WATERVILLE —  Two vehicles were taken for processing by police Monday from the Violette Avenue home of missing 20-month-old Ayla Reynolds as the investigation into her disappearance entered its third day.

Police, who have said it’s possible the toddler was abducted, said today that no one has been arrested in connection with the case.

Waterville Police Chief Joseph Massey disclosed little new information in a 2 p.m. news conference this afternoon, acknowledging only that a neighbor had reported hearing a motor vehicle arrive at the girl’s home on Violette Avenue.

“This is a missing person case,” he said, declining to share additional details.

Ayla Reynolds, wearing a soft cast from a broken arm, was last seen sleeping in her bed at about 10 p.m. Friday.

Ayla was reported missing from her Violette Avenue home by her father, Justin DiPietro, at about 9 a.m. Saturday, when he found her bed empty. The girl’s mother, Trista Reynolds, is living in Portland without a permanent address, Massey has said.

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Massey has also said there were several adults at the home Friday night when Ayla went to bed. At least one of them was not a family member, he said.

Both parents have been interviewed and are cooperating with the investigation, he said.

Waterville police, Maine State Police, the Maine Warden service and the FBI are conducting the investigation.

Massey said 70 law enforcement officers worked the search today, including 25 game wardens, who trolled the waters of nearby Messalonskee Stream and circled the area in an airplane.

“It’s a very open case,” Massey said. “We don’t want to miss anything along the way; we’re looking at every lead and all possibilities.”

Massey said the child’s parents are cooperating with the investigation.

Ayla was last seen wearing green, one-piece pajamas with polka dots and the words “Daddy’s Princess” on them. She is 2 feet 9 inches tall, and weighs approximately 30 pounds.

Her left arm is in a sling and soft splint. She has short thin blonde hair.


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