---

by Jayjay
And finally, we're far from knowing all the details. Maybe they just run off, maybe it's a big practical joke, maybe they were abducted, maybe the internet was involved, maybe the parents are the next family West. None of us know. And speculation won't change anything.

---

Unfortunately, speculation is all that the parents, police or public have right now - this could go on for many more weeks or months and the whole speculation of why they left the house, and what happened to them is going to haunt those families forever if the kids or bodies aren't found

---

How many kids, as a percent of the total child population, go missing each year? And how many of these end up being cases of abduction? Now compare this with the percentage of children involved in household accidents, ill health to allergic reactions to things like milk or paracetamol. Bad things happen.

---

I agree that these odds are more likely than child abduction. But there are still worse things that could happen like child abuse. If Holly & Jessica are still alive the parents can only hope that no *real* harm has come to them.

I guess when child abduction does happen it natuarally forces parents to reassess the freedom their children have. I still can't get over the amount of very young children that play out on the roads late at night a few streets away ... I'm not their parents and I still fear for them.

I read somewhere that 90% of incidents of child abuse happen near home, so perhaps we're better off encouraging our children to roam the countryside without telling us where they're going

True. Child abuse, like rape, is more often than not at the hands of someone known by the victim, not a stranger on the street.

---

by Teresa
(quotes)

I hear what you're saying and I couldn't agree with you more, but there is NO WAY my children are allowed to play outside on their own or even in the back garden without me pressing my face up against the window watching their every move. I only wish I could relax more I do feel sorry for them 'cos when I was little I used to leave the house at 10am, take a packed lunch and not return 'til 7pm. I know that statistically they'll be fine but I'm not prepared to take the risk of lessening (is that a word ) my guard and something happening to them.


(Edited by Teresa 17/08/2002 00:21)

---

Have to agree , my eldest is nearly 10 now and I have only just started letting him go to the shops , and walk to school (its a 3 min walk away ) I guess I had to let go sooner or later and when he goes to "big" school he will be going to and from himself.

I still worry greatly , I can teach him how to cross the road safetly , I can teach him about the dangers of berries and not to touch needles left lying in the street , I can teach him to never play with matches , I can teach him stranger danger ... but I can't stop someone bigger and stronger than him being male or female taking him away if they really want to . I think thats why parents worry so much, I know I do

Just heard on the news that they've arrested the caretaker and his girlfriend on suspicion of abduction and murder...At least it would be an end to the uncertainty, although not the one we hoped for...

We can only hope now that if the girls are indeed dead, and these arrests would make it seem likely, their bodies are found, allowing their parents to start grieving properly.

2 bodies found by a member of the public this afternoon

Yeah 2 bodies, at Mildenhall where I frequent often for the yearly air shows. I hoped that the girls would be found alive and now my hopes are dashed. Its a huge blow after 2 weeks of thinking they possibly still could be alive, and now it hits you that they're most probably dead. Me and my family will be thinking about the girls' and their families and friends

(Edited by lizzieslayer 17/08/2002 16:41)

The only small relief is that the bodies have been found after only three weeks. The agony over Sarah Payne went on for months and Milly Dowler is still missing

The really odd thing is that the police arrested the suspects this morning on murder and conspirisy to murder so there must be some pretty strong evidence against them even with out the bodies - at least it will be a very strong case against the perpetrators and they will not get away with it.

I was really upset to gear about them finding the bodies this afternoon. It was a bit of a shock considering that, until very recently, the police were saying that they were cinvinced that they were both still alive

At least the parents now have a chance at some kind of closure now that they have found the bodies.

I found it especially creepy that the people that they have arrested would have been known to both the girls. I guess that would explain why they were able to disappear so easily

Hearing this news has infuriated me so much Two people that are in a position of trust working within a school environment. Surely checks would've been made and what on earth possessed them to do something like that?

May the little babes rest in peace.

The Soham site guest book makes for very emotional reading

---

by Red
The Soham site guest book makes for very emotional reading

---

Is there a link for this at all?

---

by Sydney
The really odd thing is that the police arrested the suspects this morning on murder and conspirisy to murder so there must be some pretty strong evidence against them even with out the bodies

---

We wondered that, as it would have been very wrong to name people for murder in such a public story!!!

---

by Jola
Two people that are in a position of trust working within a school environment. Surely checks would've been made and what on earth possessed them to do something like that?

---

On one news story they were saying they were going to make some checks into his last job in Grimsby ... I'm assuming they are going to try and link him to things up there now

---

by Jola
(quotes)

Is there a link for this at all?

---

http://www.soham.org.uk

My thoughts are with the family and the local community.


(Edited by Whistler 18/08/2002 12:15)

---

by Pegasus
(quotes)I'm assuming they are going to try and link him to things up there now

---

There's a strong rumour of a previous conviction up there... but don't expect to hear anything until after the trial... now they've got someone the information made public will dry right up - no-one will want to risk prejudicing the trial by releasing anything that might sway potential jurors.

---

by Whistler
(quotes)
It seems to be down at the moment, probably because of the number of hits it's getting. Guess it's just a case of persevering.

---

Working fine for me - but your link tries to bring up this address, which may be part of the problem www.tangent21.com/www.soham.org.uk

---

by Random
(quotes)Working fine for me - but your link tries to bring up this address, which may be part of the problem www.tangent21.com/www.soham.org.uk

---

Sorted