Madeleine McCann case: Man says he knows who took missing girl, likely now in US

Madeleine McCann case: Man says he knows who took missing girl, likely now in US

An Angolan man claims to know what happened to missing British girl Madeleine McCann, saying she was kidnapped by a pedophile ring based in Algarve, Portugal. He also believes the group has likely transported her to the United States.

Little Madeleine -- who was about to turn four -- vanished on May 3, 2007 while on vacation with her family in Praia da Luz, Portugal. Her parents, Kate and Gerry McCann, had been dining with friends and left the girl and her twin siblings in the villa where the family was staying. When the McCanns returned, Madeleine was gone.

Marcelino Italiano, 36, said the pedophile ring is able to “…get away with anything,” according to The Sun. He noted that the group was dangerous and influential and had preyed on children prior to Madeleine’s disappearance.

He also told the Sun that he had to “flee for his life” because he feared he would be harmed for talking about the group.

“I can’t say how, but I have known these people and believe they can get away with anything,” said the nightclub bouncer. “I think there have been over a dozen children kidnapped. They prey on the weak and vulnerable.”

Italiano also said that the pedophile ring is based out of Faro and Albufeira, but was linked to the judiciary in Portugal, also having contacts with a law firm in London.

“They are ruthless. I have been attacked twice for trying to investigate it and even lost my front tooth in one attack,” he said.

Nonetheless, Italiano hasn’t been deterred and says he will stop at nothing to expose “these sick people.”

The Sun reports that Portuguese officials and investigators working with the Find Madeleine Fund are looking into Italiano’s claims. His attorney says he has given police all the information he has and believes the gang took Madeleine to the United States.

The McCanns said through a spokesperson, “As with any information of this nature the man concerned has done the right thing by informing the Spanish authorities… Clearly it will be a matter for them and the private investigators currently searching for Madeleine to investigate further.”

Anyone with any information regarding Madeleine's case should contact the McCanns through their website, www.findmadeleine.com, or call their investigation line at 0-845-838-4699.

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