Ayla Reynolds’ Mother To Have Her Daughter Declared Dead

The mother of missing child Ayla Reynolds is starting the process of having her missing daughter declared dead.

20-month old Ayla Reynolds was reported missing from her father's Waterville home on the morning of December 17th, 2011. Justin DiPietro told authorities that the toddler wasn't in her bed in the morning, and he believed that she'd been abducted. Also in the home at the time were DiPietro's then-girlfriend Courtney Roberts of Portland, Robert's son, DiPietro's sister Alisha, and her daughter.

The disappearance sparked the largest missing person search in state history, but there was no sign of Ayla. A search of the house turned up evidence of Ayla's blood in the basement that led police to believe that the toddler had probably died as a result of foul play and that the people who were there the night she disappeared are withholding information.

Now, Ayla's mother, Trista Reynolds, is starting the process of having her daughter declared deceased, in order to preserve the right to file civil claims in the future. She said in a post on her website:

"We have to officially and legally receive a declaration of her passing to take the first step to hold those accountable for baby Ayla's demise."

Police say the move will not affect the criminal investigation, which is ongoing. Anyone who thinks they have any information about what happened the night Ayla disappeared is urged to call the State Police at (207) 624-7076.