Missing Maine woman's family to offer reward

The mother of Megan Waterman, a Maine woman who disappeared from a Hauppauge hotel five months ago, is hoping a reward will entice people to come forward with information- even if the news is tragic.

"It's hard to say because I'm her mother, but I don't care how they find her," Lorraine Ela said Friday. "We just want closure on this whether it's going to come out good or come out bad."

Waterman, 22, advertised as an escort on Craigslist, police said, and was last seen June 6 at the Holiday Inn Express, 2040 Express Dr. South, where she had gone with her boyfriend.

Waterman's family, with the help of supporters, is putting together a Nov. 13 dinner and silent auction at the First Congregational Church in South Portland, Maine, and hope to raise at least $5,000. "We have jewelry that was donated, stained glass, artwork, and gift certificates," Ela said. "They're from friends and family and total strangers."

Waterman is described as 5-foot-5 and 145 pounds, with brown eyes and brown or bleached blond hair. She has a birthmark on the inside of her right forearm, a mole on the right side of her face and tattoos on her back and left forearm.

Waterman has not contacted her family since her disapearance, Ela said, and in the past, even when she was gone only a few days, she would call to check on Liliana, her 4-year-old daughter.

"She was a single mom, trying to support her daughter," Ela said. "A big part of me says that she's not with us anymore, but I have that little bit of hope that she is."