Authorities in Illinois are searching for a pregnant U.S. postal worker who is missing in South Chicago.
The woman, Kierra Coles, 27, was last seen on Oct. 2 near her apartment in the Chatham neighborhood, according to the Chicago Police Department. The circumstances of her disappearance have her family gravely concerned for her safety.
“I’m too scared to feel anything,” Coles’ mother, Karen Phillips, told Chicago’s WMAQ-TV. “I don’t want to fear the worst.”
A neighbor’s surveillance camera captured Coles walking toward her vehicle on the day of her disappearance. Instead of getting inside it, police said, she turned and walked away.
Dan Perkins, who is dating Phillips, told WGN-TV in Chicago he believes Coles saw “something that made her turn around that fast and cross the street.”
Coles, who is three months pregnant, was dressed in her U.S. Postal Service uniform at the time her disappearance. A spokesperson for the USPS told WGN-TV she called in sick to work that day. It’s unclear if that call was placed before or after she was last seen.
What happened to Coles after she walked away from her apartment is unknown. Her family reported her missing on Oct. 4.
Phillips told WMAQ-TV that authorities found Coles’ purse and cellphone inside her vehicle, which was still parked on the street outside her apartment. Searches of the area have failed to turn up additional leads, police said.
Coles’ older sister, Kimberly Phillips, told Chicago’s WBBM Newsradio that Coles is a responsible adult who’s excited about giving birth to her first child.
“It’s not like she’s on drugs,” Kimberly Phillips said. “She worked her butt off.”
Authorities have not yet said whether they have interviewed the father of Coles’ child.
The National Association of Letter Carriers is offering a $3,500 reward for information in the case.
Karen Phillips told WMAQ-TV her daughter has never gone more than a day without talking to her.
“It’s just sickening to wake up and not hear nothing,” Karen Phillips said. “It’s just not like her.”
Coles is described as 5 feet, 4 inches tall and 125 pounds. She has a tattoo of a heart on her right hand and the phrase “Lucky Libra” tattooed on her back.
Her father, Joseph Coles, traveled to Chicago from Racine, Wisconsin, on Tuesday.
“If anybody knows anything, please call in, let us know,” he told Chicago’s WLS-TV. “We love her [and] we miss her.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Chicago Police Special Victims Unit at 312-747-8274 or 1-800-UTELLUS.
Send David Lohr an email or follow him on Facebook and Twitter.
Support HuffPost
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
At HuffPost, we believe that everyone needs high-quality journalism, but we understand that not everyone can afford to pay for expensive news subscriptions. That is why we are committed to providing deeply reported, carefully fact-checked news that is freely accessible to everyone.
Whether you come to HuffPost for updates on the 2024 presidential race, hard-hitting investigations into critical issues facing our country today, or trending stories that make you laugh, we appreciate you. The truth is, news costs money to produce, and we are proud that we have never put our stories behind an expensive paywall.
Would you join us to help keep our stories free for all? Your contribution of as little as $2 will go a long way.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you’ll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.