Missing Maine toddler Ayla Reynolds is likely dead, police say

(CBS/AP) WATERVILLE, Maine - For the first time, law enforcement officials have said they believe missing toddler Ayla Reynolds is no longer alive. They made the announcement at a news conference Thursday about the Waterville child who was last seen in December.

Pictures: Maine Toddler Ayla Reynolds Missing

"It has been 166 days since she was reported missing from her home in Waterville, and the work and the investigation goes on," said Steve McCausland, spokesman for the Maine Department of Public Safety. "There will be more searches, more dives and more interviews. And we are in this for the long haul. This case will never close until Ayla is found."

Ayla was 20 months old when she was reported missing on Dec. 17 from her father's home. She was last seen with a cast on her broken left arm and wearing polka dot pajamas with the words "Daddy's Princess" on them.

Detectives called Ayla's parents prior to Thursday's news conference and delivered somber news that they no longer believe she will be found alive. McCausland told The Associated Press that police believe "foul play has been involved" and that "this is a criminal investigation."

Ayla's father, Justin DiPietro, said he thinks his daughter was abducted, but police said there's no evidence of that and no arrests have been made, according to the AP.

Officials also announced that a $30,000 reward for information on the case will expire June 30.

"To the person or persons responsible for her disappearance, we ask that you now come forward, accept responsibility for what you have done, show us that you are human and relieve yourself, Ayla's family and this community of this burden," said John Nale, a lawyer who led the effort to raise the reward money from local residents and businesses.

Complete coverage of Ayla Reynolds on Crimesider