Original article no longer available
The Sun
From VERONICA LORRAINE
in Portimao, Portugal
A GIRL of eight was taken into care after her British mum went partying and left her alone in their holiday apartment a few miles from where Madeleine McCann was snatched.
Worried neighbours who called police claimed the child had been abandoned several times at night.
Close … location of drama to Maddie resort
Cops in the resort of Portimao, Portugal, were forced to take her into care when the mum did not return.
Portimao is less than 25 miles from Praia da Luz, where Maddie vanished in May last year just before her fourth birthday.
The resort was also the HQ of the Portuguese police hunt for Maddie.
Madeleine McCann … vanished
The Sun understands the mum had been urged by a doctor to avoid drink on holiday as she was on medication to combat alcohol-related problems and depression.
But she ignored the advice, went out boozing and ended up needing hospital treatment.
Police handed her frightened daughter to a temporary care home in Faro.
After being assessed there she was transferred to a children’s home in nearby Loule.
Worried family members are believed to have flown out to Portugal to help the youngster and her mother.
And a spokesman for the British Consulate said: “We can confirm we are offering advice to the girl and her family.”