Missing U.K. Girl's Parents Back Home

Parents Of 4-Year-Old Madeleine McCann Are Allowed To Leave Portugal But Remain Suspects

(CBS/AP)  A British couple named as suspects in the disappearance of their 4-year-old daughter returned to England Sunday, days after being grilled by Portuguese police about new forensic evidence authorities believe ties them to the case.

An easyJet flight carrying Kate and Gerry McCann landed at East Midlands Airport, near their central England home, at 12:15 p.m. The couple and their 2-year-old twins boarded a minivan for the trip to their home in the village of Rothley, about 100 miles north of London.

On the airport tarmac, Gerry McCann denied being involved in the disappearance of his daughter Madeleine and said the events of the past few days had been deeply disturbing.

"Whilst it is heartbreaking to return to the U.K. without Madeleine, it does not mean we are giving up the search for her," he said.

"We have played no part in the disappearance of our lovely daughter Madeleine," he added.

Relatives say there is no way the McCanns could be involved in their daughter's disappearance.

"The suggestion from the Portuguese police that in some way they were responsible for the death of little Madeleine, a little girl they're absolutely devoted to, is absolutely nonsense," close relative Brian Kelly told CBS News correspondent Elizabeth Palmer.

Madeleine's grandmother, Susan Healy, is also supportive.

"Our daughter and her husband are in no way involved in the disappearance of Madeleine," she said.

On Friday, Portuguese police named the McCanns as suspects in the May 3 disappearance of their daughter, but did not confiscate their passports or restrict their movements.

As the plane took off from Faro in southern Portugal, family spokeswoman Justine McGuinness read out a brief statement, saying the McCanns were "returning to Britain after careful thought" and in order to allow their other children a more normal life.

"Their heartfelt plea is that the search for Madeleine should continue and that people should continue to remain vigilant," McGuinness said, adding that the couple wished they could say more, but were barred under Portuguese law.

Gerry McCann said he and his wife had returned home "with the full agreement of the Portuguese authorities and police." The McCanns have said they will be available to return to Portugal for questioning if needed.

Portuguese police spokesman Olegario Sousa told The Associated Press the McCanns didn't need official authorization to travel because they had provided authorities with their home address so that they could be contacted.

He said if they intend to be away from home for more than five consecutive days they must tell Portuguese authorities where they will be reachable.

Sousa said the police investigation "is not over by any means."

"The investigation will only end when we think the case file is complete and we hand our findings to the Public Prosecutor," who then decides whether to drop the case or bring charges, he said.

British Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said authorities are still working to locate the missing girl.

"This is a difficult situation, it's an ongoing investigation, but I'm confident that we share the objective of finding Madeleine and that's the most important thing," Smith said.

The McCanns say Madeleine vanished from a hotel room in southern Portugal's Algarve region, where she and her siblings were sleeping, while her parents ate dinner at a nearby restaurant.

Until Friday, suspicion had centered on Robert Murat, a British man who lived near the hotel from which Madeleine disappeared, and who was the only formal suspect. No charges have ever been brought against him, and he has said he is innocent.

The case took a turn in recent days, after police said new forensic tests done on evidence gathered months after the girl vanished found traces of blood in the couple's car. The traces of blood, apparently missed in earlier forensic tests, were uncovered by sniffer dogs brought from Britain.

The McCanns had vowed not to leave Portugal until their daughter was found. But that stance seems to have changed even before police named them as suspects.

Gerry McCann said in a newspaper interview he was concerned their treatment indicated Portuguese police were under intense pressure to solve the case.

"We thought we were in our worst nightmare but now it just keeps getting worse and worse," he was quoted as saying in an interview with the Sunday newspaper The News of the World.

"We're desperate to get back for the kids' sake and emotional reasons," he was quoted as saying. "It's not that we're running away."

Gerry McCann's sister, Philomena, has said police had proposed a plea bargain, suggesting the girl might have been killed accidentally and offering the mother a limited sentence if she confessed.

The couple's ordeal has drawn attention around the world, partly because of an unprecedented international campaign they led to find their daughter.

The McCanns have toured Europe with photos of Madeleine and the child's stuffed animals and clothing, even meeting with Pope Benedict XVI at the Vatican. Celebrities including children's author J.K. Rowling and soccer star David Beckham made public appeals that helped the family raise more than $2 million.

