WATERVILLE, Maine (AP) — The mother of a 20-month-old girl who disappeared from her father's home in Maine says she's "hoping and praying" that she's OK.

3 Comments

E-mail this story Print this story Save this story

Sponsor

(AP Photo/obtained from Facebook)

This undated photo obtained from a facebook page shows missing toddler Alya Reynolds. Police in Maine are appealing to the public for help in locating the 20-month-old girl who was last seen Friday night. Waterville Police Chief Joseph Massey held a news conference this afternoon to ask anyone with information about Ayla Reynolds to call police. Ayla's father called police yesterday morning to report that his daughter was not in her bed and couldn't be found. She was last seen sleeping at about 10 p.m. Friday by a family member.

Trista Reynolds said Tuesday that not knowing where Ayla is has been tough, but that she's trying to remain strong for an 8-month-old son who remains in her care. She said she has questions for the father, Justin DiPietro, but that he hasn't returned her calls.

Searchers on Tuesday resumed looking for the youngster who was last seen Friday night when the father put her to bed. He called police to report her missing the following morning when he found her bed empty.

Police sent an evidence-collection team into the Waterville house on Monday, but the disappearance is still classified as a missing person case.