Would It Be Possible For Madeleine To Live A 'Normal' Life Elsewhere?

[faithlilly]

There was another case in South Africa in the 1990’s when Michaela Hunter, only 17 hours old was taken from a hospital in Johannesburg. Her kidnapper was a student and was participating in an intern programme at the hospital. She told the baby’s mother she needs her child as part of an organised university course to demonstrate bathing an infant. She took the baby and disappeared. She pretended to be pregnant until her boyfriend became suspicious when she arrived home with a newborn. He reported it to police and Michaela was reunited with her family after two years. This is the person who took the infant.

There are so may scenarios when children are taken. That is the point I wanted to share.

Had you heard about any of these children before an intensive google search ? Compare the publicity surrounding their disappearance with that surrounding Madeleine’s.

[Robittybob1]

Had you heard about any of these children before an intensive google search ? Compare the publicity surrounding their disappearance with that surrounding Madeleine’s.

I had heard of the first one.

[Anthro]

Faithlilly, the two cases I am referring to happened in an era without facebook, twitter and other social media. I cannot compare them to the publicity Madeleine is getting. Perhaps you can? There was/is no need for me to resort to an ‘intensive google search’ concerning these cases. I am South African and at the time both were widely reported on in newspapers and other published material.

[Holly Goodhead]

Faithlilly, the two cases I am referring to happened in an era without facebook, twitter and other social media. I cannot compare them to the publicity Madeleine is getting. Perhaps you can? There was/is no need for me to resort to an ‘intensive google search’ concerning these cases. I am South African and at the time both were widely reported on in newspapers and other published material.

This case has only really been made complicated by the fact the disappearance took place in an area where the population was highly transient with a lack of surveillance.  Both of which made an abduction possible to execute and avoid detection thereafter.

[jassi]

Aye, so much so that no trace has ever been found of child or alleged abductor.

[Holly Goodhead]

I totally agree, Jassi. In my opinion, once a missing person, but especially a minor is retrieved, the real heartache begins. It becomes a no-win scenario for everyone concerned. As you say: be careful what you wish for. Perhaps the forum can theorize around the possible scenario that if Madeleine is alive and retrieved and re-united with her siblings and parents ... then what?

Strangely enough I've found myself thinking about this.  I think much would depend on how MM fared with any abductor(s).  If she has been well cared for her family, friends and the public at large might take a more lenient view with the abductor(s).  Regardless the courts will want and need to punish with a long custodial sentence.  This will mean MM suffers another traumatic separation even if she has been mistreated ie Stockholm syndrome.  The McCanns will no doubt still see MM as the nearly 4 year old she was when she disappeared when in reality she's almost an adult.  MM could feel resentful and angry about the way in which she was left.  Any abductor(s) may have raised MM differently to how the McCanns would have chosen which will inevitably cause problems.  All concerned will need a lot of expert help in coming to terms with it all and moving on.   But as KM said in the interview with Fiona Bruce (10th anniversary) the best possible outcome is that MM is found alive and well and anything else they'll deal with or words to this effect.   

[barrier]

Strangely enough I've found myself thinking about this.  I think much would depend on how MM fared with any abductor(s).  If she has been well cared for her family, friends and the public at large might take a more lenient view with the abductor(s).  Regardless the courts will want and need to punish with a long custodial sentence.  This will mean MM suffers another traumatic separation even if she has been mistreated ie Stockholm syndrome.  The McCanns will no doubt still see MM as the nearly 4 year old she was when she disappeared when in reality she's almost an adult.  MM could feel resentful and angry about the way in which she was left.  Any abductor(s) may have raised MM differently to how the McCanns would have chosen which will inevitably cause problems.  All concerned will need a lot of expert help in coming to terms with it all and moving on.   But as KM said in the interview with Fiona Bruce (10th anniversary) the best possible outcome is that MM is found alive and well and anything else they'll deal with or words to this effect.

Who is going to bring this imaginary scenario to bear SY? they have no jurisdiction in Portugal its not their case,the PJ ? what is the statute of limitations on abduction?

[jassi]

Who is going to bring this imaginary scenario to bear SY? they have no jurisdiction in Portugal its not their case,the PJ ? what is the statute of limitations on abduction?

I have wondered about this as well.
If Madeleine was discovered within UK territory, then things would be more straightforward, although it may be argued that UK have no charge to bring, depending upon circumstances.

 Outside of that, Portugal may not wish to proceed after so many years, particularly it it were to involve lengthy extradition procedures

This all assumes that Madeleine is alive and ultimately found.

[barrier]

I have wondered about this as well.
If Madeleine was discovered within UK territory, then things would be more straightforward, although it may be argued that UK have no charge to bring, depending upon circumstances.

 Outside of that, Portugal may not wish to proceed after so many years, particularly it it were to involve lengthy extradition procedures

This all assumes that Madeleine is alive and ultimately found.

Which is totally at odds with SY's activities in 2014,nothing since except a vast scaling back of man power.

[Robittybob1]

I have wondered about this as well.
If Madeleine was discovered within UK territory, then things would be more straightforward, although it may be argued that UK have no charge to bring, depending upon circumstances.

 Outside of that, Portugal may not wish to proceed after so many years, particularly it it were to involve lengthy extradition procedures

This all assumes that Madeleine is alive and ultimately found.

It seems one of the better outcomes possible.   

[barrier]

It seems one of the better outcomes possible.

It might be seen to be better,but in reality is it likely.

[Robittybob1]

It might be seen to be better,but in reality is it likely.

Yes it is. 

[Holly Goodhead]

Who is going to bring this imaginary scenario to bear SY? they have no jurisdiction in Portugal its not their case,the PJ ? what is the statute of limitations on abduction?

If such a situation arose it would depend on where MM/abductor(s) are found.  If Portugal the PJ would deal with it all single-handedly.  If they were in some other country then the PJ would have to put a case to that country's law enforcement and if they agreed then the abductor(s) would be extradited to stand trial in Portugal. 

I don't believe any statue of limitation exists in terms of abduction. 

Anyhow I think we're getting a bit ahead of ourselves here!  Any abductor(s) need to be found first!

[barrier]

If such a situation arose it would depend on where MM/abductor(s) are found.  If Portugal the PJ would deal with it all single-handedly.  If they were in some other country then the PJ would have to put a case to that country's law enforcement and if they agreed then the abductor(s) would be extradited to stand trial in Portugal. 

I don't believe any statue of limitation exists in terms of abduction. 

Anyhow I think we're getting a bit ahead of ourselves here!  Any abductor(s) need to be found first!

Ain't that the truth.

[Robittybob1]

If such a situation arose it would depend on where MM/abductor(s) are found.  If Portugal the PJ would deal with it all single-handedly.  If they were in some other country then the PJ would have to put a case to that country's law enforcement and if they agreed then the abductor(s) would be extradited to stand trial in Portugal. 

I don't believe any statue of limitation exists in terms of abduction. 

Anyhow I think we're getting a bit ahead of ourselves here!  Any abductor(s) need to be found first!

I'm sort of hoping "Madeleine" will reach out to us.  Possibly through a Facebook group.   It might be hard to recognise who is behind whatever identity she has now.