Why Madeleine ?

[faithlilly]

Why do posters feel that Madeleine was particularly targeted ? Bridget O'Donnell describes not being able to point Madeleine out during the min tennis because all the little girls were blonde and pink so why take the chance of particularly targeting a very, we are told, talkative nearly four year old who would be able to identify herself when the abductor had all manner of blonde, pretty girls to chose from, not least Madeleine's very similar younger sister ?

[sadie]

Why do posters feel that Madeleine was particularly targeted ? Bridget O'Donnell describes not being able to point Madeleine out during the min tennis because all the little girls were blonde and pink so why take the chance of particularly targeting a very, we are told, talkative nearly four year old who would be able to identify herself when the abductor had all manner of blonde, pretty girls to chose from, not least Madeleine's very similar younger sister ?

That flat was unexpectedly vulnerable with good watching points.  The front door being so dark and out of sight, was a gift to any abductor, or burglar for that matter.

Additionally Madeleine had a vibrant personality and sense of fun, that might have attracted.

Truly, i dont think any of us can know, "why Madeleine", apart from these two observations.

[faithlilly]

That flat was unexpectedly vulnerable with good watching points.  The front door being so dark and out of sight, was a gift to any abductor, or burglar for that matter.

Additionally Madeleine had a vibrant personality and sense of fun, that might have attracted.

Truly, i dont think any of us can know, "why Madeleine", apart from these two observations.

Surely a confident, talkative little girl would be the last thing an abductor would want if she was supposed to be assimilated into a new family ?

[AnneGuedes]

Surely a confident, talkative little girl would be the last thing an abductor would want if she was supposed to be assimilated into a new family ?

Some argue that brainwashing would resolve the problem. Why target easy (Amélie) if you can target tricky ?

[John]

Why do posters feel that Madeleine was particularly targeted ? Bridget O'Donnell describes not being able to point Madeleine out during the min tennis because all the little girls were blonde and pink so why take the chance of particularly targeting a very, we are told, talkative nearly four year old who would be able to identify herself when the abductor had all manner of blonde, pretty girls to chose from, not least Madeleine's very similar younger sister ?

A good question Faithlilly, why indeed?

Assuming for a moment that she was abducted my own thoughts on this are that she was chosen because she was beyond the baby stage but still at an age where she could be integrated into a family without much trouble.  After a short period of time she wouldn't even remember her real parents.

[AnneGuedes]

still at an age where she could be integrated into a family without much trouble.  After a short period of time she wouldn't even remember her real parents.

No, John, Amélie perhaps, but not Madeleine.

[Eleanor]

Separating twins would not have been a good idea emotionally.  And abducting a baby in nappies would have added to the problems.  And besides Amelie's hair was nearly white blonde.

[faithlilly]

Separating twins would not have been a good idea emotionally.  And abducting a baby in nappies would have added to the problems.  And besides Amelie's hair was nearly white blonde.

Are you really trying to suggest any alleged abductor would be the least bit concerned with the child's emotional state. Amelie, at her age,  would have been barely aware that she had been taken and would certainly be unable to refer vocally to her former life, Madeleine would.

[Lace]

Obviously Madeleine was what was wanted.    A little blonde fair haired girl of about four.

[faithlilly]

Obviously Madeleine was what was wanted.    A little blonde fair haired girl of about four.

But there seems to have been quite a few small girls of that type at the OC that week, if Bridget O'Donnell is to be believed, so why Madeleine ?

 And why a four year old who would be very hard to assimilate into an existing family ?

[Lace]

But there seems to have been quite a few small girls of that type at the OC that week, if Bridget O'Donnell is to be believed, so why Madeleine ?

 And why a four year old who would be very hard to assimilate into an existing family ?

Madeleine was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Sometimes parents want to replace a child.   Or they don't want to go through the baby stage.

Some people here in Britain adopt an older child rather than a baby.

[Eleanor]

Are you really trying to suggest any alleged abductor would be the least bit concerned with the child's emotional state. Amelie, at her age,  would have been barely aware that she had been taken and would certainly be unable to refer vocally to her former life, Madeleine would.

Any family who wanted a child would have been concerned with added emotional problems.  Twins have a bond that is beyond that which exists between siblings.
And of course, a baby would have been much more likely to scream it's head off in transit.  Not to mention the changing of nappies.

Why are you so rude when someone puts forward a suggestion?

[faithlilly]

Madeleine was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Sometimes parents want to replace a child.   Or they don't want to go through the baby stage.

Some people here in Britain adopt an older child rather than a baby.

We are talking about an abduction, not an adoption where it wouldn't be matter if the child talked about her natural parents. Madeleine also had a recognisable eye defect, wouldn't that also have made her a rather strange choice for abduction ?

Madeleine was in the wrong place at the wrong time. How so ?

[Lace]

We are talking about an abduction, not an adoption where it wouldn't be matter if the child talked about her natural parents. Madeleine also had a recognisable eye defect, wouldn't that also have made her a rather strange choice for abduction ?

Madeleine was in the wrong place at the wrong time. How so ?

Could be Madeleine was abducted to be sold for adoption Faithfully.    Madeleine could have been told lies about her parents,   that they were dead for instance?

Could be they didn't get close enough to see the eye defect.   Madeleine had her eyes closed when sleeping and it was quite dark.

The McCann's have said it was only a slight mark in the eye.

[faithlilly]

Could be Madeleine was abducted to be sold for adoption Faithfully.    Madeleine could have been told lies about her parents,   that they were dead for instance?

Could be they didn't get close enough to see the eye defect.   Madeleine had her eyes closed when sleeping and it was quite dark.

The McCann's have said it was only a slight mark in the eye.

You are missing the point Lace. Isn't the choice of Madeleine, with her talkative nature, her age and her distinctive eye, rather a strange one for adoption, when her sister would have had none of those drawbacks and was there for the taking ?

Taking Amelie would not have necessitated drugging the children as she would not have been able to raise the alarm in the same way as Madeleine and her identity would have been easier to conceal as she was carried away.