23/07/2007

Madeleine's father in US visit

The father of missing British girl Madeleine McCann is due to arrive in the US on Monday to meet politicians and specialist agencies working to prevent child abductions.

Gerry McCann is using the four-day visit to learn about the work of the agencies in trying to prevent child trafficking and sexual abuse.

Mr McCann will meet experts from both the National International Centres for Missing and Exploited Children.

The centres were set up in 1984 and 1998 respectively, following the kidnapping and murder of six-year-old Adam Walsh, who was snatched from a Florida department store in 1981.

The case eventually led to the introduction of the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act last year. The Act strengthened the US' nationwide sex offender registration system and introduced tougher penalties for child sex offenders.

Mr McCann is also reported to be meeting with the Attorney General Alberto Gonzales and aides to First Lady Laura Bush in the White House during his trip.

Gerry and Kate McCann have a launched a major campaign to find their daughter.

Four-year-old Madeleine was abducted from the couple's holiday apartment in Praia da Luz in Portugal's Algarve in May.

Mrs McCann is remaining in Portugal with the couple's two-year-old twins Sean and Amelie during her husband's trip to the US.

(KMcA/SP)

Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

14 October 2013
E-Fit Images Released Of Madeline McCann Suspect
The Metropolitan Police investigating the abduction of a three-year-old British girl called Madeleine McCann from an apartment in the Portuguese Algarve resort of Praia da Luz on the 3rd May 2007, have released two e-fit images of a man who is of vital importance in the case.
17 October 2007
Madeleine Death 'Probability'
The parents of Madeleine McCann have accepted there is a probability that she may be dead, their official spokesperson has confirmed. Clarence Mitchell said: "Kate and Gerry are realistic enough to know that there is a probability she is dead. "They have not given up hope that she is still alive and is being looked after somewhere.
30 April 2008
McCann's Hate Mail Revealed
As the sad one-year anniversary of their daughter's disappearance approaches this weekend, Kate and Gerry McCann have revealed how they were targeted with hate mail after Madeleine disappeared.
25 October 2007
Madeleine Mum's Heart-Felt Plea Boosts Search
The first television interview given by the parents of missing toddler Madeleine McCann has proved to be a tremendous strain on the couple, with Mrs McCann breaking down in tears towards the end as she talked personally about Madeleine.
22 May 2007
Madeleine's father returns to Portugal
The father of missing British girl Madeleine McCann has returned to Portugal this morning following a brief visit to the UK. Gerry McCann rejoined his wife Kate and their two-year-old twins Sean and Amelie following the visit to the UK. On Tuesday, the couple told reporters that they would "travel wherever is necessary" in order to find Madeleine.