Chicago Fire viewers were quick to notice a major absence during the November 12 fall finale. Stella Kidd, played by Miranda Rae Mayo, did

not appear in the episode, and fans immediately began asking the same question: Did Kidd leave the show? The short answer is yes—Mayo

has stepped away. But the better news is that this departure is temporary, not permanent.

 

 

In Season 14, Episode 6, Kidd focuses on Isaiah’s mother, who has suffered another serious medical setback. Kidd grows worried that her current rehab facility is not providing proper care. She spends most of the episode calling different centers, only to hear the same response over and over: long waiting lists, no available rooms.

 

 

Hope arrives when Kidd runs into Dr. Goodwin at Chicago Med. Goodwin recommends a facility that can offer the medical treatment Isaiah’s mother truly needs—but it is located in Cleveland. After thinking it through, Kidd decides to do what she always does: put family first. She arranges the transfer and tells Isaiah she will travel with him to Ohio so his mom can settle in safely.

Cleveland Calls — But for How Long?

 

Stella explains that she and Isaiah plan to stay in Cleveland for “a few weeks.” That sounds straightforward, but Chicago Fire rarely follows a strict timeline. Some episodes cover a single day, others jump ahead a week or more. That means “a few weeks” in the story could last two episodes, or it could stretch much longer.

 

 

It is worth noting that series regulars often miss between two and four episodes each season. This may be the show’s way of giving Miranda Rae Mayo a scheduled break without creating panic about a permanent exit.

The exact date of her return remains unknown, but viewers can relax: Stella Kidd is coming back. The writers have given her a grounded and compassionate reason to step away, one that honors her character’s history and deep commitment to people she cares about.

And when she returns, fans will not have to wonder if she is disappearing again. Stella Kidd will be back at Firehouse 51—stronger, wiser, and ready for whatever season 14 throws her way.