Ayla Reynolds Update: Grandfather Questions Missing Toddler's Father Justin DiPietro

The grandfather of a child who went missing exactly two months ago claims the girl's father didn't do enough to protect her.

“That eats me up every day,” Ron Reynolds maternal grandfather of Ayla Reynolds, told the Associated Press on Thursday. “Why didn’t they protect her? Why didn’t he protect her? He was responsible for her safety and welfare.”

Reynolds' father Justin DiPietro reported the 20-month-old girl missing just before 9 a.m., on Dec. 17, 2011. DiPietro told authorities in Waterville, Maine that he found an empty bed when he went to wake the child. Police say DiPietro, his girlfriend and his sister were all at the home on the night of the disappearance.

The elder Reynolds also says his family is being torn apart because key people in the case, including DiPietro, have not been forthcoming in the ongoing police investigation.

Earlier this week, the girl's mother, Trista Reynolds, told media outlets that she intended to sue the Maine State Department of Health and Human Services for failing to complete mandatory background checks and visits to the home where her child stayed. At the time, Trista Reynolds was completing a rehabilitation program.

Local authorities as well as investigators with the Maine State Police are continuing search efforts for the child. Earlier this month, dive teams returned to waters near Reynolds' home to search for her body. Billboards are also being posted on the toddler's behalf throughout the greater-New Englad region.

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Comments

[njc9452]

05:52 PM on 03/10/2012

Something just doesn't seem right about either parent of the missing girl. Every time I have ever seen video footage of them I thought they just seem so casual for someone whose child is missing, as if they were discussing a lost dog or something

[mkpbos]

10:37 AM on 02/20/2012

-Sue the state of Maine Dept. of Health & Human Services for negligence!!!
Putting a child in the hands of a monster like Justin is unconscionable.
-Up the ante on the REWARD and one of the "friends" will sing! The $$ will be too tempting.
Many people know what happened and it's just a matter of time before someone's guilt eats them up-
God bless Ayla.

[rlaney582]

05:19 PM on 02/17/2012

Where did they put her body?
She obviously didn't walk away...
these people must think they are really clever..no doubt are without any conscience...
If anyone can harm an innocent beautiful child, they will also have no problelm looking you in the eye and lie....