Abducted girl

Pebs · 09-05-2007, 17:07

This is prompted by a discussion on another forum principally made up of women. The general opinion seems to be that the parents are entirely to blame for this for leaving their children unattended. My understanding is that they were a roads width away from the apartment, there were baby listening devices but they were out of range. I havent read much about it to be honest, the headlines alone have made my blood run cold, especially todays saying it's likely to be sexually motivated.

Personally, I don't think what the parents did was totally unreasonable. What is it they say, hindsight is always in 20/20 vision or something, but I would have probably done the same, I don't really see it's hugely different to being out in a garden with kids upstairs asleep. There are other parents here, would you have left them?

Whether I agree with their actions or not, I can't begin to imagine the nightmare those poor people are living now, especially with every new sensational headline. Everything crossed for Madelaines quick and safe recovery.

Admiral Huddy · 09-05-2007, 17:12

I disagree. Although I see your point Hotels, appartments abroad etc are completely different and with the amount of comings and goings it's difficult to pickout an individual as acting suspicious. Therefore, it's unlikely that anyone would have noticed anything. I do in this case blame the parents for acting inappropriately. They are in a strange place, plenty of strangers around.

(don't smack me for disagreeing with you will you

)

Desmo · 09-05-2007, 17:15

From the pictures I've seen, it was more than a roads width apart. But like you, I've not seen or read a whole lot about this so I might be wrong.

I don't think I'd leave my kids that distance away at their age, especially in a foreign country where I don't know the area.

The other thing that's bothering me a little is the way the parents are being treated. It seems that because they're doctors they're being given an easy ride by many. You can bet your life that if it had been Mr and Mrs Chav on the dole with 15 kids there'd have been far greater uproar.

Haly · 09-05-2007, 17:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Desmo

The other things that's bothering me a little is the way the parents are being treated. It seems that because they're doctors they're being given an easy ride by many. You can bet your life that if it had been Mr and Mrs Chav on the dole with 15 kids there'd have been far greater uproar.

That's exactly what I thought.
I don't think I could leave my kids in a situation like that either, especially not in a foreign country.

I hope they manage to find the girl safe and soon.

Piggymon · 09-05-2007, 17:57

If I was in the UK then I might have thought about it but abroad ? no chance .. it's an unknown entity.

At least if something happened here you'd be able to call the police right away and speak in your native tongue.

I'm not totally blaming the parents, they must be going through hell right now but I think they made a bad choice. It's not like they were in the hotel bar in the same building they were in a totally seperate part of an open complex !

Really hope they find the little one safe and sound.

Mark · 09-05-2007, 18:17

I'd certainly be wary, but then I'm wary enough of my own safety never mind anyone else's. I have, for example, observed parents leaving their children while at theme parks - while at SeaWorld last week I saw one mum leave her stroller in the middle of a walkway to go off and find a rubbish bin. Nothing came of it but it's that sort of thing that scares me far more than children in an apartment.

However, would it have been any different if the parents were in the apartment asleep when their child was taken? It's a sad fact that even when at home in the UK children have been taken under those circumstances. There are plenty of sensible precations you can take, but watching over your children 24/7 whether or not on holiday would seem to be impossible.

Roberta · 09-05-2007, 18:32

Would I have left them? - not if there was a babysitting service or drop in creche no. I don't think they're terrible and to blame but I do think they should have been more cautious.

Mark · 09-05-2007, 19:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by kitten_caboodle

I'm afraid I think it would. Whoever it was knew the parents were not there - probably saw them checking and leaving the kids and came to that baby for that precise reason. The fact that there were 3 and she was the only one taken strikes me they knew who they were going for.

That's entirely possible, in fact, I agree that's the most likely situation. However, that would also suggest some element of premeditation, and if that's the case, then the parents obviously not being there was little more than a convenience (if you're that determined, you'll find a way regardless).

Quote:

It may have happened anyway, but with an in-complex facility for babysitting/creche, I think they could have been more cautious, as Roberta said.

Can't disagree with that point. Facilities like that are there for good reason and they should be used.

There's a lot in this we don't know - was the person(s) responsible just looking to snatch a child at random, and if so, then why that child and not the other two, or was there some planning to this with that child in particular being the goal.

Either way I'd suggest that blaming the parents doesn't seem appropriate. How many parents here, without the benefit of hindsight, would anticipate their children being snatched while on holiday, and who is to say that a child could not have been snatched from whatever childminding facilities were provided? (I don't argue that it would be less likely, but not impossible)

Dymetrie · 09-05-2007, 20:17

There was a discussion in the office today about this. Pretty much everyone is a parent (other than me of course) and everyone agreed that they wouldn't have left their child(ren) like that.

I don't know, chances are (and you can pretty much guarantee this) I'll never know.

I don't think it's completely the fault of the parents. I doubt they were bad 'we don't give a **** about our kids' parents (unlike some I have met) and feel for them as it's an absolutely disgusting situation they are now in.

I am inclined, to some extent, to blame the society we currently live in which seems to have created people who I wouldn't even class as part of the human race. I mean, I know that I'm a pretty cold, hedonistic b'stard, but stuff like this is just wrong

Nutcase · 09-05-2007, 20:28

Ultimately, the people or person to blame is whoever snatched the poor mite. But I can't help but think that as her parents left her to go out for a meal they are at least partially responsible. I don't think it's a case of neglect, but not fully considering the risks.

