'Always found'. So why bother searching initially then? Who automatically jumps to abduction in that moment? Who's 'nutty' now?
According to Kate she, as opposed to the PJ, had the intelligence required to work out what happened.
Reasons to reject woke and wandered.
1. Jane Tanner's sighting.
2. The open window and shutters, which Madeleine couldn't have managed.
3. The patio doors, child gate and garden gate being closed.
4. She knew Madeleine well enough to know she wouldn't wander off.
[madeleine chapter 7]
In my opinion that may all make sense to Kate McCann, but not necessarily to anyone else. It has nothing to do with intelligence either.
1. The Tanner sighting was highly likely to be a red herring, it transpires.
2, 3 & 4. Madeleine wouldn't be the first child to surprise her parents with her capabilities.
The McCann's friends, Mark Warner staff, the local people and the Portuguese Police were correct to make searching PdL their first priority imo.