Deonna's mother, Lioubov "Luba" Shipman, has custody of her. Deonna was last seen on July 12, 2007 when her father, Jeffery Gerald Shipman, picked her up at her Liverpool, New York home for a court-appointed visitation period. He was supposed to return her the following afternoon, but never did, and neither of them have been heard from again. Jeffery is believed to have abducted his daughter. A federal felony warrant for kidnapping was issued for him on July 18, 2007.

Jeffery's greenish-silver 2000 Dodge Caravan with the New York license plate number BHG4492 was found abandoned at Rochester Airport a few days after Deonna's abduction. It was established that he flew to Heathrow Airport in London, England. He had purchased plane tickets to Germany, but never used them. He may still be in England or may have made it to Germany by another route. He has relatives in Ilion, New York. Police believe Jeffery carefully planned the kidnapping in advance. He doesn't like flying or big cities and he doesn't like to stand out.

Luba and Jeffery divorced shortly after Deonna's birth and had been fighting over custody of her since then. Luba was granted full custody shortly before Deonna's abduction; Jeffery got visitation on Wednesdays and on alternating weekends. Luba stated she is concerned for Deonna's safety. She says after Jeffery lost the custody battle, he said if he couldn't have his daughter than no one could. Luba suggested Jeffery may be armed and may be a danger to himself and others. Jeffery's mother describes her son as nonviolent and claims he was afraid Luba would take Deonna to Russia.

In October 2007, the remains of a young blonde girl were found in a trash bin along Galveston Bay in Texas. The dead child resembled Deonna and there was speculation that it was she, but authorities ruled out that possibility. The Galveston child was eventually identified as two-year-old Riley Ann Sawyers, whose mother and stepfather were charged with murder.

Deonna remains missing and her case is unsolved. She may be in danger.