Father of missing Maine toddler Ayla Reynolds speaks out
(CBS/AP) WATERVILLE, Maine - The father of missing Maine toddler Ayla Reynolds has spoken out publicly for the first time, saying he hopes to tell whoever has her that "they have no right" to have taken her.
Justin DiPietro said Monday on NBC's "Today Show," that he wants to do anything he can to help bring back his 20-month-old daughter Ayla.
Pictures: Maine toddler Ayla Reynolds missing
Ayla Reynolds was reported missing on Dec. 17 after her father, DiPietro, discovered her missing from her bed. Authorities have declared her disappearance a crime.
DiPietro urged whoever took Ayla to return her to the family. "What you're doing isn't right. You may think what you're doing is right for Ayla, but it's not. You have no right. You're not her parent. She belongs home with her family," he said.
On Monday, state police were continuing to investigate the child's disappearance and had no public comment on DiPietro's remarks.
Stephen McCausland, spokesman for the Maine Department of Public Safety said, "We remain hopeful for Ayla's safe recovery."
Over the weekend, police scaled back the search for the missing girl. They also removed crime scene tape from the father's home.
Ayla Reynolds had been in her father's care when she disappeared. Her mother, Trista Reynolds of Portland, was in a substance abuse rehabilitation program, which she completed.
Trista Reynolds was with her other child, who was not feeling well, and did not want to talk to the media on Monday, her sister said. The entire family has been torn apart by Ayla's disappearance, said Jessica Reynolds, Trista's sister.
Jessica Reynolds says she understands that as more time passes, it is less likely that Ayla will be found unharmed, but she won't give up hope.
"I'm hoping my niece is not a statistic," she said. "I know that there's a 1 percent chance that she's alive. I just pray to God that's not the case here."
