A reward being offered for information that helps find a missing pregnant postal worker has climbed to $25,000 as search efforts near a third week.
Kierra Coles, who is three months pregnant, disappeared from her South Side Chicago home on Oct. 2, according to authorities. Police have not yet said if they believe foul play was involved, but her family said they have been unable to reach Coles or her boyfriend since they reported her missing 13 days ago.
"It's just like a recurring nightmare," said Coles' mother Karen Phillips. "I wake up and it's the same thing all day and night."
Every day Coles' parents come to the 8100 block of Vernon, where their daughter was last seen. They had out fliers and talk to residents.
"I'm not leaving until they bring my baby home," said her father Joseph Phillips.
So far, there are few clues in the disappearance. Her mother says that her daughter is excited about becoming a new mom and loves her job and her family. She has been with her boyfriend for five years.
According to authorities, surveillance video shows Coles, dressed for work,walking near her South Side home on Oct. 2. Just hours later, she was reported missing by her family, and they have not heard from her since.
Her car was found parked on that block with her purse and cell phone still inside, authorities said.
"I'm too scared to feel anything," her mother Karen Phillips said. "I don't want to fear the worst."
Phillips says she talks to her daughter every day, but she got worried after not hearing from her.
"It's just not like her to do something like this," Phillips said.
Coles stands 5-foot-4 and weighs 125 pounds, according to a missing person alert. Anyone with information on her whereabouts is encouraged to call Chicago police Detective Joyner or Micetich at 312-747-8274, or to call 1-800-UTELLUS.
The reward for the missing letter carrier is being offered by the postal inspection service.
