PORTLAND, Maine - A judge has granted the mother of a missing Maine toddler an extension to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the child's father. The attorney for Trista Reynolds says he plans to publish a legal notice soon in the Morning Sentinel newspaper since efforts to locate Justin DiPietro in person have been unsuccessful.
The judge ruled Tuesday that Reynolds has 60 days to publish the notice and leave a copy of the complaint at DiPietro's last known address in California.
DiPietro reported then 20-month-old Ayla Reynolds missing in 2011 in Waterville.
State police believe the girl is dead, and a judge declared her legally dead in 2017.
The body has never been found and no charges have been filed.