Associated Press Writers Rob Harris, Barry Hatton and Paul Haven in Portugal contributed to this report.

[eggy1620]

Munchausen by proxy. These parents wanted to become celebrities.

[whatithink-2009]

I think it''s perfectly normal to suspect the parents when a child goes missing. I was surprised that the media made it almost sacrilegious to even bring up the thought in this case. I''m also surpised that many people are blaming the police. Regardless of who is responsible for her disappearance, the parents are at least partially to blame (if not, fully to blame).

[asor1-2009]

Several years ago a small boy "disappeared" while supposedly shopping with his mother in a Detroit suburban mall. Video cameras showed NO sign of him at the mall with her, EVER, during the time she was there. He "disappeared".
How is this possible?
Parents are the only way a child can really disappear, maybe, huh?

[dumbbeotchs]

I am surprised at how calm the parent''s have been since Madeleline disappeared. I would be a mess in more ways than one. Do they live on another planet? I would not THINK of leaving my 4 and 2 year old twins BY THEMSELVES in a hotel room or any place else for that matter and they did it just to eat at that. They claim they checked on them frequently. Why go to eat if you have to keep leaving the table and cannot enjoy your meal. Something is rotten in Portugal! The fact that any person, especially a child is missing or has had harm done to them breaks my heart. If the parent''s had anything to do with little Madeleine''s demise, prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law. Just my 99 cents!

[drinuk]

eggy1620, You are some piece of crud, what sort of mind comes up with such stupid statements. Did you forget your pills today ??

The Portuguese Police are now doing what they should have done months ago but only after the British police explained to them just how a forensic investigation works!! Sadly a thousand doors have been closed since the child''s disappearance, the trail is now so cold they have little alternative but to start all over and rightly investigate both parents. They are however grasping at straws and not unlike the other British child who was snatched in Greece some years ago, I fear she will now not be found.

[whatithink-2009]

drinuk,

IF the parents didn''t do it, they are still the responsible for leaving the children in the apartment alone. The Portuguese Police should not be on trial, if you are not willing to put the parents on trial.

[drinuk]

DumbBeotchs. Both of the parents are Physicians, professional people and obviously accustomed to pain and tragedy, they have simply carried their pain in a professional manner for the benefit of their two remaining children.

That aside, European TV have on occasions shown both of them extremely distraught, You are quite wrong at this juncture to express your preemptive and unfounded opinions publicly. There but for the Grace of God Go All of Us. Hopefully you will never have to suffer as these parents are, for whatever reason. Until we know, if ever, the child''s fate, we should all have enough charity to offer hope and sympathy and not Snide comment.

[whatithink-2009]

drinuk,

If we are wrong to assume they are guilty, you are wrong to assume they are innocent. In fact, they are guilty of something at the minimum - stupidity of leaving their children alone.

Recently, two women in PA left their children alone and there was a fire. All the children died. Both women are now in jail.

So, by that account, these two parents have gotten off lucky.

[drinuk]

Whatithink, I take your point fully and I also understand the parents too, from their table they were twenty five yards from the apartment door they were facing, Sadly not the "Forced" bedroom shutter.
Hand on heart, we have All taken risks with our children''s safety, for various reasons, even leaving them alone with a Pet dog.

If innocent they will live with that for the rest of their lives. Now let us await the outcome.

[drinuk]

Whatithink, I am not assuming one way or the other and agree, they were out of order leaving the children alone in a strange country and location. That is a whole different matter in law and I''m sure will be dealt with.

I REPEAT, The police were at the least very slow to respond AND it was at the suggestion of British police that proper forensic investigation took place, that was TWO weeks ago, here or in the UK it would have been done in hours not Months.

[whatithink-2009]

drinuk,

I''m still not sure why we are putting the Portuguese police on trial. Portugal is definitely a poorer country than the UK or the US. However, from what I''ve read, more man hours have gone into this missing case than any local case.

What I read on UK sites is basically: the parents are innocent, shame on the police for questioning them, it is all the police''s fault.

I think this is wrong, too.

[rfcnj68]

Drinuk, are you out of your mind, I would never have left my kinds home alone espcially at four and two.

