Feb. 19--Richton Park residents Chris and Donna Shields say their daughter Sierra rarely missed a daily call to the family during her five years as a flight attendant.
But it's been more than a month since Sierra Shields called and, her parents say, since anyone has seen her.
The 30-year-old woman, who lives in the Astoria section of New York City's Queens borough, dropped out of sight at LaGuardia Airport on Jan. 17.
According to Donna Shields, her daughter's supervisor at Shuttle America said she hadn't seen her since Sierra asked to talk to a union representative.
Donna Shields said she and her husband are "still trying to determine" what the issue was. "Her supervisor doesn't know why; we don't know why," she said.
In the meantime, investigators continue to pore through LaGuardia's Jan. 17 recordings, with the most recent video showing Sierra Shields walking away "just before 12:30 p.m.," her father said.
New York City police did not respond to a request for comment, but on the Twitter account, NYPD Missing Persons, there is a tweet noting that Sierra Shields is missing.
Shields is a 2000 graduate of Rich South High School. She received a bachelor's degree in religious studies and business from Rochester College in Rochester Hills, Mich., and was pursuing a master's degree in religious education and missions at the time of her disappearance, her parents said.
Investigators found Shields' purse, wallet and identification, along with reading materials, in her apartment, her parents said.
"She was studying," Donna Shields said. "It looks like she just ran out (of the apartment) and was coming back."
Chris Shields said it's particularly perplexing that his daughter disappeared without a trace from a public facility.
"For her to go missing like this, at an airport ... you'd think somebody would've seen something," he said.
Hoping to get better information, the Shieldses are in New York, where they've been in contact with a New York police captain, they said.
Although the couple characterized the investigation as "very guarded," Donna Shields said the captain has been "just incredibly helpful."
"The biggest thing right now," Chris Shields said, "is we're hoping for leads and tips."
A $10,000 reward is being offered by the Teamsters union, which represents flight attendants.
"It is imperative that we find her," Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa said in a statement. "If anybody has information that can help us do this, we ask that he or she please come forward."
Hoffa asked anyone with information to call the NYPD Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-8477.
Information is also available on the Find Sierra Shields Facebook page and through the #findSierraNYC hashtag.
Donna Shields described her 5-foot-6 daughter as "an avid runner" who has competed in several half-marathons, and is strong enough to "carry her adult siblings."
She had, however, been sick with bronchitis, and was taking an over-the-counter medication as well as an antibiotic, Donna Shields said.
The Shieldses said their daughter had no current romantic involvement and her free time has included volunteering at a senior facility.
"She also enjoys cooking," Chris Shields said. "She enjoys people."
He noted Sierra Shields' two roommates recognized that in her.
He said, "They chose her as a roommate because it was like a breath of ... what was it ... ?"
"Life," Donna Shields said.
"Life," Chris Shields repeated. "She would cook a meal for everyone. She believes in living in community. If you have something, you share it."
Dennis Sullivan is a freelance reporter.
