Huh? If I thought my missing child was someone I'd seen on television, I'd contact that person ASAP. As far as I can tell, she hasn't done that. That's not a frantic mother; that's an opportunist.
Are you talking about Gannon? From what I've read the mother is not so sure that's him and from what I understand she has done just that; called the man. But she can't get a confirmation from him. What else can she do? Remember, even if she thought this theory about Gannon were bogus she would still check it out...and she did.
Any amount of exposure in the media is going to increase the odds of resolution. I seriously doubt the mother is making a fortune off of a book; if even making a living from it. But what she IS doing is she's getting word out about the case. Think about it.
I also seriously doubt she fabricated the pictures, so let's say she IS trying to write a book. Would she NOT report the pictures? Of course she would report it. Think about it.
If your child went missing and expert after expert told you that the key to resolution is media coverage, what would you do? Most people would probably write a book, do an interview, or whatever it took. Think about it.
We should all have our faith strengthened by this mother's 24 year witness and we would all be lucky to have a mother like that. Think about it.
Now she's an "opportunist"? You're judging someone you have never met. Walk in her shoes a few days and then get back to me.