In a statement released Wednesday, the father of a missing Maine toddler said it was “simply ludicrous” to suggest that he would harm his daughter and he insisted that he is cooperating fully with authorities.

It was the second time Justin DiPietro has issued a statement on 20-month-old Ayla Reynolds’ disappearance since he reported her missing from his home on December 17. Police announced earlier this week that they are confident that someone took Ayla from his house, but they do not know who or under what circumstances. No suspects have been named in the case.

DiPietro’s statement, which was distributed by Waterville police, said, “I have not participated in any interviews for I don’t want to in any way hinder the investigation. However it is important that people hear it from me personally that I have no idea what happened to Ayla and that I am not hiding.”

Ayla’s mother, Trista Reynolds, alleged on “Nancy Grace” last week that the girl sometimes had bruises when she returned from visits with DiPietro—and Ayla did break her arm while in his care a few weeks before she went missing—but he denied causing any injuries to her in the statement.

“I would never do anything to hurt my child,” he said. “The questions of Ayla's arm or bruises or anything else being said are simply ludicrous. I would never want anyone to spend even a minute in my shoes. No should ever have to experience this. It has affected me in more ways than you can imagine.”

He urged whoever has his daughter to bring her back safely and thanked everyone who has participated in the search.

In an interview on NBC’s “Today Show” Thursday, Trista Reynolds said she was “still in shock” over what DiPietro said in the statement. She claimed he has refused to speak to her since the disappearance and said she did not know if he was involved in whatever happened to Ayla.

“He said he’s not in hiding, but why won’t he come out? Why won’t he talk to me? Why is he staying away?” she asked.

Waterville police announced Wednesday that the Maine Warden Service was ceasing their large-scale search operations, but their resources will continue to be available to local authorities as needed. Police had received approximately 370 tips in the case as of Wednesday afternoon. A $30,000 reward is being offered for information leading to Ayla’s location.