When the McCanns realized Madeleine was missing, they involved the media almost immediately. "After a few hours, our friends were saying, 'Contact the media,'" Gerry says. "The Portuguese police were saying, 'No, no media,' but we were desperate at that point."

Kate says they involved the media because they didn't know what else to do. "The feeling was absolute helplessness," she says. "You're absolutely desperate. I mean, this is our daughter who we love beyond words, and every second is like hours. Nothing can happen quick enough."