Ayla Reynolds' uncle found guilty of assault | News

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) - The uncle of missing Maine toddler Ayla Reynolds has been convicted of assaulting another one of the little girl's relatives in a dispute sparked in part by her disappearance.

Lance DiPietro pleaded no contest Thursday and was automatically found guilty by a Kennebec County Superior Court judge. DiPietro was fined $300 as part of a plea deal.

DiPietro is the brother of Justin DiPietro, the father of Ayla, who was 20 months old when she was reported missing from her Waterville home Dec. 17.

Lance DiPietro was accused of assaulting Justin Linnell in February.

Linnell has a child with the DiPietros' sister.

The Morning Sentinel reports that Linnell said the dispute was sparked by comments he made about Ayla's disappearance as well as his relationship with the DiPietros' sister.