How were they checking on them a phone call or physically going back to the room?

I do not believe they did anything to their own child but they are guilty of negligence. Never, never, leave your children alone espcially at that age you are inviting problems.

[cryonbrian]

Nothing new about White folks killing their children! Next story.....please!

[whatithink-2009]

"I do not believe they did anything to their own child...
Posted by rfcnj68"

How would anyone know this, for sure? Anything is possible. We don''t know what is going on in the heads of anyone. Most children are killed by a loved one, not a complete stranger. Why would it be such a unbelievable thing in this case?

[whatithink-2009]

cryonbrian,

I''m not sure if you are real or a troll trying to start a long thread of racist rebuttals? Nonetheless, I will not bit the racist rebuttal bait. I will just say to you that anyone can kill their child. Anyone. Most children are killed by loved ones...regardless of color.

[jetlizhan]

as a parent, i hope and pray this couple is innocent - i cannot imagine having a hand in the disappearance/murder of your own child. and if they are totally innocent of any knowledge of these horrendous accusations, God help them get through this. however, i''m not saying the judicial system is always right, but they wouldn''t point fingers unless they had some kind of evidence. who knows. it''s just wait and see at this point.

[nishaboston]

I had a feeling they were involved. For you people saying you dont believe they did it, get real there are parents that do harm to their child all the time.

[wiccantexan]

My question is, how could the child''s blood show up in a car that was rented 25 days AFTER she disappeared? Was she still alive at that point, and murdered after her "abduction?" I don''t get that part. Anyone like to pick it apart?

[cat1dog5075]

Doctors are usually smart people - They both are doctors yet they leave a four year old and two year old twins alone in a hotel room while they go out to dinner - That is like these people who lock their kids in the car while they gamble at the casino or party

[eggy1620]

WiccanTexan: The article stated only %u201CDNA evidence was found. . .%u201D, not necessarily the girl%u2019s blood. DNA evidence can be anything from anyone. Who knows what the parents did with each other in the back seat of that car!

[opedanderson]

Remember Polly Klass? Her father went to the police immediately and demanded they do whatever they need to do ie. polygraphing, dna testing etc with him in order to eliminate him as a suspect. This is because he wanted them to concentrate on finding the real killer. Parents are ALWAYS suspects. More children die at the hands of their parents than any other source. (car accidents, home accidents, and crimes) Stranger danger makes great headlines but it is extremely rare. Remember Jon Benet? No one close to the case at least believes the parents know more than they admitted to.....maybe they didnt kill her but.....I think it''s the same thing here.......

[wiccantexan]

eggy1620, other news stations are reporting that the child''s blood was found in the vehicle.

[jwk2007]

was this child found dead. why does the artical indicate "childs death/daugthers death" rather than "dissapearence"?

"Portuguese police had alleged that Kate McCann might have been involved in her daughter''s death."

"They believe they have evidence to show that in some way she is involved in the death of her daughter"

[wiccantexan]

From CNN: "Police on Friday named Madeleine McCann''s mother Kate a suspect in her disappearance, and said the girl''s blood was found in a vehicle the family rented 25 days after reporting her disappearance, according to a family spokeswoman.

Madeleine McCann''s blood was found in a car her parents rented 25 days after they reported her disappearance, Justine McGuiness told CNN."

This is also being reported by MSNBC and other news outlets.

[nlm2383]

I agree whatithink. The parents have take at least part of the blame. Who leaves such young children by themselves? I don''t care if they were "checking up on them frequently". They should have either had someone to watch them or stayed with them. 4 and 2 are far too young to be alone. I personally don''t think the parents were involved, but like someone said, they ended up nowhere and have to start over. Interviewing the parents can''t do any harm...

[eggy1620]

Why on earth would the family spokesperson be volunteering that information to the media? Unless even the family no longer believes the parents%u2019 story.

[ronaldstark]

3 words...Lie Detector Test.

[wiccantexan]

UPDATE in article: "The girl''s aunt said police suggested 4-year-old Madeleine might have been killed accidentally. The allegations related to traces of blood found in a car rented by Kate and Gerry McCann, according to Justine McGuinness, a family spokeswoman."

