The question of sedation

[AnneGuedes]

Even in 5 minutes, unlikely. Hence once more the need to reconstruct..
Reading Mo Stache, I can't help imagining a cartoon strip. But something real happened. And the modus operandi is crucial.

[John]

It's an excellent question

We have to allow for entry to the apartment, the sedation of three children,  the opening of the shutters and window,  the lifting and removal of Madeleine  (  I hate typing that ) and then the exit of the apartment, through the carpark and out across the road  ...  all in three minutes

Could it be done ?

Why three Icabodcrane?  Surely the twins would have been well out of it anyway?

[sadie]

It's an excellent question

We have to allow for entry to the apartment, the sedation of three children,  the opening of the shutters and window,  the lifting and removal of Madeleine  (  I hate typing that ) and then the exit of the apartment, through the carpark and out across the road  ...  all in three minutes

Could it be done ?

Three minutes?  Are you saying that Gerry and Jez only chatted for three minutes?  Are you sure?

[icabodcrane]

Why three Icabodcrane?  Surely the twins would have been well out of it anyway?

Well you'd think so wouldn't you John ?

I have always wondered why any abductor would sedate  already sleeping children

But the McCanns think they did

[sadie]

Well you'd think so wouldn't you John ?

I have always wondered why any abductor would sedate  already sleeping children

But the McCanns think they did

seems they might have been sedated at teatime from reports that they were too tired to play that night before bed.  Their usual routine was to join the other tapas kids at the play area for a while, but too tired that night.

[icabodcrane]

Three minutes?  Are you saying that Gerry and Jez only chatted for three minutes?  Are you sure?

That's what Gerry says in his statement  ...  3 to 4 minutes

Given that they they were still   in  conversation when Jane saw the man carrying a child,  I think a three minute window for the abductor is a fair allowance

[Benice]

Well you'd think so wouldn't you John ?

I have always wondered why any abductor would sedate  already sleeping children

But the McCanns think they did

They 'wondered 'whether they did - which is not the same as being sure they did.  The tests carried out later indicated that the twins had not been sedated.

[Benice]

That's what Gerry says in his statement  ...  3 to 4 minutes

Given that they they were still   in  conversation when Jane saw the man carrying a child,  I think a three minute window for the abductor is a fair allowance

Jez Wilkins said 3 to 5 minutes.  If JT passed  them only a few seconds before they went on their way - then that gives a time nearer 4/5 mins than 3.   

[Mrs. B]

Well you'd think so wouldn't you John ?

I have always wondered why any abductor would sedate  already sleeping children

But the McCanns think they did

Yes, naturally, they are speculating, just as the rest of us are, as they don't KNOW exactly what happened, that's the only thing they, and we, CAN do.

[AnneGuedes]

Observing isn't speculating, though.
The twins were "abnormally" (the fact both were is in itself indicative) sleeping, as their mother was the first to notice : she, according to Mrs Payne, many times checked their breathing.
Why would one sedate sleeping children ? Icabodcrane is very right.
Where we come back to the old idea that these kids were given some mild sedation. It's not a crime, but the parents denied. Dead end.
The modus operandi would indicate how much time was needed. Not much if Mo Stache's hypothesis was the one. But it supposes some kind of violence, not really compatible with the state of Madeleine's bed.

[faithlilly]

seems they might have been sedated at teatime from reports that they were too tired to play that night before bed.  Their usual routine was to join the other tapas kids at the play area for a while, but too tired that night.

The other tapas children didn't go to the play area either, did they ? AFAIR they went from the Paraiso to the tennis courts then on to their apartments.

[icabodcrane]

seems they might have been sedated at teatime from reports that they were too tired to play that night before bed.  Their usual routine was to join the other tapas kids at the play area for a while, but too tired that night.

Where do you get the idea that the twins were  'to tired'  to play before bed  ?

Kate just says they were all ready for bed and seemed content with their books, and that she decided they were probably past the stage of needing any more activity

The only other mention she makes of deciding not to take the children to the play area is this :

"She looked so pale and worn out, I went straight up to her and asked if she was all right. Had she been OK at the club when Ella left to go to the beach ? Yes, she sai, but now she was really tired and wanted me to pick her up, which I did. Ten minutes later, the five of us went back to our apartment. I was carrying Madeleine. Because she was so exhausted we skipped playtime that evening"

I can see no evidence that the twins  were behaving in any way different than usual.  There is no mention of them being tired that I can find