WATERVILLE, Maine — Questions are mounting after a pile of stuffed animals and toys honoring missing toddler Ayla Reynolds was removed on Tuesday.
People had been leaving keepsakes on the front lawn of Justin DiPietro’s home on Violette Avenue, where 20-month-old Ayla was reported missing on Dec. 17.
“I’m just as curious as everyone else right now,” said Trista Reynolds, Ayla’s mother, who lives in Portland. “I did text Justin [after being notified the shrine was missing by a reporter] and asked him who did it? He never texted me back.”
A phone message left for DiPietro by the Bangor Daily News was not immediately returned.
Charles Rumsey, Waterville’s deputy police chief, said no one from the residence reported anything missing.
“We have not received a call or complaint from that residence,” said Rumsey, who said he became aware of the shrine’s removal when questioned by reporters. “For us, it boils down to the fact that it’s private property. If those property owners choose to launch a complaint, we’ll investigate that.”
“I thought it was wrong,” added Trista Reynolds, regarding the shrine’s removal.
The shrine removal comes just days after a $30,000 reward offered for information leading to an arrest in Ayla’s disappearance expired. The reward, which was offered by Waterville-area businesses, expired on June 30.
“First the reward was taken away and now this,” said Trista Reynolds.
Police continue to investigate the toddler’s disappearance more than six months after Ayla last was seen.
Just a matter of time before they catch the person, or persons who did this… Do you think the cops are stupid… They know who did this… Just give them a little time to finish up there work..
I really hope they do soon! I check on here everyday to see if there has been any progress. It must be hard for the police as well, since most of them have children themselves. God Bless Ayla… You are in many peoples thoughts and prayers!
I also check on here, if not daily, then at least weekly, to see if there has been any progress on poor Ayla’s case :(
… Do you think the cops are stupid…
Is this a trick question??
I wish I shared your optimism, but I don’t. They cops can’t close the deal on this one. They’re stuck.
I believe that the cops will solve this case and are building a strong case so the murderer Justin Dipietro does not “walk”. They want solid evidence and they may want Ayla’s remains found to seal a conviction. Although I think they have a strong circumstantial case as well.
Do you have some evidence to prove your allegation that Justin Dipietro is a murderer? If so, you should take it to the police; if not, you should check the law books for penalties regarding libel. You don’t know for a certainty, anymore than anyone else does, that Justin murdered his child.
No but common sense dictates she did not murder herself and she was in his care.
LOL
there were 3 people in the house that night. ONE of them knows if not all three know I am amazed they have kept it secret for sooo long.
I’m not at all cause they would all go under. I’m sure everyone in that house has witnessed something.. and now the police can get them on charges, for not reporting this.
Police can charge them with removing a shrine off their own property? Do you understand what private property means?
Most people that have lost a little child would not move these things until they simply rotted away! Memories of a sweet baby girl!—-Or is it that you don’t feel that way?
I’m talking on behalf of the theory that the father took the shrine off his property like oronowoman believes. If he chooses to take a shrine off his property it’s his business. This article is the most rediculous read because it is trying to point fingers on ZERO information. And yes Haggerty is my real last name. Just because I have the same FIRST NAME as a suspect of a case does not mean my name correlates to the fact that I’m a criminal.
“This article is the most rediculous read because it is trying to point fingers on ZERO information.”
I didn’t read it that way. The article did no finger-pointing. If reporters seek a comment and receive no reply, they will take a comment from someone else. Justin had a chance to speak up. He didn’t, so Trista’s opinion and the comment from Chief Rumsey were printed.
The fact that this article connects NOTHING to the case of Alya’s disapparence is enough proof. I’m all for media attention on this case to keep the public searching, however, this just points fingers in all the wrong directions.
Sorry, I still don’t see any finger-pointing. Maybe you could point me towards a particular paragraph or sentence?
In my opinion, ANYTHING about Ayla, anything that brings her picture to the paper again, is worth printing. Does it have to relate to her disappearance? Besides, isn’t anything relating to Ayla at this point connected to her disappearance? We have nothing left of a little girl but things. When something happens to those things, it’s newsworthy even if only to bring Ayla’s picture back once more.
I agree. So some stuffed animals are gone. So what? Everybody is looking for something. Anything to do with this case. Good God, does anyone actually listen to themselves anymore?
IMO, people are mostly upset about the shrine being gone. People have mostly made up their minds about who they think is involved/what they think happened and they’ll use anything to support their theories.
But, to me anyways, it is just wrong to take that down. A baby girl is gone. Some sort of reminder of her would be nice.
Maybe the family is trying to say “See things go missing here.”
