Parents Optimistic, Determined to Find Madeleine McCann

June 1, 2007 — -- Almost a month after 4-year-old Madeleine McCann was abducted from a hotel room in Portugal while on vacation with her family, her parents, Gerry and Kate McCann, remain determined to find her.

"We are still very optimistic that [the] investigation in conjunction with the public in Portugal will lead to us getting our daughter back safely," Gerry McCann told ABC's Chris Cuomo from Madrid.

He cited several recent developments he sees as significant: an appeal organized and agreed upon by the Portuguese police, a U.K. appeal to the public to come forward with any information about Madeleine's whereabouts and the police's identification of a suspect.

"One week ago, the Portuguese police released a description of a suspect seen carrying a child who may have been Madeleine," Gerry said.

Kate McCann, clutching her 4-year-old daughter's stuffed animal, said her other children, 2-year-old twins Sean and Amelie, are helping the family through their difficult time.

"I think it's fortunate that the young are not too aware of what's happening," she said. "They're aware that Madeleine is not with us, but they're able to carry on and have a normal day. They're able to spend a lot of time with me and Gerry."

The couple is grateful for support from their family, authorities, the public and high-profile figures like the pope, whom they met with earlier this week.

"Good wishes from many different people have helped us sustain us in staying positive," Gerry said.

Madeleine disappeared from the hotel room where she and her siblings were sleeping while her parents were out at dinner. The McCanns said they're still wracked with guilt from their decision to leave the kids alone.

"I think coping with guilt is part of being a parent," Kate said.

"We're driving all of our emotions in a positive fashion," Gerry added. "Because it helps us to … be active in the search for Madeleine and that helps us more than anything."

The McCanns have set up a Web site, findmadeleine.com, to gather information about their daughter's disappearance. Gerry said the site has helped them stay focused on finding Madeleine, and they're not leaving Spain or the surrounding area until they do so.