Maine toddler reported missing from home

[December 19, 2011]  WATERVILLE, Maine (AP) -- Maine police appealed Sunday for the public's help in finding a toddler who has been missing from her Waterville home since a family member saw her asleep in her bed Friday night.

Federal, state and local officials were helping in the search for 20-month-old Ayla Reynolds.

Waterville Police Chief Joseph Massey said Ayla's father called police Saturday morning to report that his daughter was not in her bed and couldn't be found.

Massey said police interviewed the father, Justin DiPietro, the mother, Trista Reynolds, and other family members. He said they all were cooperative. Ayla's parents live separately. She went missing from the father's home.

Ayla is described as 2-feet-9 inches tall, weighing 30 pounds. She has blonde hair. She was last seen wearing green one-piece pajamas with polka dots and the words "Daddy's Princess" on them. She had a soft cast on her left arm.

Authorities interviewed neighbors and searched the area Saturday and again Sunday. They also used a search dog at the girl's house to detect any signs of Ayla and to make sure she was not hidden in a closet or some other small space, Massey said.

The police chief said all possibilities were being investigated, including abduction.

"Everything is open. Everything is on the table," he said. "We have not uncovered any information that has sent us in any direction."

Waterville is about 20 miles north of Augusta.

[Associated Press]

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