Divers returned to the frigid waters of the Kennebec River today to search for evidence in the disappearance of 20-month-old Ayla Reynolds, who was reported missing by her father on December 17. The exploration of the icy river and the Messalonskee stream nearby marked a renewed search effort since investigators made the shocking announcement that the little girl’s blood was discovered in the basement bedroom where her father, Justin DiPietro, was sleeping the night she vanished.
Lt. Kevin Adam from the Maine Warden Service said that Friday’s sunny weather made for good visibility in the water, but cold temperatures made the water search slow going. Air boats had to be used to break up ice and divers had to be cycled out of the water after just 20 minutes of searching in the frigid water. Previous attempts to complete the sweep of the Kennebec and Messalonskee rivers, which were also searched on January 11, had to be postponed because of stormy weather, said Adam.
Maine State Police spokesman Steven McCausland confirmed that several items -- a knife, a strongbox and a backpack -- were pulled from the water today and examined, but were determined to be unconnected to the toddler’s disappearance. McCausland reiterated today that investigators have “grave concerns that an abduction ever took place” but said “hope remains” they will bring Ayla home safe. McCausland said they remain in contact with DiPietro, but would not elaborate on what information Ayla’s father may have shared with authorities.
Police say Ayla’s father and the two other adults in the home Ayla when disappeared, DiPietro’s girlfriend Courtney Roberts, and his sister, Elisha DiPietro, have not given investigators the whole story about what happened that night. Today, Waterville Police Chief Joseph Massey said they are “absolutely convinced someone out there has information that could help us find Ayla.”
Chief Massey asked anyone with knowledge of what happened to Ayla to take advantage of the $30,000 reward and “give us the break we need.”
For the latest on this and other crime stories, watch "Nancy Grace" weeknights at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. EST on HLN.
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