WATERVILLE — The mother of missing toddler Ayla Reynolds said she doesn’t believe her daughter was kidnapped.
Trista Reynolds made the comment in response to a March 11 article in the Morning Sentinel in which Ayla’s father, Justin DiPietro, and his supporters expressed their belief that Ayla was abducted and said their reasons for believing so would be revealed “when the time is right.”
Reynolds questioned their assertion.
“Who says something like that unless you know something? The way I’m reading it, it’s like they’re telling me they know where my daughter is, and what happened to her.”
Three months ago, on the morning of Dec. 17, DiPietro called 911 to report Ayla missing. Police subsequently have ruled out the possibility that Ayla left the house on her own or that she was abducted, according to Department of Public Safety Spokesman Steve McCausland.
McCausland also has said that the three adults who were in the home with Ayla – DiPietro, his sister Elisha DiPietro and girlfriend Courtney Roberts – haven’t told investigators everything they know.
Reynolds echoed McCausland’s remarks.
“I don’t think she was kidnapped. I really don’t,” she said. “I believe deep down that Justin knows what happened or where she is. He could change this is a matter of seconds. All three of them could — him, Elisha and Courtney. I point the blame at all of them; I can’t just point the blame at Justin.”
DiPietro couldn’t be reached for comment.
New blog represents views from Reynolds family
Ayla’s stepgrandfather Jeff Hanson has launched a blog to post what he describes as inside information about the ongoing case of the missing toddler, now entering its fourth month.
Hanson, a hobbyist Web designer in Portland, said www.answersforayla.com will represent the personal observations and opinions of the Reynolds family along with facts, including links to scanned copies of medical, court and Department of Health and Human Services records that the family acquired late last week.
Hanson said the blog allows the Reynoldses to disseminate stories that news organizations will not publish. Ever since Ayla was reported missing three months ago, Hanson has served as the family’s spokesman. In that new role, Hanson said he has learned that journalists cannot implicate people without independent verification from law enforcement.
“They can’t do anything about it. Their hands are tied,” he said. “The media has known from day one what is going on, but they can’t say anything because of sources. They need sources. I’m actually shocked that there’s some integrity among journalists.”
The blog joins a wide range of other sites and groups that follow the case and its growing cast of characters. Hanson said he hopes his blog will clear the air and tamp down on speculation.
“There are so many rumors going around,” he said. “This (blog) is about setting the record straight and venting. We’re getting frustrated, and a lot of this is what Trista has wanted to say. There are a lot of things in here that needed to be said.”
Hanson, who also maintains www.aylareynolds.com – a site meant to raise awareness about the todler’s disappearance – said he plans to post daily updates to the new blog.
The family plans to hold a vigil for Ayla at 6 p.m. April 4 at 22 Monument Square. The event coincides with Ayla’s second birthday.
Ben McCanna — 861-9239
bmccanna@centralmaine.com
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