Police in Houston are trying to track down a California woman who checked her luggage for her flight, left her phone and credit cards at the airport, then took a cab and disappeared.
Danielle Becker Friedland, 36, from the Bay Area city of Piedmont, had been undergoing mental health treatment for six weeks at the well-known Menninger Clinic in Houston.
She was fired and the day before Thanksgiving she was supposed to fly home to her husband Jordan and their two children, ages two and five.
Friedland, 6 feet tall and weighing 100 pounds, was last seen at the airport but never boarded her flight.
Danielle Becker Friedland, 36, was last seen at the Houston airport on Wednesday
The 36-year-old, who stands five feet tall and weighs more than 100 pounds, was last seen in this photo at the airport after leaving her luggage, phone and credit cards behind.
Jordan Friedland has traveled to Texas to help search for his wife
She wore a blue and orange striped puffa jacket, dark trousers, a black backpack and a beaded bracelet.
She left her luggage, phone and credit cards behind and took a debit card and $160 cash with her when she took a taxi.
Jordan Friedland traveled to Texas — his first time in the state — to try to help the search local news station KHOU that there had been several unconfirmed sightings of her, but nothing certain.
He said they focused on homeless encampments in the city after she pointed them out, and worked with homeless shelters, churches and community groups.
“My biggest fear, honestly, is Dani’s safety,” he said.
“One of the scariest things for me is that Dani doesn’t know Houston. She has no friends or family here. She doesn’t have her luggage, her credit cards or her phone and I can’t imagine how scary that must be.”
Friedland had spent six weeks in Texas and was being treated at a mental health facility
Friedland’s husband described her as a wonderful mother to their two children, ages two and five
Dani Friedland’s friends and family are trying to find her in Houston
Jordan Friedland and his friends and family have been scouring the streets of Houston
Jordan Friedland said he has reached out to homeless charities and churches for help, as well as police
He and Dani met fifteen years ago, when they were both students at the University of Michigan.
He added: ‘We have a two-year-old and a five-year-old and she is the best mum in the world and their world won’t be the same without her.’
The Menninger Clinic said they were saddened by the news but could not share details about her condition.
“We are aware of reports of this unfortunate event,” the clinic said in a statement.
“Due to patient confidentiality, we cannot confirm the status of any patient or provide information without the patient’s consent.
‘We are deeply saddened by this situation and our thoughts go out to the family. We all hope for her safe return.”
Jordan and Dani Friedland are seen with their child
The Friedlands are depicted on their wedding day. They met as students at the University of Michigan
Jordan and Dani Friedland are pictured with their two children
The couple met 15 years ago and now live in the Bay Area of California
Friends and family have flown to Houston to assist in the search.
On Tuesday, the group searched along Buffalo Bayou near Memorial Park after receiving a tip.
They plan to resume the search in the same area on Wednesday.
“Any help we can get would be extremely helpful,” said Will True, a family friend.
“There are many family and friends who have flown in from all over the country to find Dani and make sure she is safe.”