BIDDEFORD — Trista Reynolds, the mother of missing toddler Ayla Reynolds, held a public birthday vigil at Mechanics Park on Friday night, on what would have been Ayla’s 4th birthday.

Ayla was in the care of her father, Justin DiPietro, when DiPietro reported her missing from his Waterville home on Dec. 17, 2011. Investigators found blood inside the home, and concluded the child is no longer alive and was a victim of foul play. No one has been charged in relation to the alleged crime.

Last month, Reynolds asked investigators to bring child endangerment charges against DiPietro before the statute of limitations ends in December.

Reynolds said Friday night that she had to keep her faith and trust in the state police, because if she doesn’t remain positive toward them, she will not get justice.

Reynolds, who has two sons, a 3-year-old and an 8-month-old, said Friday’s vigil was the last public event she will hold for a while.

“I need to take a break for a little while,” said Reynolds. “There’s a lot of focusing I need to do at home.”

About 60 people gathered for the 6 p.m. vigil Friday, to give support to the Reynolds family and remember Ayla. Pizza, music and a princess-themed sheet cake were part of the event, and people stood in line to sign a giant card.

Danielle Greene, of Biddeford, brought her 2-year-old son Syles to the event and presented Reynolds with a birthday card they had made. Greene said she didn’t know Reynolds, but had been following the case. Her son is about the same age as Ayla was when she went missing, and she said she got teary-eyed thinking about what Reynolds and her family have been through.

Around 7 p.m., as the temperature dropped and raindrops began to fall, Reynolds said a prayer while others listened, candles in hand.

Then she let go of a balloon.

“Happy Birthday, princess,” she said as she watched it disappear into the sky.

— The Associated Press contributed to this story. Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 325 or egotthelf@journaltribune.com.