LEWISTON – State and local police were continuing the search this week for a pregnant woman last seen more than two weeks ago.

Following leads in the disappearance of 38-year-old Donna Paradis, police said a troubling silence has lingered since the search began. As of Wednesday, Paradis had not contacted friends or family. She had not picked up her paychecks or used her credit cards.

“The concern grows deeper the longer she remains missing,” said police Sgt. David St. Pierre, head of the department’s criminal investigation division.

Police said Paradis was last seen Oct. 23 when she left a job at an East Avenue telemarketing company. Police have questioned co-workers at Affiliated Computer Services as well as those at the Sun Journal, where Paradis worked nights.

On Wednesday night, a pair of supervisors at ACS declined to speak about Paradis, saying company policy prohibits it.

Friends at the Sun Journal said the night before Paradis disappeared, she complained of a medical problem possibly related to her pregnancy. They also said she appeared agitated as a co-worker took her to Central Maine Medical Center.

“She was very nervous,” said Sandra Bruno, customer service manager at the newspaper. “She didn’t even wait for me to take my foot off the brake before she jumped out of the car.”

That was the last time any of her co-workers from the Sun Journal saw Paradis. Police said there was no indication that she ever went into the hospital seeking medical treatment.

“I haven’t heard a thing,” said Thomas Paradis, Donna’s ex-husband, who reported her missing. “It wasn’t like her to just take off.”

Paradis does not own a car, according to those who know her. She often walked to work but avoided Kennedy Park at night. Occasionally, she took a city bus from her her job at ACS back to downtown Lewiston. She typically got rides home from co-workers at the end of her shift.

“She walked an awful lot,” said Amy Lanois, a friend and colleague at the Sun Journal. “She would take the bus from her other job and then walk here from the bus station. She told me she was trying to buy a car from somebody.”

St. Pierre said his department is still in the process of interviewing the people close to Paradis and searching locations she was known to frequent. Maine State Police have joined the investigation at the request of the Lewiston department.

As they search for Paradis, police are also examining the circumstances of her personal life.

Earlier this year, Paradis was divorced from Thomas after a 10-year marriage. In the spring, she flew to Syria, a country in the Middle East, where she married a man she had met on the Internet, according to friends and family members.

They said Paradis was pregnant when she came back to the United States but her new husband remained in Syria.

“She didn’t talk about that a lot,” Lanois said. “She was friendly, but she was quiet. She did her job.”

Police said Paradis’ ex-husband, who lives in the area, contacted them about the disappearance. Investigators have spoken with that man, as well as with Paradis’ two children, in an effort to locate her.

Paradis has daughters 12 and 17 years old whom she lives with at 143 Pierce St. Friends said she is seven months pregnant and that she is typically faithful about letting her family know when there will be a change to her routine.

“She usually gives me a call to let me know where she is,” said Paradis’ 17-year-old daughter, Jeanette.

While there was no immediate hint of foul play, police said they are hoping to hear from anyone who might have seen the missing woman.

Police agencies across Maine and around the country have been advised of the disappearance. Investigators were asking that anyone with information call Lewiston police at 513-3138 or their local police department.