WATERVILLE – Police have denied a request by the Morning Sentinel for an audio recording and a written transcript of the 911 call in which Ayla Reynolds was reported missing, saying it could hinder the investigation.

Last week, a Morning Sentinel reporter submitted a written request to police. On Wednesday, Deputy Chief Charles Rumsey responded by letter, saying the police denied it “after consultation with City Solicitor William Lee and careful consideration.”

Ayla Reynolds was reported missing at 8:51 a.m. Dec. 17 in a 911 call, according to police records. During a press conference on Dec. 18, Police Chief Joseph Massey said Ayla’s father, Justin DiPietro, placed the call.

The girl, who is 21 months old, has not been seen since.

One statute cited by Rumsey says audio recordings are confidential but the information in them is public and transcripts must be released, although names, addresses, telephone numbers and medical conditions must be removed.

Rumsey said the information in the 911 call constitutes “intelligence and investigative information.” Keeping the information confidential helps police determine the trustworthiness of tips and sources, he said.

“If we know information hasn’t been reported publicly, we can have a higher degree of confidence that the person we’re talking to knows what they’re talking about and isn’t regurgitating what they’ve seen in the news or on a comment forum or on a blog,” he said.

Sigmund Schutz, counsel to MaineToday Media on media law, said Lee’s reasoning is sound but the law compels police to offer a fuller explanation for their decision.

Morning Sentinel Staff Writer Ben McCanna can be contacted at 861-9239 or at:

bmccanna@centralmaine.com