Ayla Reynolds, 20 mos. Maine missing

[Lady Cop]

Kennebec Journal
Divers from the Maine Warden Service are in the water this morning searching for 21-month-old Ayla Reynolds.
According to a news release from Department of Public Safety Spokesman Steve McCausland, the search area is the Kennebec River from the Hathaway Creative Center to the Carter Memorial Bridge, roughly a half-mile of cold, swift-moving water.

Divers suited up this morning at 9 a.m. under clear skies and temperature in the midteens.

Justin DiPietro, Ayla's father, said he learned about the search on Tuesday.

"I spoke with investigators last night. They said, 'Don't be alarmed,'" DiPietro told the Morning Sentinel in a brief conversation.

Mike Joy, a dive team leader with the warden service said the weather, albeit cold, will aid the search.

Sunlight should be able to penetrate the relatively shallow water and provide visibility of 10 to 15 feet, he said.

A press conference is scheduled for 2:30 p.m., McCausland said.