Ayla Reynolds Disappearance Three Years Later: Family Demands Justice

It’s been three years since missing toddler Ayla Reynolds vanished from her father’s Waterville, Maine home, and her maternal family is still begging for answers in this heartbreaking case. ABC News reports that even though investigators don’t believe the child will be found alive, they will never give up in searching for her. However, the statute of limitations is coming to an end that would allow officials to go after the child’s father for child endangerment. If they don’t act in the next couple of days, that window of opportunity will be closed permanently. Baby Ayla’s mom has spoken out against this, demanding action from the Maine State Police. In fact, Ayla’s whole maternal family is demanding justice as the anniversary of the girl’s mysterious disappearance comes in just two days.

Jeff Reynolds, the maternal grandfather of the missing child, sent out a press release on Saturday demanding answers from the adults who were in the home when Ayla went missing. He also demanded answers from the investigators that have been on this case from day one. Jeff was especially sore that the three adults who were in the home the night the little girl vanished have never been charged with any crimes, despite the fact that the police have long acknowledged that they have not been forthcoming with all the information needed to find Ayla.

“Justin, Elisha, and Courtney have been free to live as they please with no questions asked, no consequences for the impact of their actions on Ayla’s maternal family.”

Jeff also wants to know why investigators haven’t been more forthcoming themselves with the evidence in this case. After all, it’s been three years, and this child is just as missing now as she was in the beginning.

“What is being done right now today to find Ayla’s body? When was the last search? When will the next search be? Why have police never publicly asked anyone who had contact with the three in the house in the week before they reported Ayla missing to come forward? Isn’t it possible someone who saw Ayla- or didn’t see her in circumstances where they would have expected to- might be holding a missing puzzle piece? Don’t they want to hear from everyone who saw or spoke to the three on the day before they reported Ayla missing?”

Ayla Reynolds vanished from her father’s home on December 17, 2011 under circumstances which still remain unknown. Justin Dipietro (her father) told police that someone abducted her from their home as the family slept, but police found no evidence of forced entry, and no evidence that anybody had removed the tot from the home.

In fact, the evidence that was gathered by forensic experts was far more disturbing. The Huffington Post reported in 2013 that “more than a cupful of blood” belonging to the missing child was found in the basement of Justin DiPietro’s home, as well as other places. The child was also reported to had suffered from a broken arm in the weeks leading up to her disappearance, and she even missed a necessary doctor’s appointment prior to being reported missing. These details have many people backing Trista Reynolds in her pursuit to have Justin DiPietro charged with some crime related to the child’s disappearance and presumed demise.

[Photo credit: 95mooseFm/Trista Reynolds]