David Beckham, J.K. Rowling Reach Out to Find Missing Child

May 14, 2007 — -- The case of a missing British child is drawing some high wattage helping hands.

Eleven days ago, four-year old Madeleine McCann vanished from a Portugal hotel room while on vacation with her family. Now, British big wigs including David Beckham and J.K. Rowling are leading the effort to help find her.

McCann disappeared from a hotel room in a small Portugal resort town after her parents left her alone with her two-year old siblings. They went to dinner and returned every 30 minutes to check on the children, but shortly before 10 p.m., they discovered McCann was no longer tucked in her bed.

"Words cannot describe the anguish and despair that we are feeling," Gerry McCann said.

News of McCann's disappearance quickly spread to the family's home town of Rothley, England. The story inspired soccer star Beckham to tape a televised plea for the girl's return. Millions of dollars have been donated to help find her—"Harry Potter" author J.K. Rowling reportedly gave $3 million.

Authorities say all evidence points to kidnapping, possibly by an organized pedophile network. Rumors have spread about a couple photographing random children on a Portuguese beach who fled when approached by a parent.

With no strong leads on her whereabouts, McCann's father prays she's safe.

"As far as we are concerned until there is concrete evidence to the contrary we believe that Madeline is safe and being looked after and that is how we will continue in our efforts," Gerry McCann said.

Over the weekend, family, friends and strangers celebrated McCann's fourth birthday. While the world prays for her safe return, silence fills the McCanns' hearts and minds.

"We beg you to let Madeleine come home," her mother said in a message to the girl's abductors. "Please give our little girl back."