The father of a Polish woman, Julia Wandelt, who has claimed to be the missing Madeleine McCann, has publicly expressed concern for her mental health. In an interview, Jacek Wandelt described his daughter as “sick but not bad,” emphasizing that she needs help. Despite DNA tests disproving her claims, Wandelt has persisted in reaching out to Madeleine’s parents, Kate and Gerry McCann, through numerous messages and phone calls.
Julia Wandelt, aged 24 and from Gorzów Wielkopolski, even traveled to the McCanns’ hometown of Rothley, Leicestershire, on two occasions. Her father revealed that during a recent car ride, she reiterated her belief that she is Madeleine McCann, stating, “Daddy, I love you, but you are not my dad; I am Madeleine McCann.”
Wandelt’s birth certificate confirms her date of birth as 2001, two years after Madeleine McCann disappeared from her family’s holiday apartment in Praia da Luz, Portugal, in 2007. Since then, there has been significant public interest in both stories, particularly as Wandelt has garnered over a million followers on TikTok by posting photos comparing her appearance to that of the missing girl.
Despite his daughter’s claims, Jacek Wandelt has highlighted a troubled past that may have contributed to her current behavior. He stated that Julia has not lived with him since she was very young, following his separation from her mother, Dorota, who raised her with another partner. Jacek noted that Julia was a “happy, normal” child until she was reportedly abused by her step-grandfather, Peter Ney, who was convicted in 2012 for the offenses.
The impact of this abuse was evident, as teachers observed a marked change in Wandelt’s personality from around 2011. Reports indicated that she began to seek attention in ways that raised concerns among her educators. Jacek acknowledged he had not been as involved in her upbringing as he would have liked, particularly after her family moved to Wroclaw.
“Julia is not bad; she is sick and needs help,” Jacek Wandelt expressed. He continues to think of her daily and prays for her well-being. A childhood friend of Wandelt commented on her situation, suggesting that she is searching for support rather than fame, noting an improvement in her mental health after undergoing therapy for two years starting in 2021. However, the friend admitted to not having seen her since that time.
Julia Wandelt’s outreach to the McCann family began in 2022, following her posting of various photos that drew comparisons between her features and those of the missing child. The claims, while garnering attention on social media, have drawn sharp criticism and concern from the public and Madeleine McCann’s family alike.
As the situation unfolds, the McCann family continues to cope with the enduring impact of their daughter’s disappearance while navigating the complexities introduced by Wandelt’s assertions.
