It started with a 911 call at 8:49 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 17, 2011. Justin DiPietro told a Waterville dispatcher that his 20-month-old daughter, Ayla Reynolds, was missing.

She was last seen, he said, by his sister, Elisha DiPietro, when she checked on the toddler at 10 p.m. the night before. DiPietro said when he went in to get her that morning, her bed was empty.

Additional Images

STILL MISSING: A sign and photograph of Ayla Reynolds has been placed in front of 29 Violette Ave. in Waterville where she was reported missing nearly a year ago.
STILL MISSING: A sign and photograph of Ayla Reynolds has been placed in front of 29 Violette Ave. in Waterville where she was reported missing nearly a year ago. Staff file photo by David Leaming
A picture of Ayla Reynolds is surrounded by teddy bears on the steps of the Waterville City Hall during a vigil for the missing toddler in January 2012.
A picture of Ayla Reynolds is surrounded by teddy bears on the steps of the Waterville City Hall during a vigil for the missing toddler in January 2012. Staff file photo by Michael G. Seamans
Authorities clear the Messalonskee Stream of ice under the North Street as they prepare to continue the search for Ayla Reynolds.
Authorities clear the Messalonskee Stream of ice under the North Street as they prepare to continue the search for Ayla Reynolds. Staff file photo by Michael G. Seamans
Maine State Police have taped off the residence where 20-month-old Alyla Reynolds was last seen last seen in a picture taken Dec. 22, 2011.
Maine State Police have taped off the residence where 20-month-old Alyla Reynolds was last seen last seen in a picture taken Dec. 22, 2011. Staff file photo by Michael G. Seamans
Justin DePietro, far left, Trista Reynolds, center left, parents of missing toddler Ayla Reynolds, release balloons during a vigil in Castonguay Square in Waterville in January 2012. Becca Hanson, right center, mother of Trista Reynolds, and Amanda Benner, far right, friend of Trista Reynolds, also are seen.
Justin DePietro, far left, Trista Reynolds, center left, parents of missing toddler Ayla Reynolds, release balloons during a vigil in Castonguay Square in Waterville in January 2012. Becca Hanson, right center, mother of Trista Reynolds, and Amanda Benner, far right, friend of Trista Reynolds, also are seen. Staff file photo by Michael G. Seamans
A rally in support of Ayla Reynolds is held in Portland’s Monument Square on her 2nd birthday, April 4, 2012. Ayla’s mother, Trista Reynolds (right) and her friends, including Ashley Pouliot (left) listen to a song written for Ayla by musician Alan Pouliot, from Fairfield.
A rally in support of Ayla Reynolds is held in Portland’s Monument Square on her 2nd birthday, April 4, 2012. Ayla’s mother, Trista Reynolds (right) and her friends, including Ashley Pouliot (left) listen to a song written for Ayla by musician Alan Pouliot, from Fairfield. Portland Press Herald file photo by John Ewing
Maine State Police Detective Christopher Tupper, left, and Waterville Detective Lincoln Ryder, at right, question Justin DiPietro after he arrived at his home on Violette Ave. in Waterville on Dec. 18, 2011, during the beginnings of the search for his 20-month-old daughter, Ayla Reynolds, whom he reported missing the morning before.
Maine State Police Detective Christopher Tupper, left, and Waterville Detective Lincoln Ryder, at right, question Justin DiPietro after he arrived at his home on Violette Ave. in Waterville on Dec. 18, 2011, during the beginnings of the search for his 20-month-old daughter, Ayla Reynolds, whom he reported missing the morning before. Staff file photo by David Leaming
Trista Reynolds, left, and Justin DePietro, right, speak on the steps of City Hall during a vigil in Castonguay Square in Waterville in January 2012.
Trista Reynolds, left, and Justin DePietro, right, speak on the steps of City Hall during a vigil in Castonguay Square in Waterville in January 2012. Staff file photo by Michael G. Seamans
Waterville and Winslow fire personnel and game wardens conduct an extensive search of yards and outbuildings along Violette Avenue in Waterville and surrounding streets after Ayla Reynolds was reporting missing Dec. 17, 2011.
Waterville and Winslow fire personnel and game wardens conduct an extensive search of yards and outbuildings along Violette Avenue in Waterville and surrounding streets after Ayla Reynolds was reporting missing Dec. 17, 2011. Staff file photo by David Leaming
A searcher scours the emptied river bed of the Messalonskee Stream along West River Road near the intersection of Kennedy Memorial Drive in Waterville Dec. 20, 2011, afternoon for a missing 20 month old girl.
A searcher scours the emptied river bed of the Messalonskee Stream along West River Road near the intersection of Kennedy Memorial Drive in Waterville Dec. 20, 2011, afternoon for a missing 20 month old girl. Staff file photo by Michael G. Seamans
AYLA REYNOLDS
AYLA REYNOLDS
Lance DiPietro, Justin DiPietro’s brother, leaves 29 Violette Ave. in Waterville in December 2011 after Ayla Reynolds was reported missing from the home.
Lance DiPietro, Justin DiPietro’s brother, leaves 29 Violette Ave. in Waterville in December 2011 after Ayla Reynolds was reported missing from the home. Staff file photo by David Leaming
Justin DiPietro talks to his attorney, Gerard Conley Jr., before appearing in Cumberland County District Court on an assault charge in September 2012.
Justin DiPietro talks to his attorney, Gerard Conley Jr., before appearing in Cumberland County District Court on an assault charge in September 2012. Portland Press Herald file photo by Gordon Chibroski

Three years, 20 searches and thousands of tips later, investigators are no closer to finding out what happened to Ayla.

During that time, Ayla’s mother, Trista Reynolds and her family; DiPietro; the others in the house the night Ayla disappeared; local and state police; and countless others have been at the epicenter of what authorities say is the biggest and most expensive criminal case in the state’s history.

Reynolds continues to suffer with her grief, her desire for justice and coming to grips with how long that may take.

Sgt. Jeff Love, a state police detective, has led the investigation from the first day and is sure the truth will come to light.

And Justin DiPietro, a public target since almost the day his daughter was reported missing, is staying silent and out of the public eye.

These are their stories.

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