I personally wouldn’t want all that stuff on my lawn rotting in the weather and would have donated it to a childrens home, with no disrespect meant to the thoughtful and kind hearted givers. But I would have asked for these good people to donate the money instead to a lost childrens organization in my childs name, maybe rename the street after her.
Why do you think she was missing that night? She missed a doctors appointment for her broken arm a day or so before this “kidnapping” happened.
I personally think she was gone before that night.
Something else missing? Some people simply get rid of things they feel are in their way!
like shrines and little girls
Right!
Someone was complaining about the stuffed animals 2 weeks ago,I had a feeling they would be gone soon,Who else would complain,and ask How would Trista like moldy stuffed animals thrown on her lawn,then the animals disappear? they made it sound like people put them there to anger them,that is not why people put them there,they were for Ayla.You know your missing Child,really you couldnt leave one candle to show your thinking about her? SAD
Oh yes. Let’s all make a fuss about a damn shrine when we should be more worried about where the actual little girl herself is!
People HAVE worried where Ayla is and we still DO! This is just another thing to add to her
disappearance now her keepsakes people left her. Its just kind of odd that the reward has expired now her toys disappeared. I really hope someone will come forward even anonymously!
My two cents: someone in this family knows something about what was done to Ayla, and given the lack of committment and/or consideration between any of them, someone, someday, is going to spill what they know, accidently or on purpose, for good or for ill. Meanwhile, the person/people who do know should be experiencing a lot of guilt eating away at them, even if they have no conscience or remorse, the stress of being scrutinized constantly is wearing on them, what they did is unforgivable. There were too many people in that house for it not to come to light sooner or later. Loyalty amongst liars and thieves lasts as long as the drug,s or whatever the attractions may be, continue. And I doubt that will be long.
Unfortunately in this case, loyalty among family sometimes lasts for much longer.
If I lived closer, I would ask the neighbors across the street if I could start a new shrine there. Just to keep it in Justin’s face!
Not a bad idea at all…
I imagine that after months of reporters and TV trucks invading their neighborhood, they are quite happy to see the shrine go away as well.
Other than the removal of the shine, how exactly have some stuffed animals kept the media “invading” their neighborhood? I have a feeling it’s the missing little girl and not the missing teddy bears.
If my child were missing, I’d greet the reporters and TV crews with arms wide open. Several children go missing daily and never even make the national news. If my child were in harms way or missing, I’d do naked cartwheels in the street to get attention for them. Point being, you don’t try to keep the attention away from you unless you are (ready for this?) hiding something.
I like the way you think!
This is a good idea………….maybe some nearby neighbors will offer a spot on a lawn to continue this………..
Yes, like the neighbors across the street to set up a shrine for Ayla. And with items that would not be damaged by weather. Wouldn’t that be something. Something for Justin Dipietro to look at each day when he comes out of his hiding cave.
The $30k reward would not be worth spending the rest of your life in prison. IF one of those 3 folks knew something, one is not going to rat on the other for the money and risk a life in prison. They will go to their graves knowing but not telling.
Actually, I’ve heard Policemen/women say most of these types of crimes are solved when someone who played a lesser role decides to “tell all” in exchange for immunity from prosecution. It usually happens when there is a break-up between lovers, or a family schism. It might take a while, but I believe this is how we will (someday) find out who is responsible for the disappearance of this little angel.
randyo4401 you said it perfect! he dont want to be reminded of her every time he leaves the murder scene and evertime he returns to the murder scene. its obvious who it was no complaint filled???? if it were me i would of never done this.look in his bedroom maybe thats where he hides everything….
Seems someone is getting close to cracking. Otherwise, the memorial would still be there. It was a daily reminder of Ayla’s disappearance and the secrets they have to keep.
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One key difference is that the young man who died in your pasture was not your 2 year old child.
That was a car accident and like you just pointed out “your” property. This is Justin’s daughter and his property. This shrine is for hope, hope for a toddler to be returned home safely. To me it seems to be a blatant disregard for the Ayla for this shrine to come down. It only affects heartless people… People do not just MOVE on when it comes to a missing toddler. I found your post to be in very poor taste.
WOW! Jump down this guys throat because he stated his opinion.
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Rename Violette Avenue to Aylas Place. That won’t be removed,should make everyone happy.
I understand where you would of removed it, the victim actually died and yes you would move on after time, but this situation is different, she hasnt been found yet so people are using the shrine as a hope that something will come of it. Maybe she will come back or more information will come out.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ayla-Reyno… There is a new shrine set up for Ayla
The page is coming up as not found. Maybe a typo or broken link? I bum about facebook-I usually cannot open anything where I am not a member…
Not working for me either. The link is broken. :/
https://www.facebook.com/AylaReynoldsLaurieBingham
you can look on Laurie Bingham facebook wall page and it say the new shrine is near giffords icecream!
