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The parents of missing British toddler Madeline McCann have criticised a satirical magazine joke about the child, branding it sick.
German magazine Titanic published a mock supermarket advertisement in which the 4-year-old's picture is shown on a kitchen cleaning product, saying it "removes all traces at home and against which DNA tests have no chance".
McCann family spokesman Clarence Mitchell said Madeline's parents, Kate and Gerry, were hurt and distressed.
"The use of Madeline's image in this way is extremely distressing for Kate and Gerry," Mitchell said.
"It also shows Madeline herself no respect. It is totally sick, very hurtful and in no way funny."
Titanic editor-in-chief Thomas Gsella said Madeline's image "can be seen everywhere and it is getting a bit too much for many people."
"We hope that everyone will find it as funny as we do ... it is not aimed at the little girl, but against the media machine that surrounds her."
- AAP