The spokesperson is only relating the facts at hand. It doesn''t mean that the family no longer believes them.

[jwk2007]

I AGREE WITH EVERYONE WHO THINKS THE PARENTS ARE AT FAULT. I DONT EVEN GO DOWNSTAIRS WHEN MY 1 YR OLD IS SLEEPING UPSTAIRS. I FIND THINGS TO DO UP THERE WHILE SHE IS SLEEPING. IT MIGHT BECAUSE I AM PARANOID FAIRLY NEW MOM, OR IT COULD JUST BECAUSE I FLAT OUT GIVE A ***.

[tomflint69]

The strange thing is that why the parents would kill their own baby angel????? why would they hide even if it was an accident?

[pared1]

WOW straight to guilty and forget the trial I see from the comments here.

What happened to the justice system?

[whatithink-2009]

pared1,

This is no different than in any other case. In fact, in some cases you can be found innocent and still assumed to be guilty.

[nolalou]

whatithink,

If you think loosing a child is ''getting of lightly'' you are a total IDIOT! Agreed that they should not have left the children in the room, but the restaurant was at a the resort where they were staying, and was 50 yards away from their room. That would be similar to leaving a child in his or her room., while the parents were out in the back yard! I''m not saying what they did was right, but under the circumstances, I can understand it. They just didn''t feel their children were as risk, and in hindsight, they should have !

As far as them being declared suspects, I''m curious to hear what information the Portuguese Police have, or if they are just frustrated with the case, and grabbing at straws.

[tnt1954]

i suspect no one and everyone. it might have
been the police themselves, they are paid
so little. its'' a mad, mad world. of course
it might have something to do with those telephone
threats from portugal to wal-mart and other
pirate stores. funny how so much merchandise
that is sold, is stolen. best way to make
a profit is to steal, then sell. just cut
out the middlemen. but then again it might
be the birth family who did this. they
wanted their kid they gave up for adoption back.
or it might be nuns near fatima, portugal
who need a hostage, to fund the nunnery.
but, that''s life, and as they say, life ain''t fair.

[whatithink-2009]

nolalou,

Yes, I do believe that they are getting off lightly. It is similar to the two cases were the two fathers left their children in a hot car - one was sent to jail for ten years and the other was never charged. The latter GOT OFF lightly.

Say what you want, we all have responsibilities as parents. Stupidity knows no education level. There are mistakes and then there is neglect. You don''t leave a two and four year old in a strange place alone.

Period.

[msfacesun-2009]

The article didn''t say it was the girl''s blood, just traces of blood. Quote the article right, or don''t quote it at all!!

[whatithink-2009]

This WAS reported on CNN:

"Madeleine McCann''s blood was found in a car her parents rented 25 days after they reported her disappearance, Justine McGuiness told CNN."

http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/europe/09/07/madeleine.mccann/

[dredre2k]

Why is this the top headline? There are children that go missing in the US every day under mysterious circumstances. I hope this doesn''t become another Jon Benet Ramsey case.

[crystalblue3]

I don''t get the same feeling I had when it was Susan Smith, or many of the other child killers. Does anyone here remember the Dowalaby case? They were accused, everyone thought they ddi it...then it came out later they were innocent all along.

Either way, it IS going to turn into another Jon Benet...you watch.

[wiccantexan]

Why is this the top headline? There are children that go missing in the US every day under mysterious circumstances.
Posted by dredre2k at 11:21 AM : Sep 07, 2007

The child went missing in Portuegal, and she''s not a U.S. citizen. It''s a top headline because the parents and supporters have worked to make the case visible in the media.

[dascalv]

All of you that are leaning towards the parents'' implication in their daughter''s disappearance are ignoring an important point: Why on earth would they mount this enormous, global campaign for help in finding their daughter if they harmed/killed her (accidentally or not) in some way?? It''s completely illogical and makes no sense. They''ve been so public all over Europe and even came to the U.S. to beg for anyone with any information to come forward. With 2 year old twins to consider, and both of them being physicians with presumably busy work lives, it makes no sense for them to put their lives on hold and stay in Portugal with the twins while secretly knowing all the while that they''re simply perpetuating some elaborate ruse to throw everybody off. Why would you call so much attention to yourself if you had something to do with it? I would think that, if that were the case, then they would have just gone back to the U.K. and waited out the investigation by the Portuguese police, assuming that they would bungle it. Even though statistics show that a family member is the usual culprit, it just doesn''t make sense in this case. I think the police''s first theory of the girl being taken perhaps by a sexual predator is the most likely scenario. I have a four year old girl, and I''m telling you, the anguish that these people are experiencing cannot be a facade. Not anguish b/c they''re guilty, but the pain from not knowing what''s happened to your baby.

