Solihull Search For Milk Carton Kids

[webbo3]

Anyone remember this or heard of this, I can say I honestly can't remember it, why isn't there the high profile search for these two boys like there is for Madeline Mcann ? ,they have plenty of money for her.

https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/updates-diggers-defy-police-search-20921712

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-57641052

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/milk-carton-kids-remains-solihull-b1874753.html

[Mamyalynne]

I do recall those young faces - it must be soul destroying to think your lost loved ones are being ignored.

[barry1010]

Yes, I remember those boys. The police have raised their profiles several times over the years, and have arrested a few suspects. None were charged.

[patgreg]

There was a television programme "In the footsteps of killers" on Channel 4 about 3 weeks ago looking into this - the criminologist explained that cases involving victims who are eg. blonde blue eyed middle class get picked up by the media and so get more police attention - I did not like the format of the programme but he explained how the police only classed these boys as missing persons - mainly because they were a bit naughty and streetwise! The programme brought up lots of information that was not acted on at the time - and definitely pointed the finger at the possible murderer - worth a look if you're interested - and maybe it will be taken up by the police again.

[barry1010]

The McCann's have kept their daughter in the headlines, have been the force behind the many searches and investigations.

These two boys were almost feral - away from home for days on end, eventually reported missing to the police several times. Their parents didn't have the wherewithal to keep the profile raised, didn't know how to work the media in the way the McCanns' do.

The public are much more sympathetic to a three year old that has gone missing than 13 year old and 11 year old runaways with a history of trouble making

[barry1010]

The police have already dug that field up, they spent several weeks there but found nothing.

[webbo3]

Its a bit of wasteland and not a field, so if you are posh and have money the police will treat you differently, guess a golfing "holiday" is better in the Algarve than the midlands, and there was never a big a search for Ben Needham as there has been for Maddie.

[gulliver1]

Its the same old story, one law for the well to do and another for the working class.

[barry1010]

Do you really think that, Gulliver? I suppose you are right. That must be why the McCanns' were suspected of murdering their daughter and the parents of these two boys were never murder suspects. That must be why the McCanns' have been vilified by the press many times over the years but the other parents haven't.

[10ClarionSt]

It's a question of what you believe from the reports in the media, Barry. That's all we know about the McCanns. Even now I'm not convinced of their innocence but that's just a gut feeling from being a parent myself. And until someone comes forward and admits anything about the disapearance, then that suspicion will prevail.

I watched the programme about the milk carton kids and, as mentioned earlier, they came up with a suspect who is still in prison for the murder of a 14 year old schoolboy who was murdered in 1968. The case was only solved in recent years due to DNA. The case against this man seemed fairly strong to me and the programme tried to link him to other missing children in the area. But it's unlikely any charges will be brought against him.

[barry1010]

10C, I try to only read factual news, not media speculation but it does get impossible to avoid a media frenzy.

[barry1010]

Latest police update:
Update on investigation into 1996 disappearance of Patrick Warren and David Spencer.
Following a review of the investigation based on the evidence we have to date, we were aware of the location where family members and local community are digging. This location was assessed in 2006 and again more recently.
We believe the digging is taking place after a witness, who we interviewed in 2001, 2006 and 2020, provided details to the family. We have assessed this information each time and our assessment is that it is not consistent with the known chronology of events.
We have today (Thursday) met with members of the family and people involved in the dig and we remain committed to working with the boy’s families.
We recognise and sympathise with the strong sense of feeling surrounding the disappearance of Patrick and David. It’s highly emotive for their families, friends and the wider community and recent media speculation has understandably fuelled these frustrations.
As we have asked throughout our investigations, if you have any information regarding this very sad case and not yet contacted us, please do so, we will always act upon new information.

[10ClarionSt]

Thanks for the update Barry.