Polish Woman Convicted of Harassing Madeleine McCann's Parents

In May 2007, the McCann family's lives were shattered when their 3-year-old daughter Madeleine disappeared from their holiday apartment in Praia da Luz, Portugal. Nearly two decades later, the nightmare continues for Kate and Gerry McCann, now 57, and their younger children, Amelie and Sean, now 20.

The case has been marked by a series of disturbing developments. In addition to the anguish of not knowing Madeleine's fate, the McCanns were once declared official suspects by Portuguese police, a status that wasn't removed until 2008. More recently, the family has been tormented by an army of online "truthers" and numerous women who have falsely claimed to be the missing girl.

The most persistent of these was Julia Wandelt, a 24-year-old Polish national who bombarded the McCanns with calls, emails, and messages, even showing up at their home. Wandelt, who had been sexually abused as a child, was arrested and charged with stalking and harassment. Last week, she was convicted of harassment and sentenced to six months in jail, which she has already served.

The case has now torn apart another family, with Wandelt's father, Jacek, a 60-year-old radiologist, pleading that his daughter is "sick and needs help." As the McCanns continue their agonizing wait for answers, the Wandelt family has also been left reeling by the tragic turn of events.