[joglynne]

I am not claiming to be a perfect parent and would not believe anyone here who claimed to be one. We have all, I am sure, taken a deep breath after something has happened that could have had a bad outcome. What has happened to Maddie and her parents is a lesson to us all to not be complacent.

I do not condone the actions of these parents. However, as I see it, Maddie was targeted by her abductor/s. What her parents did that night was give these monsters a window of opportunity. The consequences of leaving their 3 small children with no supervision is a decision they will have to live with for the rest of their lives.

Had she not been left alone that night I believe that her abductor/s would have just taken her at another time. If you can agree that she may have been targeted, and if the window of opportunity had been a few moments distraction, say on the beach, or in a crowded shop, would you still be putting the parents in the pillory whilst their child was missing? If it had happened in that way to you how would you feel if, at this stage, you were continually criticised by complete strangers who had just read about it in a newspaper or in a news broadcast?

Yes they may well have to face some form of official censure or prosecution in the future but the time is not now.

Add:
I don’t believe anyone on this thread feels that what the McCann’s did was right, arguing about the wording and timing of posts isn’t achieving anything.