Missing Madeleine McCann’s Mother Named as Suspect

By Anastacia Mott Austin

Millions have watched the case of missing British toddler Madeleine McCann unfold, praying for her safe return and offering an outpouring of support to her parents, Kate and Gerry McCann.

The three-year-old was staying with her family in a rental apartment in Portugal on the night of May 3rd, when the parents left Madeleine and her younger brother and sister sleeping and went to dinner at a restaurant on the same property. When they returned, say the couple, Madeleine was gone.

The family launched a desperate international search for their daughter, and attracted the attention of the world, along with celebrities who pledged financial support. They also visited the Pope, who prayed with them for their Madeleine’s safe return.

The couple has clashed on occasion with Portuguese police, who they feel have not sufficiently pursued leads in the case. Portuguese officials have felt strong pressure to solve the case, which has received prolonged international attention.

And now, Portuguese police have charged Kate McCann as a suspect in the death of Madeleine. The police claim to have found new forensic DNA evidence, Madeleine’s blood, in a rental car, as well as samples from the apartment where the family was staying when Madeleine disappeared.

Said Philomena McCann, Gerry’s sister, to reporters at Sky News television, "They’re suggesting that Kate has in some way accidentally killed Madeleine and kept her body, then got rid of it. I’ve never heard anything so utterly ridiculous in my entire life," adding that the DNA evidence was recovered from a rental car the couple leased 25 days after Madeleine disappeared.

Kate McCann had apparently been questioned for 11 hours on Thursday, and was told by police officials that she would be formally charged with "arguida" status, which means that she is legally a suspect in the case.

Rosemary de Rougement, a Portuguese law specialist, told ABC News, "By acquiring the status of arguido, Kate McCann will acquire the right to remain silent and to be legally represented."

Before going into questioning for the second day in a row, Kate McCann issued a statement to the press in which she addressed the abductors of Madeleine, "It’s not too late. Please let her go or call the police."

Although Kate McCann was greeted with some booing from the crowd, the overwhelming response to her being named as a suspect has been disbelief and continued support for the family.

Neighbors at the family’s home of Rothley, Leicestershire were saddened by the news, but remain supportive of the McCanns. "I don’t see how they can be involved. It’s beyond comprehension that they could have done this," said a neighbor to BBC reporters. Added the neighbor, "I think it’s very distressful they have been put through this."

Philomena McCann claims that the Portuguese police offered Kate McCann a plea deal, in which they would offer her a lenient sentence if she confessed to accidentally killing her daughter. "They tried to get her to confess to having accidentally killing Madeleine by offering her a deal through her lawyer," said McCann to ITV news. The offer of a deal could not be confirmed.

Gerry McCann, Madeleine’s father, continues to support his wife’s innocence as well. He wrote on the official Find Madeleine website, "Anyone who knows anything about the 3rd May knows that Kate is completely innocent. We will fight this all the way and we will not stop looking for Madeleine."

Relatives say that Gerry McCann faces more questioning from Portuguese police and may also potentially be named as a suspect.

McCann family representative Brian Kennedy spoke to the press, saying, "Their family and friends support them totally and we are sure that everyone else who has been kind in their letters and prayers, and financially, will continue to believe in them and hope for a speedy and just outcome to the present situation."

Added Philomena McCann, "I’m sorry…but I don’t have much faith in the Portuguese police."