We'll probably never know, but if the child was in her own room, she may still have been snatched if the parents were just next door. Unlikely but possible - there was the case of the girl snatched from the bath in England not too long ago.

09-05-2007, 17:07	#1
Pebs Easymouth Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 6,716	Abducted girl This is prompted by a discussion on another forum principally made up of women. The general opinion seems to be that the parents are entirely to blame for this for leaving their children unattended. My understanding is that they were a roads width away from the apartment, there were baby listening devices but they were out of range. I havent read much about it to be honest, the headlines alone have made my blood run cold, especially todays saying it's likely to be sexually motivated. Personally, I don't think what the parents did was totally unreasonable. What is it they say, hindsight is always in 20/20 vision or something, but I would have probably done the same, I don't really see it's hugely different to being out in a garden with kids upstairs asleep. There are other parents here, would you have left them? Whether I agree with their actions or not, I can't begin to imagine the nightmare those poor people are living now, especially with every new sensational headline. Everything crossed for Madelaines quick and safe recovery. __________________ ...faster you naughty little monkey! Running through hell, heaven can wait!

09-05-2007, 17:12	#2
Admiral Huddy HOMO-Sapien Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Chelmsford Posts: 6,692	I disagree. Although I see your point Hotels, appartments abroad etc are completely different and with the amount of comings and goings it's difficult to pickout an individual as acting suspicious. Therefore, it's unlikely that anyone would have noticed anything. I do in this case blame the parents for acting inappropriately. They are in a strange place, plenty of strangers around. (don't smack me for disagreeing with you will you ) __________________ I just got lost in thought.. It was very unfamiliar territory. Techie Talk \| My gaming Blog \| PC spec \| The Admirals log

09-05-2007, 17:15	#3
Desmo The Last Airbender Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Pigmopad Posts: 11,915	From the pictures I've seen, it was more than a roads width apart. But like you, I've not seen or read a whole lot about this so I might be wrong. I don't think I'd leave my kids that distance away at their age, especially in a foreign country where I don't know the area. The other thing that's bothering me a little is the way the parents are being treated. It seems that because they're doctors they're being given an easy ride by many. You can bet your life that if it had been Mr and Mrs Chav on the dole with 15 kids there'd have been far greater uproar. __________________

09-05-2007, 17:57	#5
Piggymon Lara Croft Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: PigmoPad - Braintree Essex Posts: 8,604	If I was in the UK then I might have thought about it but abroad ? no chance .. it's an unknown entity. At least if something happened here you'd be able to call the police right away and speak in your native tongue. I'm not totally blaming the parents, they must be going through hell right now but I think they made a bad choice. It's not like they were in the hotel bar in the same building they were in a totally seperate part of an open complex ! Really hope they find the little one safe and sound. __________________ BF% 28/08/08 - 21%

09-05-2007, 18:32	#7
Roberta Pole Model Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 5,986	Would I have left them? - not if there was a babysitting service or drop in creche no. I don't think they're terrible and to blame but I do think they should have been more cautious. __________________ I fell out of favour with Heaven somewhere, and I'm here for the hell of it now...

09-05-2007, 18:17	#6
Mark Screaming Orgasm Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Newbury Posts: 15,194	I'd certainly be wary, but then I'm wary enough of my own safety never mind anyone else's. I have, for example, observed parents leaving their children while at theme parks - while at SeaWorld last week I saw one mum leave her stroller in the middle of a walkway to go off and find a rubbish bin. Nothing came of it but it's that sort of thing that scares me far more than children in an apartment. However, would it have been any different if the parents were in the apartment asleep when their child was taken? It's a sad fact that even when at home in the UK children have been taken under those circumstances. There are plenty of sensible precations you can take, but watching over your children 24/7 whether or not on holiday would seem to be impossible.

09-05-2007, 20:17	#9
Dymetrie A large glass of Merlot Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Letchworth with a Lightsaber Posts: 5,819	There was a discussion in the office today about this. Pretty much everyone is a parent (other than me of course) and everyone agreed that they wouldn't have left their child(ren) like that. I don't know, chances are (and you can pretty much guarantee this) I'll never know. I don't think it's completely the fault of the parents. I doubt they were bad 'we don't give a **** about our kids' parents (unlike some I have met) and feel for them as it's an absolutely disgusting situation they are now in. I am inclined, to some extent, to blame the society we currently live in which seems to have created people who I wouldn't even class as part of the human race. I mean, I know that I'm a pretty cold, hedonistic b'stard, but stuff like this is just wrong __________________ Khef, Ka and Ka-Tet.... Last edited by Dymetrie; 09-05-2007 at 20:22.

09-05-2007, 20:28	#10
Nutcase Moonshine Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Chelmsford, innit! Posts: 3,979	Ultimately, the people or person to blame is whoever snatched the poor mite. But I can't help but think that as her parents left her to go out for a meal they are at least partially responsible. I don't think it's a case of neglect, but not fully considering the risks. We'll probably never know, but if the child was in her own room, she may still have been snatched if the parents were just next door. Unlikely but possible - there was the case of the girl snatched from the bath in England not too long ago.