i'm pretty sure that had the parents of been single or white-trash trailor park types, the media would be wasting no time to tear them apart whilst they were already down but the fact of the matter is that both are respected middle class professionals. One is a renowned cardiologist and the other a GP (family doctor). A specialist doctor and a GP are role models to society and they should be held in some way accountable for their actions. The fact that the media is doing nothing to condemn their actions sends out a very bad message in my opinion. I'm not expecting a witch-hunt here but some criticism of some negligent parenting is called for surely??

Again, I sincerely hope Madeleine is found safe and well and very quickly.

Any thoughts?

Tony.b99

Although I really feel for the parents, I agree 100% with you. I have even e.mailed BBC 24 but of course with no response.

I have 2 older boys now 16 and 21, I wasn,t a proffesional person when we all went on holiday, (when the kids were younger). But we never let them out of our sight.

You can take kids to most returants when on holiday, or eat and have a drink in the hotel/apartment.

Of course I feel for the child, parents and everyone involved and hope they are re united soon.

Another point is children have been abducted for years, this is nothing new, and although the publicity may help (I hope it does) lets think about the others who have not been re united

Good luck to the family and although I have my views I will shed a tear of happiness when Madaline is returned.

Tony

ebackhus

My parents would hire a sitter or just one would go out and bring back a feast. Those parents have my pity for two reasons: their child was abducted and their lack of common sense.

nickster_uk

I've emailed the BBC loads of times on this issue via the 'Have your say' section but that was a waste of time.

I have however, started a thread on the BBC Points of View messageboard which has managed to last over a day without getting pulled as my previous attempts were.

Tony.b99

Hi Nickster I cant understand why there are not nore comments by the media on this issue. I really cant work it out can someone please explain.

Tony

Joefireline

Now THAT is just poor! And why the heck isn't it in the news??

My parents would have never left us alone, when we were young! They still worry about us now lol!

Tony.b99

Its tragic of course but whats the justification of leaving 3 under 3s. In England would we be charged with negligence, I wonder

kinbard

I wouldn't leave my girls alone to go next door! I am too afraid to do something like that, and I can't understand anyone who doesn't have the fear and desire to protect their children inherent. Unbelievable, but unfortunately happening more and more in todays society. What is even more unbelievable is that after such an event has taken place, PEOPLE STILL CONTINUE TO DO THIS! They don't learn from others mistakes.

jen56

I totally agree with you. I sincerely hope they find little Madeleine Safe and Well!
I cannot understand myself why did these parents leave their precious children sleeping alone? I cannot understand either why did whoever take Madeleine,only her. What did she wake up! and perhaps could identify her kidnapper! There where other children in the room sleeping this is the hardest part for me to comprehend.
I am a mother to 3 Adult children now, but when they were toddlers I always know where they were, and when I went out my children came with me, everywhere.This world is too dangerous for our precious children to be left alone, even if we go out for a meal, and I am really surprised that the parents have not been charged for doing this, because in my eyes this is Neglect on the parents part for doing this.
This story has world wide coverage, and I hope the public help do there part and keep eyes focused just in case somebody spots little Madeleine and she can be returned to her parents and siblings..Madeleine you are in my prayers and my thoughts.

Go The Power

I really hope she gets home safe.
My parents would never have done that to me. If I ever have any children I would never do that to them especially at that age, and In a different country.

Tony.b99

I agree with all the comments made by people on this thred but I'm sure I speak for all saying lets hope she's ok and gets home soon

jen56

Tonight on our news service here, there was Madeleine's mother & father Quote: We feel very guilty. The event of Madeleine missing is just as if the children were at home in there bedrooms, while we having dinner.! end of Quote:
How could they say this.....They were a fair way away from where their children were sleeping....Under no circumstances would this be the same as if they were at there own home....

Tony.b99

sorry but I have to say it Jen this is a stupid quote from proffesional educated people

jen56

Yes!! Tony I understand where you are coming from, I myself was very upset and not happy with the parents when I heard this..But this is what they said, if only you could get to hear it for yourself.. It was on our Channel 7 and Channel 9 news 6pm this evening...
Educated or Not parents make mistakes all the time..(I am pretty sure our newsmen do not get it wrong)

Zazula

Did anyone comment in that thread of yours, Nick?

Also, there's not only BBC in the UK - won't any other channel or newspaper accept your point of view?

Kalim

This is a testament to the lowness of itself.

What's to opinionate on, it's pretty obvious damn lousy behavior. I happen to be from the very same line of work they represent and can rightly say this is not an issue of professionalism but rather of a lack of sagacity, principles, standards, responsibility, common sense and moral values.

'Tot' being the right word.

In our society we look down on such cowardice inappropriate behavior. Fine, do what you feel with enjoyment, but risking another fragile life is what we're adamant against not bringing into fashion.

Don't bother posting on BBC, they will remove your comments if it doesn't suit the agenda they'd like to convey. I don't see anything 'absurd' in that, it's commonly known to happen anyway although it's sad, it happens. You may attain a gleeful lame reply at most. 'Cherry picked' commentary will get through.

I'm not going to comment on the media explicitly, which differs from country to country, but in effect the Bible, Quran, Vedas and Tanakh contain more facts and truth with less hatred than it ever will. If this is the first time you've encountered an obvious gross blunder with it then I suggest you look carefully over it's history right from the very start to find every other report and it's intention/s, purpose/s and direction. They are there to "shape" our views, if you get what I mean.

I look after children from across the impoverished world and it's usually the media sunk stroke comfortably uneducated stroke recklessly affluent who are alienated from true humanity and behave as such. I don't know this couple personally (no thanks), but I expect the same situation and background here.

Reading some books and passing exams to attain your idea of success doesn't in itself render you wise nor intelligent. It's like a donkey with a library on it's back.

nickster_uk

Yes Sakis, there are quite a few comments on the post and mine isn't the only post. I scoured many media messageboards and many people feel the same as myself that the actions of the parents need to be examined. Have to say that the first few threads I posted were pulled for some unknown reason but the latest has stayed...perhaps the mods don't work weekends??

As for other media outlets, they're taking a very similar stance. Not one has condemned the actions of the little girls parents which I think is shocking. All the newspapers and channels have given so much airtime to the inadequacies (spelling??) of the Portuguese police which I think is grossly unfair as they are doing their best (with international help) to find the girl and more to the point, they wouldn't be needing the find the girl if it wasn't for the parents selfish actions. It really makes my blood boil.

You can usually depend on the UK tabloids such as 'The Sun' to put the boot in with its judgemental style of trashy journalism but I read an article the other day which mentioned that ".....Maddie was taken from her bed whilst her parents dined just yards away." How about "Maddie was taken from her bed whilst her parents left their children alone in their unlocked hoilday apartment to have a meal about 200 yards away with no clear view of the apartment and allegedly not leaving once to check on them"????

There must be a reason why they're ignoring the obvious questions and me being a cynic thinks it is because they've got friends in high places. Perhaps in the line of their work (cardiologist and GP), one of them has helped a media executive or something like that but that's just me being a cynic

nickster_uk

As always Kalim, your post is full of wisdom and intellect

Terrister

Not sure what the law is elsewhere in the world, but in the US the parents would be arrested for leaving the kids alone.

Go The Power

So they should!