Family Offering Reward To Bring Missing Mom Home
CONWAY, N.H. (CBS/AP) - The sister of a Maine woman whose infant daughter was found in a car in New Hampshire says she believes her sister persuaded the person who forced her from her vehicle to leave the child behind.
A car belonging to 20-year-old Krista Dittmeyer of Portland was found Saturday with its engine running and hazard lights flashing in the Cranmore Mountain ski area parking lot in Conway.
Police say there is nothing to indicate Dittmeyer left the area voluntarily. They are investigating the case as a possible crime. The Dittmeyer family is offering a $3,000 reward for information in Krista Dittmeyer's disappearance.
Police said Monday afternoon that they are draining a nearby pond in an attempt as a precaution. They say they do not have a reason to believe Dittmeyer is in the pond, but it is too murky to see in it and they want to rule out any possibilities.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Karen Twomey reports
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Kayla Dittmeyer, the missing woman's sister, told The Portland Press Herald her sister will talk her way through whatever she is going through.
Dittmeyer's mother, Lanell Shackley, talked with WBZ-TV's Karen Anderson saying her daughter is very outgoing, very strong willed, and Dittmeyer's daughter is Dittmeyer's whole life.
"It's hell. My heart is broken. It's very hard," said Shackley, who added her 14-month-old granddaughter seems to be confused and clings to her grandmother.
Police have been interviewing potential witnesses, but they do not have any leads on the whereabouts of Krista Dittmeyer.
WBZ-TV's Christina Hager reports.
Police executed two search warrants on Dittmeyer's car and another car authorities seized in North Conway. The state police mobile crime lab was called to Conway to analyze evidence in those cars.
Authorities are trying to get another search warrant for Dittmeyer's cell phone records.
"We want to make sure people have an accurate picture of her and her vehicle in hopes that it will jog their memory and that they may have a tip that is important," said Lt. Chris Perley of Conway Police. He urged anyone with any information, whether they think it trivial, call Conway Police. The department can be reached at 603-356-5715.
Lt. Perley said he would not speculate on Dittmeyer's condition. "I would just hope that she is safe or sound and that we can reunite her with her family," he said.
Dittmeyer's friends have planned a candelight vigil in her hometown of Bridgton, Maine Tuesday night. It will be at 8 p.m. at the Stevensbrook Elementary School.
WBZ-TV's Karen Anderson contributed to this report.
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