The only one I know of is on Broadway in Bangor…[Like I said] I don’t use facebook and can’t look. Is that the right one? I want these people to be reminded everywhere they look. ;(
I couldn’t figure which Gifford’s it is either. There is one in Waterville. I live in Bangor, we should start one by Gifford’s on Broadway <3
“First the reward was taken away and now this.” They are just trying to make people forget as quickly as possible. We all are pretty sure we know what happened…
sometime it has opposite affect. If the person thinks everyone has moved on, than they do to the same and in turn say or do something to screw something up, right now the person is being watched. the case is still on spectacle, so they are being careful, when they think people arent watching anymore, they are going to try and “clean” up so that is when the police will catch them.
It would be horrible if he disappeared….cold day in hell, Anthony repeat.
i just dont get it if he is innocent he doesnt seem to be bothered with being badgered by the public, and just ignores it all what a guy,…… if he really didnt do it he isnt publicly trying to find ayla and showing people he is innocent,….. what a guy….. either way he looks guilty. Either guilty in he did kill his daughter, or guilty in he doesnt have the testicles big enough to get off his butt and go look for his little girl. I am pretty sure she doesnt know how to pick up a phone and call for help. This whole thing makes me angry and if I were a dad, I would be on his front lawn in 2 point 2 with my fists ready to do the talking.
Please keep Ayla in the papers. Even though every time I see her bubbly smiling face my heart breaks.
Hope they have enough evidence to get a conviction very soon! It will come, I know………patience…………….
I think I have an idea of what happened, while everyone was sleeping, the stuffed animals got up, lit the candles and walked off in the middle of the night.
well maybe if daddy gets a huge as….. bill then he will come clean about a few things. Make him pay for all the time and eff0rt that has been put into this case. I still say find a truth syrum that wont lie.
I bet the police won’t be able to find the missing shrine anymore than they did Ayla.
Frankly I wouldn’t want a bunch of wet moldy stuffed animals on my front lawn, even if they were intended as a “shrine” by the people who placed them there.
I particularly would not want those animals there if I were being accused (without evidence) of a crime, and believed the “shrine” was placed there to intimidate me.
Actually people have a huge nerve placing ANYTHING on the property of another without permission.
I liked Maine better when it had a Yankee spirit.
I feel terrible for Ayla, but how important was this shrine, really? I mean, did people expect it to stay there forever?
Only until she is found.
They never found a body. A normal parent would still hope their baby girl was found alive. Taking down the shrine is like giving up hope or perhaps there never was hope in that house because they know what happened.
If it were my daughter, or even if it were just my yard with Ayla’s shrine, I’d keep it up until she was found. Regularly removing moldy toys, but never completely giving up on her return.
I think whats more important here is start pressuring those in that house.. But also its time we as tax payers start pressuring the state police. Steve mcausland has come out and said he knows ayla is not alive, he has said about all this stuff they have found they believe is related but wating for the crime lab to finish. Well folks that was over a month and a half ago it is time they are held accountable anf if they cannot figure it out then its time to hire more experienced investigators. With all that being said i would like to know why justins g/f and sister is still allowed to keep their kids? Unless mccausland was grasping for straws when he says those three know more than they are saying?
You can’t take someones kids just because you think they know more then they’re saying, we still live in America bud.
Ahh dexter.those kids could be in danger. Its also called obstruction of justice. So yes we live in america which have laws.
Obstruction of justice? How do you know this? are you a witness?
Obstruction of justice must be proven (like any other charge) saying you know nothing, when that in fact may be true, is NOT obstruction.
You need to return to law school. You didn’t get it the first time.
Isn’t it time to drop all the BS and just find Ayla either way. She is the main focus here, not Justin and crew or the shrine. The little cherrub face that is put in every article about her. Please find her and bring her home. She deserves that.
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Duh, this isn’t rocket science, the DiPietros removed it. They are scum.
It must be easier to forget what you don’t want to remember in this case when all remnants that Ayla ever existed have disappeared. What a shame!
Justin, possible, just saying. Drove through there today and noticed that the stuff was missing. sad
I hope they try to figure out where these toys were thrown out when he got rid of them. Might point them in the right direction?
A new shrine was made for Ayla at a different location,on private property.Someone came in the night and stole everything, The Justice for Ayla sign,Teddy Bears,Everything gone!