[lauraboo6]

This is in response to dascalv : I understand your point, but I think it has happened a number of times that perpetrators have made a big public show of being upset and desperate to find the missing peson, and then have turned out to be guilty. (The case that comes to mind for me is Scott Peterson, who murdered his wife, Lacy.)

[wiccantexan]

dascalv, I understand where you''re coming from, but a media blitz can sometimes be the best way to distract attention. Just look at OJ''s reaction after Nicole/Ron''s murder. I''m sure there are other cases, especially involving children, where the unthinkable was right under everyone''s nose.

For now, they are innocent until proven guilty in my eyes. There are many reasons why they are being put on the suspect list, from actual hard evidence to taking down the guard of a suspect not named publicly. We''ll just have to watch and wait.

[wiccantexan]

lauraboo6, good points. There are numerous instances of child abductors/killers actually taking an active part in the search process, all the while knowing the child''s fate and body location.

[dascalv]

True, a very visible campaign looking for the guilty party has been done by many a guilty party themselves. However, OJ had a history of violence towards women, among many other deplorable traits. And Scott Peterson also had several skeletons in his closet, the biggest being that he was having an affair and planning a new future with another woman. Since it''s been many months since this child has gone missing, one would think that if there was any dirt to be dug up on this family, it would have already been found out by now. Not saying that there''s not a first for everything, but usually if there is more than one person involved, one of them would break or their stories would have inconsistencies. I haven''t seen that here.

And b/t/w - to snidegrass: please stop printing your seemingly drug-induced dribble on this posting site. It''s getting irritating.

[susieq_13]

I hope and pray the girls'' parents have nothing to do with her disappearance. I hope they are able to find the girl safe and sound.

[goddesspryzm]

Munchausen by proxy is when the parents hurt the child to get constant attention by doctors.. they don''t kill the child they make the kid sick, do things so the kid needs to go to doctor or ER all the time so the mom gets confirmation that she''s being taken seriously and its a bit of a self esteem high fo them.
i sincerely hope these parents were not involved..2 doctors of all... and to be ina resort where the kids are in bed and you are in a restaurant.most resorts offer nanny services where someone on staff will come up and watch the kids while adults have adult time. sooo this is what happens when you cut corners on child care. i do think this lil gal is dead. and if you are asking why would they bring all this attention onto themselves or for folks to look for the lil one.. does Susan Smith ring any bells.. she put herkids in their car seats and let the car go into the lake.. and then accused a black man of carjacking...all while bawling and screaming mamma loves you baby bring my babies back...all because the man she loved didn''t wanna raise another mans children...soo yes they could be involved and raising all this attention to get the attention off themselves.
whatever happens, it makes you draw your own children closer and know that within seconds your child could be taken from a shopping cart while u turn ur back to get something off the shelf.. while you are side tracked with doing something else and then wher is the kid..

[swwils]

If the little girl was accidentally killed then why would they not tell the police that,instead of the possible abduction.Either way it is a terrible thing to happen.If the mother is at fault they will find out eventually.

[soldat44]

Just wanted to point out that the girl''''s father is wearing a very interesting shirt. If my little girl went missing, printing up neat, colorful t-shirts for myself to wear would be the LAST thing I''''d be doing. Almost like he''''s putting on a show to let people see how hard he''''s searching for her.
...
Posted by mormonman1 at 12:32 PM : Sep 07, 2007

I couldn''t agree more.

Suffer the little children...(Mark 10:14)

[nishaboston]

Portugal I agree with you.

There are missing children all over the world, but this little girl get all the headlines when it is a great possiblity her own parents did harm to her. It is not far. But lets be honest this is a cute blond hair white girl that went missing. Her parents were well off etc...This is made for headline stories. So sad the news does ont pay attention to other missing children.